Dear Colleagues,

There are growing concerns due to the increase of both frequency and magnitude of natural disasters, and particularly of water-related risks (floods and droughts). Such extremes have severe effects on communities, on the economy, and on the environment, which may be even worsened by additional pressures such as climate change. Policy- and decision-makers are thus increasingly aware of the need for more systemic perspectives oriented at supporting climate change adaptation, water-related risk reduction, sustainable development, and conservation and restoration of ecosystems. In this direction, EU policies are supporting the ‘working with nature’ method, and nature-based solutions (NBS) are becoming central in responding to multiple challenges. The European Commission defines NBS to societal challenges as “solutions that are inspired and supported by nature, which are cost-effective, simultaneously provide environmental, social and economic benefits and help build resilience. Such solutions bring more, and more diverse, nature and natural features and processes into cities, landscapes and seascapes, through locally adapted, resource-efficient and systemic intervention”.

A growing attention on NBS is coupled with a rising interest in the scientific literature, although several gaps and barriers still exist and need to be carefully addressed. For example, additional evidence on the functioning of NBS and on their hydrological performances is needed, e.g., when operating as a network of measures or in comparison/integration with grey infrastructures. Furthermore, a stronger evidence base is required on the capability of NBS to provide multidimensional benefits and co-benefits, with a specific attention to their dynamic evolution and the potential presence of trade-offs. Additionally, innovative methods and tools accounting for a deeper stakeholder involvement should be fostered, in order both to support the inclusion of local/expert knowledge as well as to increase the sense of awareness about NBS potential. Last but not least, innovative while feasible business models need to be sought in order to make NBS investable and financially self-sufficient in the long term, and thus enable and catalyse their implementation.

In this framework, the present Special Issue aims at collecting a wide range of experiences related to NBS design, assessment, and/or implementation, and interdisciplinary approaches are welcome. We invite papers focusing on, but not limited to, the following topics:

• NBS design and effectiveness assessment, hydrological performances;
• Integrated modeling of NBS and analysis of systemic impacts;
• Benefit/co-benefit production and trade-offs both at urban and at watershed scale;
• NBS flexibility and scalability;
• Cost-effectiveness of NBS, valuation, and evaluation;
• Tools and methods for supporting decision- and policy-making;
• Public participation to support NBS implementation.
• Innovative and feasible business models for NBS.

Dr. Alessandro Pagano
Dr. Elena López Gunn
Dr. Leon Kapetas
Dr. Beatriz Mayor
Guest Editors

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• Nature Based Solutions
• water-related risks
• ecosystem services
• co-benefits assessment
• sustainable development