Nature-based Solutions as Building Blocks for coastal flood risk reduction: a model-based ecosystem service...

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Coastal Ecology
• Climate Change Adaptation

Background:

• Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are vital for flood risk mitigation and climate adaptation.
• Current evaluation methods for flood risk reduction ecosystem services (FRR-ESS) are often qualitative and limited, especially for future climate scenarios.
• Deep uncertainties exist in assessing NbS efficacy under changing environmental conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and present a model-based framework for quantifying FRR-ESS provided by coastal NbS.
• To enable comparative evaluation of NbS effects, both individually and in combination, using a Building Blocks approach.
• To investigate the flood reduction response of NbS to present and future storm scenarios, including sea level rise and altered wave climate.

Main Methods:

• Integration of expert-based assessments with quantitative results from an eco-hydro-morphodynamic numerical model.
• Application of a Building Blocks approach for evaluating individual and combined NbS impacts.
• Incorporation of habitat map change prediction to assess NbS response under various storm scenarios.

Main Results:

• The model framework successfully quantifies FRR-ESS for coastal NbS.
• Significant role of coastal habitats in reducing flood risk demonstrated.
• Physically-based modeling integration is crucial for robust FRR-ESS evaluation.

Conclusions:

• The developed model provides a robust and flexible tool for evaluating coastal NbS.
• Findings highlight the importance of integrating quantitative modeling into ecosystem service assessments.
• This approach supports informed decision-making for ecological sustainability and disaster risk reduction.