The Taklamakan Desert, one of the world's largest and driest deserts, has traditionally been considered a biological void. Here, we demonstrate that large-scale ecological restoration is transforming this hyperarid environment into a carbon sink. By analyzing satellite and ground-based data, we find strong seasonal dynamics: During the wet season (Jul to Sep), precipitation increases to 16.3 mm/mo, enhancing vegetation coverage and photosynthetic activity and drawing down atmospheric CO2 by approximately three parts per million (ppm) relative to the dry-season levels. Long-term trends reveal significant increases in vegetation cover (6.8 × 10-4/y) and photosynthetic activity (6.1 × 10-3 W/m2/sr/µm/y), accompanied by a strengthening net CO2 uptake (NEE trend: -5.2 × 10-12 kg/m2/s/y). These changes are spatially concentrated along the desert margins and their timing aligns with implementation of China's Three-North Shelterbelt Program. Our results provide the direct evidence that human-led intervention can effectively enhance carbon sequestration in even the most extreme arid landscapes, demonstrating the potential to transform a desert into a carbon sink and halt desertification. This underscores the critical role of dryland restoration in global carbon management strategies and highlights the Taklamakan Desert as a model for climate change mitigation through nature-based solutions and ecological engineering.

Vegetated biofiltration systems (VBS) are low-energy, nature-based solutions for water treatment; however, they often exhibit poor ammonium removal when treating ammonium-rich influents such as those encountered during overflow events or in decentralized applications. This study demonstrates that integrating anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) into VBS significantly enhances the nitrogen removal performance and capacity. Over 25 weeks of operation, the anammox-integrated VBS (A-VBS) achieved substantially higher nitrogen removal efficiency (63.7 ± 1.8%) compared to the conventional VBS (C-VBS) (18.9 ± 3.0%) at a fixed hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 3 days. Enhanced performance persisted under shortened HRTs (48 and 24 h), indicating the hydraulic resilience of the anammox process. Microbial community analysis confirmed the establishment of the anammox-associated genus Candidatus Brocadia in A-VBS (1.2-2.2% relative abundance, along with a 4-fold increase in anammox 16S rRNA gene abundance), undetectable in C-VBS. 15N tracer assays showed that anammox contributed approximately 46.2% of N2 production in A-VBS. Quantitative modeling revealed co-occurrence and synergistic interactions among nitrification (amoA, nxrA), anammox (anammox 16S rRNA), and denitrification (narG, nirK, nirS, qnorB, nosZ) pathways in driving total nitrogen removal. These findings suggest the potential of anammox-integrated VBS as an effective, sustainable solution for enhanced nitrogen management in urban water systems.

Repeated sowing of winter cereals represents one of the adaptive dryland approaches to make more sustainable the rainfed agriculture activities in southern Kazakhstan. This study conducted a multi-year reconstruction of crop transitions using Sentinel-2 imagery for 2018–2025, based on the combined analysis of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) temporal profiles and the Plowed Land Index (PLI), enabling the creation of a field-level harmonized classification set. The transition “spring crop → winter crop” was used as a formal indicator of repeated winter sowing, from which annual repeat layers and an integrated metric, the R-index, were derived. The results revealed a pronounced spatial concentration of repeated sowing in foothill landscapes, where terrain heterogeneity and locally elevated moisture availability promote the recurrent return of winter cereals. Comparison of NDVI composites for the peak spring biomass period (1–20 May) showed a systematic decline in NDVI with increasing R-index, indicating the cumulative effect of repeated soil exploitation and the sensitivity of winter crops to climatic constraints. Precipitation analysis for 2017–2024 confirmed the strong influence of autumn moisture conditions on repetition phases, particularly in years with extreme rainfall anomalies. These findings demonstrate the importance of integrating multi-year satellite observations with climatic indicators for monitoring the resilience of agricultural systems. The identified patterns highlight the necessity of implementing nature-based solutions, including contour–strip land management and the development of protective shelterbelts, to enhance soil moisture retention and improve the stability of regional agricultural landscapes.

