By Ghader Arabi, Esmail Karamidehkordi, and Enayat Abbasi
This Plain Language Summary is published in advance of the paper discussed. Please check back soon for a link to the full paper.
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework aims to conserve and restore at least 30% of terrestrial, inland water, coastal, and marine ecosystems by 2030 through protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures. The framework introduces Nature-Based Solutions (NBSs) as a potential approach for minimizing the impact of climate change on biodiversity and increasing its resilience. These solutions can also provide benefits to human well-being and biodiversity. Our study highlights how Nature-based Solutions can contribute to address biodiversity and ecosystem challenges in protected areas. We conducted a systematic review to answer important questions: what types of protected areas and ecosystems have used Nature-based Solutions? What countries have implemented this approach? What ecosystem services have these protected areas provided? What drivers have intensified biodiversity loss or ecosystem challenges in these areas? What are the applications and requirements of using this approach in protected areas? What are the barriers of employing this approach in protected areas? Our review analyzed the most relevant scientific studies by the content analysis method to answer these questions.
Our results indicated that protected areas provide different types of ecosystem services, particularly regulatory services such as carbon storage, flood control, and temperature regulation. Our findings also revealed that the most common challenges facing protected areas were not just ecological—they were also social. Conflicts between different stakeholders, unsustainable use of natural resources, and the spread of invasive species were among the biggest challenges. Climate change and pollution added further pressure.
We found that Nature-based Solutions use natural processes to address societal challenges. For example, restoring wetlands can help control floods while also storing carbon and providing habitat for wildlife. For these solutions to succeed, they need to be implemented with care. The most effective strategies are good planning and management, genuine participation and collaboration with local communities, and actions that directly address climate and environmental pressures. Our review shows that Nature-based Solutions work best when they are carefully designed, when local people are genuinely involved in decision-making, and when they are tailored to the specific challenges of each protected area.
