NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS: A BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE TRENDS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21704/rea.v22i2.2095Keywords:
nature-based solutions, green infrastructure, blue infrastructure, ecological engineering, ecosystem-based adaptation, ecosystem-based mitigation, bibliometricsAbstract
Nature-based Solutions (NbS) is a research topic that is becoming recently of more interest due to its international initiatives. Here, we developed a bibliometric analysis using open-source software to better understand the trends in themes within the international research production. We searched the literature using the database Scopus from 2016 (year of official NbS definition by the International Union for Conservation of Nature), to 2023 and found 293 documents that comprise articles, book chapters, reviews, conference papers and scientific notes, among others. The documents’ review process was conducted through the use of an open-source software to obtain trends and science mapping graphics. We analyzed the scientific production related to authors, keywords, institutions, and countries to uncover the trends in the NbS research area. The findings indicated that from 2016-2023, NbS research had a 77.72% annual increase rate, an average of 11.43 citations per document and a 43.69% rate of international collaboration. Climate change, ecosystem services, and biodiversity were broad and transversal themes, while other themes such as water management, land use and stakeholder participation evolved to become more specialized and integrative of new approaches and methods, along with these transversal themes. Finally, the potential gaps or directions could be fulfilled with the use of new technologies like artificial intelligence and evolution in specific themes like water security and hydrometeorological hazards in more integrative ways.
Downloads
References
Acosta E.A., Cho S.-J., Klemz C., Reapple J., Barreto S., Ciasca B.S., León J., Rogéliz-Prada C.A. & Bracale H. 2023. Biophysical Benefits Simulation Modeling Framework for Investments in Nature-Based Solutions in São Paulo, Brazil. Water Supply System. Water, 15(4): 681. DOI: 10.3390/w15040681.
Akoumianaki I. & Pakeman R. 2023. Scoping review: what is the state of knowledge on the role of biodiversity in the design, delivery and benefits of Nature-Based Solutions? Biodiversa+: The European Biodiversity Partnership. The James Hutton Institute & The European Union. https://www.biodiversa.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/D4.2-Desk-study-NBS.pdf.
Anderson V. & Gough W.A. 2022. A Typology of Nature- Based Solutions for Sustainable Development: An Analysis of Form, Function, Nomenclature, and Associated Applications. Land, 11(7): 1072. DOI: 10.3390/land11071072.
Aria M. & Cuccurullo C. 2017. Bibliometrix: An R-tool for comprehensive science mapping analysis. Journal of Informetrics, 11(4): 959-975. DOI: 10.1016/j.joi.2017.08.007.
Ascenso A., Gama C., Roebeling P. & Miranda A.I. 2021. How effective are Nature-based Solutions in different Environments? In: Casares-Long J.J., Longhurst J. & Barnes J. (Eds) 29th International Conference on Modelling, Monitoring and Management of Air Pollution (2021). WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment, Vol 252: Air Pollution XXIX: 3-14. DOI: 10.2495/AIR210011.
Baihao L., Cunkuan Z. & Hua L. 2018. Study on the development trend and practice of sponge cities with Chinese Characteristics. 3rd International Conference on Energy Equipment Science and Engineering (ICEESE 2017). IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental. Science. Vol (128) 012134. DOI: 10.1088/1755- 1315/128/1/012134.
Biswas A.K. & Hartley K. 2017. China’s ‘Sponge Cities’ Aim to Re-Use 70% of Rainwater—Here’s How. The Conversation, Published: September 5, 2017 12.47pm BST. [webpage]. https://theconversation.com/chinas-sponge-cities-aim-to-re-use-70-of-rainwater-heres-how-83327.
Bogatinoska B., Lansu A., Hugé J. & Dekker S.C. 2022. Participatory Design of Nature-Based Solutions: Usability of Tools for Water Professionals. Sustainability, 14(9): 5562. DOI: 10.3390/su14095562.