The impacts of land use on stormwater runoff quality and Best Management Practices to mitigate these impacts have been investigated since the 1970s, yet challenges remain in providing a modeling approach that concomitantly considers contributions from different land use types. In densely developed urban areas, a buildup/washoff approach is often applied, while in rural areas, some type of erosion modeling is employed, as the processes of detachment, entrainment, and transport are fundamentally different. This study presents a coupled modeling approach within PCSWMM, integrating exponential buildup/washoff for impervious surfaces with the Modified Universal Soil Loss Equation (MUSLE) for pervious areas, including construction sites, to characterize water quality in the large mixed urban–rural Sparrovale catchment in Geelong, Australia. The watershed includes an innovative cascading system of 12 online NbS wetlands along one of the main tributaries, Armstrong Creek, to manage runoff quantity and quality, as well as 16 offline NbS wetlands that are tributary to the online system. A total of 78 samples for Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Total Phosphorus (TP), and Total Nitrogen (TN) were collected from six monitoring sites along Armstrong Creek during wet- and dry-weather events between May and July 2024 for model validation. The data were supplemented with six other catchment stormwater quality datasets collected during earlier studies, which provided an understanding of water quality status for the broader Geelong region. Results showed that average nutrient concentrations across all the sites ranged from 0.44 to 2.66 mg/L for TP and 0.69 to 5.7 mg/L for TN, spanning from within to above the ecological threshold ranges for eutrophication risk (TP: 0.042 to 1 mg/L, TN: 0.3 to 1.5 mg/L). In the study catchment, upstream wetlands reduced pollutant levels; however, downstream wetlands that received runoff from agriculture, residential areas, and, importantly, construction sites, showed a substantial increase in sediment and nutrient concentration. Water quality modeling revealed washoff parameters primarily influenced concentrations from established urban neighborhoods, whereas erosion parameters substantially impacted total pollutant loads for the larger system, demonstrating the importance of integrated modeling for capturing pollutant dynamics in heterogeneous, urbanizing catchments. The study results emphasize the need for spatially targeted management strategies to improve stormwater runoff quality and also show the potential for cascading wetlands to be an important element of the Nature-based Solution (NbS) runoff management system.

Abstract Tree restoration is seen as a nature-based solution to climate change, because trees remove carbon from the atmosphere. However, tree cover can influence surface temperatures in other ways, for example by changing albedo and enhancing evapotranspiration. These impacts may, in turn, be affected by increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations. Here, we present simulations with a coupled atmosphere-land-slab-ocean model to investigate how doubled atmospheric carbon dioxide levels affect warming in a high-end scenario where afforestation covers a land area 35% larger than the USA. Changes in albedo, changes in evapotranspiration, and forest biogenic volatile organic compound emissions combined result in reduced warming by 0.06+/-0.04 K in the afforestation scenario with doubled carbon dioxide scenario, compared with afforestation in a baseline scenario with present-day carbon dioxide levels. This reduced warming is largely due to less snow in the Northern Hemisphere and thus less surface darkening. Similarly, tree carbon sequestration enhances cooling by 0.20 K in the afforestation/doubled carbon dioxide scenario, compared to an afforestation/present-day carbon dioxide scenario . We conclude that in a world with doubled atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations, the climate mitigation potential of tree restoration is only minimally affected.

Objective: To evaluate, from technical, economic, and socio-environmental perspectives, two structural alternatives designed to mitigate water scarcity scenarios in the Camboriú River Basin and adjacent watersheds (Santa Catarina, Brazil): a seawater reverse osmosis desalination plant and a multipurpose floodable park. Theoretical framework: The study is grounded in the concepts of water security, water governance, Nature-Based Solutions, grey infrastructure, and multicriteria decision-making approaches applied to water resources planning in coastal basins under anthropogenic pressure and climate variability. Method: A multicriteria analysis model was applied, integrating technical, economic, and socio-environmental indicators. Variables were weighted by experts and local water governance stakeholders using ordinal scales and a magnitude–importance matrix for environmental impact assessment. Results and discussion: Results indicate that the floodable park shows better economic performance and relevant socio-environmental benefits but faces significant territorial constraints and structural interferences. The desalination plant achieved superior technical performance and a more homogeneous socio-environmental profile, particularly due to continuous water production and reduced pressure on freshwater sources. The integrated assessment identified desalination as the most strategic alternative under severe scarcity scenarios. Research implications: The findings support regional water planning processes and provide decision-making support for public managers responsible for water security in urbanized coastal basins. Originality/value: The study advances knowledge by comparatively assessing green and grey infrastructure within a single, replicable multicriteria framework, contributing to hybrid decision-making strategies in water resource management.

Carbon-nitrogen synergy in the rhizosphere: Unlocking nature-based solutions for soil restoration.

