Nature-based solutions in Hindu Kush Himalayas: IUCN global standard based synthesis
Himalayan countries face many ecological challenges, including biodiversity loss and the many threats of climate change. In response, these countries are implementing Nature-based Solution to minimize these challenges and promote sustainable development. In this article we analyze the NbS programs i...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2023-10-01
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| Series: | Ecological Indicators |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X23010178 |
| _version_ | 1827816015734505472 |
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| author | Divya Mehta Rajiv Pandey Ajay Kumar Gupta Sirkku Juhola |
| author_facet | Divya Mehta Rajiv Pandey Ajay Kumar Gupta Sirkku Juhola |
| author_sort | Divya Mehta |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Himalayan countries face many ecological challenges, including biodiversity loss and the many threats of climate change. In response, these countries are implementing Nature-based Solution to minimize these challenges and promote sustainable development. In this article we analyze the NbS programs implemented across the Himalayan region and assess the limitations of these NbS using the IUCN standard criteria of adherence to NbS for selected articles. We perform a systematic review of articles using the PRISMA methodology, through the Scopus, Google Scholar, and ResearchGate databases and followed by screening through the Rayyan web interface. Articles were screened out based on the location and lack of biodiversity and human well-being outcomes of NbS intervention. Nature-based Solutions in the Himalayas primarily use a sustainable management approach (35.29%), followed by restoration (23.53%), conservation (11.76%), holistic management (11.76%), eco-DRR (11.76%) and green infrastructure (5.88%) to address societal and climatic challenges. Institutional execution of NbS was 29.41% more common compared to the implementation of NbS by community or farmer groups. Pineapple based agroforestry (83.04%), forest restoration (78.57%), spring water storage (83.04%), spring restoration (86.61%), groundwater recharge (82.14%), bio-fertilizer and pesticides (77.68%), watershed restoration (78.57%), community-based watershed management (77.68%), community-based DRR (81.25%), community-based forest management (81.25%), sustainable harvest of medicinal plants (77.68%) and wetland restoration (82.14%), adhere to the IUCN criteria. In addition, some interventions adequately meet IUCN criteria, such as ice stupas (72.32%), forest restoration through plantation (73.21%), eco-safe roads (65.18), blue-green infrastructure (68.75%), and traditional ecological knowledge (72.32%). Our evaluation noted that NbS interventions can be improved by precise planning and design before implementation, engaging multiple stakeholders, comparing alternative solutions, and periodic monitoring of the impacts on the environment and society. This study shows that NbS in the Himalayas are contributing to biodiversity conservation and climate risk management. Tackling the limitation of this present review, mainly the exclusion of research not addressing biodiversity and human well-being, will yield more precise outcomes for climate actions and sustainable development. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T00:08:55Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2ab0c7f0707340ac8c837f6364618a88 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1470-160X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T00:08:55Z |
| publishDate | 2023-10-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Ecological Indicators |
| spelling | doaj.art-2ab0c7f0707340ac8c837f6364618a882023-09-16T05:30:15ZengElsevierEcological Indicators1470-160X2023-10-01154110875Nature-based solutions in Hindu Kush Himalayas: IUCN global standard based synthesisDivya Mehta0Rajiv Pandey1Ajay Kumar Gupta2Sirkku Juhola3Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, Dehradun, IndiaIndian Council of Forestry Research and Education, Dehradun, India; Cehui Road No. 32, Nangang District, Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province, China, Harbin 150081, China; Corresponding author.Govind Ballabh Pant 'National Institute of Himalayan Environment, Ladakh Regional Centre, Ladakh, IndiaEcosystem and Environment Research Programme, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, FinlandHimalayan countries face many ecological challenges, including biodiversity loss and the many threats of climate change. In response, these countries are implementing Nature-based Solution to minimize these challenges and promote sustainable development. In this article we analyze the NbS programs implemented across the Himalayan region and assess the limitations of these NbS using the IUCN standard criteria of adherence to NbS for selected articles. We perform a systematic review of articles using the PRISMA methodology, through the Scopus, Google Scholar, and ResearchGate databases and followed by screening through the Rayyan web interface. Articles were screened out based on the location and lack of biodiversity and human well-being outcomes of NbS intervention. Nature-based Solutions in the Himalayas primarily use a sustainable management approach (35.29%), followed by restoration (23.53%), conservation (11.76%), holistic management (11.76%), eco-DRR (11.76%) and green infrastructure (5.88%) to address societal and climatic challenges. Institutional execution of NbS was 29.41% more common compared to the implementation of NbS by community or farmer groups. Pineapple based agroforestry (83.04%), forest restoration (78.57%), spring water storage (83.04%), spring restoration (86.61%), groundwater recharge (82.14%), bio-fertilizer and pesticides (77.68%), watershed restoration (78.57%), community-based watershed management (77.68%), community-based DRR (81.25%), community-based forest management (81.25%), sustainable harvest of medicinal plants (77.68%) and wetland restoration (82.14%), adhere to the IUCN criteria. In addition, some interventions adequately meet IUCN criteria, such as ice stupas (72.32%), forest restoration through plantation (73.21%), eco-safe roads (65.18), blue-green infrastructure (68.75%), and traditional ecological knowledge (72.32%). Our evaluation noted that NbS interventions can be improved by precise planning and design before implementation, engaging multiple stakeholders, comparing alternative solutions, and periodic monitoring of the impacts on the environment and society. This study shows that NbS in the Himalayas are contributing to biodiversity conservation and climate risk management. Tackling the limitation of this present review, mainly the exclusion of research not addressing biodiversity and human well-being, will yield more precise outcomes for climate actions and sustainable development.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X23010178Biodiversity lossClimate actionsEcosystem approachEbAGreen infrastructureRestoration |
| spellingShingle | Divya Mehta Rajiv Pandey Ajay Kumar Gupta Sirkku Juhola Nature-based solutions in Hindu Kush Himalayas: IUCN global standard based synthesis Ecological Indicators Biodiversity loss Climate actions Ecosystem approach EbA Green infrastructure Restoration |
| title | Nature-based solutions in Hindu Kush Himalayas: IUCN global standard based synthesis |
| title_full | Nature-based solutions in Hindu Kush Himalayas: IUCN global standard based synthesis |
| title_fullStr | Nature-based solutions in Hindu Kush Himalayas: IUCN global standard based synthesis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Nature-based solutions in Hindu Kush Himalayas: IUCN global standard based synthesis |
| title_short | Nature-based solutions in Hindu Kush Himalayas: IUCN global standard based synthesis |
| title_sort | nature based solutions in hindu kush himalayas iucn global standard based synthesis |
| topic | Biodiversity loss Climate actions Ecosystem approach EbA Green infrastructure Restoration |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X23010178 |
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