Bradfer-Lawrence T., Finch T., Bradbury R.B., Buchanan G.M., Midgley A. & Field R.H. 2021. The potential contribution of terrestrial nature-based solutions to a national ‘net zero’ climate target. Journal of Applied Ecology, 58(11): 2349–2360. DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.14003.
Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières. 2020. Web- based tool – module 2 (Existing web-based platforms for NBS analysis) in Work Package 7 – Product innovation to develop an evidence-base and data platform. European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme. 13th November of 2023. https://www.phusicos.eu/globalassets/bilder/eksterneprosjektsider/phusicos/publications/deliverable-d7-2.pdf
Calliari E., Castellari S., Davis M., Linnerooth-Bayer J., Martin J., Mysiak J., Pastor T., Ramieri E., Scolobig A., Sterk M., Veerkamp C., Wendling L. & Zandersen M. 2022. Building climate resilience through nature-based solutions in Europe: A review of enabling knowledge, finance and governance frameworks. Climate Risk Management, 37: 100450. DOI: 10.1016/j.crm.2022.100450.
Castaldo A.G., Mahmoud I. & Morello E. 2021. Ecosystem- Based Adaptation Approach and Adaptation Planning Support Tools: Potential Implementation for the Urban Context. In: La Rosa D. & Privitera R. (eds) Innovation in Urban and Regional Planning. 23–32. Proceedings of the 11th INPUT - Volume 1. Conference of the International Conference on Innovation in Urban and Regional Planning. INPUT 2021 of Book Series “Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering”, vol 146. Conference Proceedings. Springer, Cham. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030- 68824-0_3.
Ciasca B.S., Klemz C., Raepple J., Kroeger T., Acosta E.A.P., Cho S.J., Barreto S., Bracale H. & Cesário F. 2023. Economic Cost of Drought and Potential Benefits of Investing in Nature-Based Solutions: A Case Study in São Paulo, Brazil. Water, 15(3): 466. DOI: 10.3390/w15030466.
Cobo M.J., López-Herrera A.G., Herrera-Viedma E. & Herrera F. 2011. An approach for detecting, quantifying, and visualizing the evolution of a research field: A practical application to the Fuzzy Sets Theory field. Journal of Informetrics, 5(1): 146-166. DOI: 10.1016/j.joi.2010.10.002.
Coenen J., Bager S., Meyfroidt P., Newig J. & Challies E. 2021. Environmental Governance of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Environmental Policy and Governance, 31(1): 3–17. DOI: 10.1002/eet.1901.
Croeser T., Garrard G., Sharma R., Ossola A. & Bekessy S. 2021. Choosing the right nature-based solutions to meet diverse urban challenges. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 65: 127337. DOI: 10.1016/j.ufug.2021.127337.
Cui M., Ferreira F., Fung T. & Matos S. 2021. Tale of Two Cities: How Nature-Based Solutions help create Adaptive and Resilient Urban Water Management Practices in Singapore and Lisbon. Sustainability, 13(18): 10427. DOI: 10.3390/su131810427.
Eggermont H., Balian E., Azevedo J.M.N., Beumer V., Brodin T., Claudet J., Fady B., Grube M., Keune H., Lamarque P., Reuter K., Smith M., van Ham C., Weisser
W.W. & Le Roux X. 2015. Nature-based Solutions: New Influence for Environmental Management and Research in Europe. GAIA – Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society, 24(4): 243–248. DOI: 10.14512/gaia.24.4.9.
European Commission. 2015. Towards an EU research and innovation policy agenda for nature-based solutions & re- naturing cities. Final report of the Horizon 2020 expert group on ‘Nature-based solutions and re-naturing Cities’. Publications Office of the European Union. Luxembourg. https://op.europa.eu/s/yYuB.
European Commission. 2017. Horizon 2020 – Work Programme 2016–2017. 12- Climate action, environment, resource efficiency and raw materials. European Commission. Brussels, Belgium. https://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/data/ref/h2020/wp/2016_2017/main/h2020-wp1617-climate_en.pdf.
