Abstract
The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted the interchangeable link between human and nature. The health and socioeconomic impacts of COVID-19 are directly or indirectly linked to the natural environment and to the way that agri-food systems interact with nature. Although the pandemic continues to evolve and there are still many uncertainties, important issues about the future of the agri-food sector and the need for a sustainable and environmentally friendly reformation are beginning to arise in society. Nature-based Solutions (NbSs) encompass a broad range of practices that can be introduced in the agri-food supply chain and address multiple environmental challenges of the COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 era while providing economic and societal benefits. In this perspective, the design and establishment of multifunctional constructed wetlands as NbSs opens a portfolio of eco-innovative options throughout the agri-food supply chain, offering a realistic and promising way towards the green regeneration of the post-COVID-19 economy and the welfare of society. The aim of this work is to explore the potential role of constructed wetlands as Nature-based Solutions in the agri-food supply chain of the forthcoming post-COVID-19 era. More specifically, this work aims to reveal application opportunities of constructed wetlands in the different segments of the agri-food supply chain, identify linkages with societal challenges and EU policies, and discuss their potential limitations, future challenges, and perspectives.
Highlights
The agri-food sector entails a wide and complex network of feedbacks and tradeoffs between environment, economic activities, transport, trade, livelihoods, and human health.Since its first wave in 2019, the outbreak of COVID-19 is still having an unparalleled effect on the agri-food sector
The health and socioeconomic impacts of the pandemic have been linked to the natural environment and to the way that agri-food systems are organized and operate [1]
Nature-based Solutions (NbSs) that reduce the stress of citizens may contribute to more rational consumer behavior and the gradual rebound of the economy in the post-COVID-19 era and potentially lead to greener consumption patterns with considerable environmental benefits
Summary
The agri-food sector entails a wide and complex network of feedbacks and tradeoffs between environment, economic activities, transport, trade, livelihoods, and human health. Solutions (NbSs) are gaining importance as solutions that integrate societal challenges and nature conservation across scales and landscapes In this perspective, they have the potential to offer long-term transformative pathways to agri-food supply chains towards sustainability [4]. This work aims to reveal application opportunities of constructed wetlands in the different segments of the agri-food supply chain, identify the linkages with societal challenges and EU policies, and discuss their potential limitations and future challenges. For this purpose, a literature review was conducted based on emergent qualitative analysis (deductive and inductive) [8]. The chapter analyzes in detail the present and perspectives of constructed wetlands in the agri-food supply chain by demonstrating existing applications and potential opportunities, analyzing linkages with policies, and discussing limitations and future challenges
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