ABSTRACT Nature-based solutions are increasingly being adopted worldwide to enhance urban sustainability and mitigate climate change impacts. Among them, green roofs (GRs) are widely promoted through policies offering technical support, tax benefits, and financial incentives, with some cities mandating GRs in new buildings. Since vegetation drives most GR-related benefits, such as urban heat island (UHI) mitigation, stormwater regulation, biodiversity, and carbon capture, monitoring its well-being is essential. This study introduces two novel satellite-based indices to assess GR vegetation health. The Vegetative Stress Index (VSI) is a single-parameter tool that tracks annual vegetation growth trends. The Multiparameter Vegetative Stress Index (MVSI) integrates climatic and urban variables to evaluate their combined influence on the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). Both indices were applied to Lisbon, Portugal, named European Green Capital in 2020 for its efforts in expanding green spaces. Results demonstrate that VSI and MVSI effectively capture long-term improvements in vegetative well-being across GRs, reflected in significant NDVI increases. Compared to other urban green spaces, GRs show enhanced vegetation resilience, underscoring their added value. These indices offer a practical, scalable method for urban planners and policymakers to monitor and support green infrastructure development and performance over time.

Navigating the unknown: Nature-based solutions for coastal climate adaptation under deep uncertainty.

Small and medium-sized islands (SMI) combine high ecological value with limited resources and vulnerability to climatic and environmental risks. Nature-based solutions (NbS) can contribute to addressing some of these challenges, but studies on the uptake and effectiveness of NbS in SMI remain scattered, with few systematic syntheses. Here, we introduce the SMI-NbS compendium, a comprehensive and open-access dataset compiling 280 NbS case studies implemented across SMI worldwide, developed through a systematic review of published and grey literature. Each SMI-NbS case study includes information on the location, NbS category, ecosystem types, societal challenges addressed, associated co-benefits, and links to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SMI-NbS compendium provides practical information on NbS implementation and identifies current research trends and gaps, such as the dominance of ecological and climate-focused NbS, with limited integration of other socio-economic challenges, thereby supporting further research and enabling knowledge exchange across the science-policy-practice interface to inform sustainable development pathways in SMI.

Seaweed and shellfish mariculture as nature-based solutions: Mitigating nutrient pollution from coastal fish mariculture and sewage.

Nature-based solution (NBS) has become tools to improve environmental resilience and reduce temperature increases due to global climate change. Although many green spaces are still underutilized and have little ecological, social, or economic value, they are essential to this mission. At the same time, previous research has established NbS as an integrated framework for environmental management, climate adaptation, and its practical implementation, particularly in urban contexts. This study examines the case of Curug Kulon in Tangerang Regency, where green spaces are neglected and only marginally used for urban agriculture. Through land potential analysis and Focus Group Discussions with local stakeholders, the study identified key strategies for programming green spaces based on the socio-cultural characteristics of the community. The results demonstrate (1) the possibility of creating multipurpose land uses, (2) the conversion of local residents into proactive promoters and advocates of environmental conservation, and (3) the incorporation of green space functions as educational areas, productive landscapes, and ecological buffers. Research recommends a participatory framework to improve climate resilience based on community empowerment by developing urban green space program and provides a concept of green space sustainable management.

The accelerating climate crisis underscores the limitations of state-centric and technocratic approaches to environmental governance. Although Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) are increasingly promoted as strategies for climate adaptation and biodiversity conservation, prevailing frameworks often neglect Indigenous governance systems that have long sustained ecosystems through customary law, ecological knowledge, and cultural values. This article positions Indigenous governance as a pivotal dimension of NbS, emphasizing its capacity to integrate ecological stewardship with social justice and intergenerational equity. Drawing on the case of the Ammatoa Kajang community in South Sulawesi, Indonesia, the study illustrates how Indigenous forest classifications and customary norms safeguard ecological balance while reinforcing cultural resilience. Employing a mixed-methods approach, combining ethnography, geospatial analysis, and reflective narrative. The research demonstrates that Indigenous-led governance provides legitimacy and inclusivity frequently absent in state-driven conservation initiatives. The findings highlight the importance of legal pluralism and co-management models that recognize Indigenous rights, thereby advancing NbS that are ecologically robust, socially just, and culturally sustainable.

Impact assessment and rehabilitation of an informal settlement using sustainable urban drainage systems as a nature-based solution in Brazil

Nat4Wat: a co-developed decision-support system for resilient urban water management with nature-based solutions

Enhancing coastal resilience with nature-based solutions: Policy-driven restoration of a high-energy beach (Changle Airport Beach, China)

Incentivising coastal wetland restoration: What factors influence private landholder participation in Australia?

Current remote sensing applications for sustainable agricultural transitions and nature-based solutions.

Nature-Based Solutions, Climate Change, and Biodiversity: A systematic review of opportunities and risks

Biochar-calcium peroxide composite for sustained tebuconazole removal via adsorption and surface-mediated oxidative degradation.