European Commission. 2019. Horizon 2020 Work – Programme 2018–2020. 19- General Annexes. European Commission. Brussels, Belgium. https://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/data/ref/h2020/other/wp/2018-2020/annexes/h2020-wp1820-annex-ga_en.pdf.
European Commission. 2021. EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 - Bridging Nature Back into Our Lives. European Commission. Brussels, Belgium. DOI:10.10.2779/677548.
Folke C., Jansson A., Rockström J., Olsson P., Carpenter SR, Chapin III FS., Crépin AS., Daily G., Danell K., Ebbesson J., Elmqvist T., Galaz V., Moberg F., Nilsson M., Osterblom H., Ostrom E., Persson A., Peterson G., Polasky S., Steffen W., Walker B. & Westley F. 2011. Reconnecting to the biosphere. Ambio, 40(7): 719-738. DOI: 10.1007/s13280-011-0184-y.
Frantzeskaki M., Vandergert P., Connop S., Schipper K., Zwierzchowska I., Collier M. & Lodder M. 2020. Examining the policy needs for implementing nature- based solutions in cities: Findings from city-wide transdisciplinary experiences in Glasgow (UK), Genk (Belgium) and Poznań (Poland). Land Use Policy, 96: 104688. DOI: 10.1016/j.landusepol.2020.104688.
Gao J., Wang Y., Zou C., Xu D., Lin N., Wang L. & Zhang K. 2020. China’s ecological conservation redline: A solution for future nature conservation. Ambio, 49: 1519– 1529. DOI: 10.1007/s13280-019-01307-6.
Hai R. & Shaolin P. 2003. The Practice of Ecological Restoration in China: A Brief History and Conference Report. Ecological Restorarion, 21(2): 122–125. DOI: 10.3368/er.21.2.122.
Hale S.E., von der Tann L., Rebelo A.J., Esler K.J., de Lima A.P.M., Rodrigues A.F., Latawiec A.E., Ramírez- Agudelo N.A., Roca E., Suleiman L., Singh N. & Oen A. 2023. Evaluating Nature-Based Solutions for Water Management in Peri-Urban Areas. Water, 15(5): 893. DOI: 10.3390/w15050893.
Harrak M. & Lemaitre F. 2023. European Roadmap to 2030 for Research and Innovation on Nature-based Solutions. NetworkNature. Accessed November 13, 2023 from: https://networknature.eu/sites/default/files/uploads/eu-ri-roadmapweb.pdf.
Hekrle M. 2022. What benefits are the most important to you, your community, and society? Perception of ecosystem services provided by nature-based solutions. WIREs Water, 9(6): e1612. DOI : 10.1002/wat2.1612.
IUCN. 2016.WCC-2016-Res-069-EN-Defining Nature- based Solutions. Accessed on July 30 2023 from: https://portals.iucn.org/library/sites/library/files/resrecfiles/WCC_2016_RES_069_EN.pdf.
Kalantari Z., Seifollahi-Aghmiuni S., Von Platen H., Gustafsson M., Rahmati O & Santos C . 2022. Using Landscape Connectivity to Identify Suitable Locations for Nature-Based Solutions to Reduce Flood Risk. In: Ferreira C.S.S., Kalantari Z., Hartmann T. & Pereira P. (Eds) Nature-Based Solutions for Flood Mitigation: Environmental and Socio-Economic Aspects. 339–354. Handbook of Environmental Chemistry (HEC) book series, volume 107. Springer Cham. DOI: 10.1007/698_2021_771.
Kay J.J., Regier H.A. & Boyle F.G. 1999. An ecosystem approach for sustainability: addressing the challenge of complexity. Futures, 31(7): 721–742. DOI: 10.1016/S0016-3287(99)00029-4.
