Nature-based solutions for agricultural water management and food security

In this discussion paper, twenty-one case studies of water management processes are analysed, using a non-representative literature survey, and checked to what extent they meet the requirements of the NBS implementation based on the criteria presented. It emerges that transdisciplinarity, stakeholder involvement, and well-designed funding schemes are important elements for successful implementation of NBS. Often, lengthy periods to organize participatory and transdisciplinary platforms are needed, which makes this process costly and as a result, complete implementation is often strained by funding shortages.

Another common challenge in the surveyed examples is the minor role given to valuation of ecosystem services, an area for which the literature is still developing guidance while available valuation methods remain scattered, incomplete or imprecise. The less successful water management projects tend to suffer from inadequate factual and scientific basis and uncoordinated or insufficient stakeholder involvement. Successful case studies point to a satisfactory understanding of the functioning of ecosystems and the importance of multi-stakeholder platforms, well- identified funding schemes, and realistic monitoring and evaluation systems.