Capturing the multiple benefits associated with nature‐based solutions: lessons from a natural flood management project in the Cotswolds, UK

Short, Christopher J ORCID: 0000-0003-0429-1143, Clarke, Lucy E ORCID: 0000-0002-8174-3839, Carnelli, Fabio, Uttley, Chris and Smith, Brian (2019) Capturing the multiple benefits associated with nature‐based solutions: lessons from a natural flood management project in the Cotswolds, UK. Land Degradation and Development, 30 (3). pp. 241-252. doi:10.1002/ldr.3205

Preview

Text (Peer-reviewed version) 6149 Short (2018) Capturing the multiple benefits.pdf - Accepted Version Available under License All Rights Reserved. Download (858kB) | Preview

Abstract

Following severe flooding in 2007 a decision was taken in 2012 to explore nature‐based solutions in 250km2 river catchment in the southern Cotswolds in the UK. The project involves working with landowners to create in channel, riparian, field and woodland structures aimed at attenuating high flows or increasing infiltration rates to reduce flood risk. After three years it is clear that the threshold for effectiveness requires the implementation of measures throughout large areas of the upstream catchment. Early results suggest that social, as well as natural, capital has been enhanced through the project. What is clear is the beneficial role of working with multiple stakeholders to implement natural flood management on a catchment wide scale. In this sense the project has adopted a co‐management approach which brings together the knowledges of hydrologists, ecologists, farmers, woodland owners and the local community to implement locally agreed solutions within a broader project framework. This paper will outline the initial findings and the governance structure within a theoretical framework of co‐management and suggest how this type of framework is suitable for a range of nature‐based solutions across Europe. However, the challenge remains in capturing the multiple‐benefits that such projects offer as these are often missed through conventional approaches like cost‐benefit analysis. The paper concludes by presented along with a potential way forward for a proof‐of‐concept for nature‐based solutions.

Item Type:	Article
Article Type:	Article
Additional Information:	This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Short C, Clarke L, Carnelli F, Uttley C, Smith B. Capturing the multiple benefits associated with nature‐based solutions: lessons from a natural flood management project in the Cotswolds, UK. Land Degrad Dev. 2018. https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.3205, which has been published in final form at https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ldr.3205. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Adaptive co-management; Europe; Natural flood management; Nature-based solutions; Stakeholder engagement; REF2021
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > G Geography (General) G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GB Physical geography H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) H Social Sciences > HT Communities. Classes. Races
Divisions:	Schools and Research Institutes > Countryside and Community Research Institute Schools and Research Institutes > School of Education and Science
Research Priority Areas:	Place, Environment and Community
Depositing User:	Lucy Clarke
Date Deposited:	30 Oct 2018 16:23
Last Modified:	31 Aug 2023 08:58
URI:	https://eprints.glos.ac.uk/id/eprint/6149

University Staff: Request a correction | Repository Editors: Update this record