Krivtsov V., Birkinshaw S., Yahr R. & Olive V. 2021. Comparative ecosystem analysis of Urban Ponds: implications for synergistic benefits and potential trade- offs resulting from retrofitting of Green Roofs in their catchments. International Journal of Environmental Impacts, 4(4): 323–339. DOI: 10.2495/EI-V4-N4-323-
Kumar P., Debele S., Sahani J., Aragão L., Barisani F., Basu B., Bucchignani E., Charizopoulos N., Di Sabatino S., Domeneghetti A., Sorolla A., Finér L., Gallotti G., Juch S., Leo L., Loupis M, Mickovski S., Panga D., Pavlova I., Pilla F., Prats A., Renaud F., Rutzinger M., Basu A., Shah M., Soini K., Stefanopoulou M., Toth E., Ukonmaanaho L., Vranic S. & Zieher T. 2020. Towards an operationalisation of nature-based solutions for natural hazards. Science of The Total Environment, 731: 138855. DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138855.
Kuriqi A. & Hysa A. 2021. Multidimensional Aspects of Floods: Nature-Based Mitigation Measures from Basin to River Reach Scale. In: Ferreira C.S.S., Kalantari Z., Hartmann T. & Pereira P. (Eds) Nature-Based Solutions for Flood Mitigation: Environmental and Socio- Economic Aspects. 11-33. Handbook of Environmental Chemistry (HEC) book series, volume 107. Springer Cham. DOI: 10.1007/698_2021_773.
Langergraber G., Regelsberger M., Eregno F.E. & Heistad A. 2020. Design approach for treatment wetlands (Chapter 3). In: Langergraber G., Dotro G., Nivala J., Rizzo A. & Stein O (eds.). Wetland Technology Practical Information on the Design and Application of Treatment Wetlands. Scientific and Technical Report No. 27. IWA Publishing. DOI: 10.2166/9781789060171_0011.
Larrey-Lassalle P., Decker S., Perfido D., Naneci S. & Rugani B. 2022. Life Cycle Assessment Applied to Nature-Based Solutions: Learnings, Methodological Challenges, and Perspectives from a Critical Analysis of the Literature. Land, 11(5): 649. DOI: 10.3390/land11050649.
Liu H.-Y., Jay M. & Chen X. 2021. The Role of Nature-Based Solutions for Improving Environmental Quality, Health and Well-Being. Sustainability, 13(19): 10950. DOI: 10.3390/su131910950.
Liu J., Tan J., Zhang S., Zhong C., Lv L. & Tara A. 2023. Suitability Assessment of Small Dams’ Location as Nature-Based Solutions to Reduce Flood Risk in Mataniko Catchment, Honiara, Solomon Islands. Sustainability, 15(4): 3313. DOI: 10.3390/su15043313.
Longato D., Cortinovis Ch., Balzan M. & Geneletti D. 2023. A method to prioritize and allocate nature-based solutions in urban areas based on ecosystem service demand. Landscape and Urban Planning, 235: 104743. DOI : 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2023.104743.
Mabrouk M., Han H., Fan C., Abdrabo K.I., Shen G., Saber M., Kantoush S.A. & Sumi T. 2023. Assessing the effectiveness of nature-based solutions-strengthened urban planning mechanisms in forming flood-resilient cities. Journal of Environmental Management, 344: 118260. DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118260.
Martínez M., Cobo M., Herrera M. & Herrera-Viedma E. 2015. Analyzing the Scientific Evolution of Social Work Using Science Mapping. Research on Social Work Practice, 25(2): 257-277. DOI: 10.1177/1049731514522101.
Moreau C., Cottet M., Rivière-Honegger A., François A. & Evette A. 2022. Nature-based solutions (NbS): A management paradigm shift in practitioners’ perspectives on riverbank soil bioengineering. Journal of Environmental Management, 308: 114638. DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.114638.
Moreau C., Cottet M., Rivière-Honegger A., François A. & Evette A. 2022. Nature-based solutions (NbS): A management paradigm shift in practitioners’ perspectives on riverbank soil bioengineering. Journal of Environmental Management, 308: 114638. DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.114638.
Nesshöver C., Assmuth T., Irvine K.N., Rusch G.M., Waylen K.A., Delbaere B., Haase D., Jones-Walters L., Keune H., Kovacs E., Krauze K., Kulvik M., Rey F., van Dijk J., Vistad O.I., Wilkinson M.E. & Wittmer H. 2017. The science, policy and practice of nature-based solutions: An interdisciplinary perspective. Science of The Total Environment, 579: 1215–1227. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.11.106.
Ramírez-Agudelo N.A., Porcar R., Villares M. & Roca E. 2020. Nature-Based Solutions for Water Management in Peri-Urban Areas: Barriers and Lessons Learned from Implementation Experiences. Sustainability, 12(23): 9799. DOI: 10.3390/su12239799.
Raymond C.M., Stedman R. & Frantzeskaki N. 2023. The role of nature-based solutions and senses of place in enabling just city transitions. Environmental Science & Policy, 144: 10-19. DOI: 10.1016/j.envsci.2023.02.021.
Sarabi S., Han Q., de Vries B., Romme A.G.L. & Almassy D. 2022. The Nature-Based Solutions Case-Based System: A hybrid expert system. Journal of Environmental Management, 324: 116413. DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.116413.
Shen D. 2021. The River and Lake Chief System (Chapter 11). In: Shen D. Water Resources Management of the People’s Republic of China: Framework, Reform and Implementation. 241–252. Global Issues in Water Policy (GLOB) book series, Volume 26. Springer International Publishing: Cham, Switzerland. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-61931-2_11.
Somarakis G., Stagakis S. & Chrysoulakis N. (Eds.) 2019. ThinkNature Nature-Based Solutions Handbook; European Union: Brussels, Belgium. https://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/documents/downloadPublic?documentIds=080166e5c7061325&appId=PPGMS.
Sowinska-Swierkosz B., Michalik-Sniezek M. & Bieske- Matejak A. 2021. Can Allotment Gardens (AGs) Be Considered an Example of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) Based on the Use of Historical Green Infrastructure? Sustainability, 13(2): 835. DOI: 10.3390/su13020835.
Spyrou C., Loupis M., Charizopoulos N., Arvanitis P., Mentzafou A., Dimitriou E., Debele S.E., Sahani J. & Kumar P. 2022. Evaluating Nature-Based Solution for Flood Reduction in Spercheios River Basin Part 2: Early Experimental Evidence. Sustainability, 14(16): 10345. DOI: 10.3390/su141610345.
Toxopeus H. & Polzin F. 2021. Reviewing financing barriers and strategies for urban nature-based solutions. Journal of Environmental Management, 289: 112371.
Ullah R., Asghar I. & Griffiths M.G. 2023. An Integrated Methodology for Bibliometric Analysis: A Case Study of Internet of Things in Healthcare Applications. Sensors, 23(1): 67. DOI: 10.3390/s23010067.
Wang H., He M., Ran N., Xie D., Wang Q., Teng M. & Wang P. 2021. China’s Key Forestry Ecological Development Programs: Implementation, Environmental Impact and Challenges. Forests, 12(1): 101. DOI: 10.3390/f12010101.
Wang X., Lu J., Song Z., Zhou Y., Liu T. & Zhang D. 2022. From past to future: Bibliometric analysis of global research productivity on nomogram (2000–2021). Frontiers in PublicHealth, 10: 997713. DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.997713.
Wickenberg B., McCormick K. & Olsson J.A. 2021. Advancing the implementation of nature-based solutions in cities: A review of frameworks. Environmental Science and Policy, 125: 44–53. DOI: 10.1016/j.envsci.2021.08.016.
Yin D., Xu, C., Jia H., Yang Y., Sun C., Wang Q. & Liu S. 2022. Sponge City Practices in China: From Pilot Exploration to Systemic Demonstration. Water, 14(10): 1531. DOI: 10.3390/w14101531.
Zhang Y., Fei X., Liu F., Chen J., You X., Huang S., Wang M. & Dong J. 2022. Advances in Forest Management Research in the Context of Carbon Neutrality: A Bibliometric Analysis. Forests, 13(11): 1810. DOI: 10.3390/f13111810.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2023 Miguel Angel Quevedo Beltrán, Diego A. Sotomayor
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
