Landscape report of NBS: Catalogue of NBS solutions for demo sites, discussing their applicability for climate resilience
Creators: name: Castellar da Cunha, Joana América
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2024

description: The CARDIMED NBS catalogue is a groundbreaking resource that advances the understanding and documentation of nature-based solutions (NBS), aiming to empower informed decision-making, foster collaboration, and inspire innovation and uptake in NBS projects across various contexts, especially in the Mediterranean region. The CARDIMED catalogue is organised into three main sections. The first section, the CARDIMED NBS catalogue (Section 1), explains the main aspects of the methodological framework used to develop the catalogue. It includes a classification system that recognizes the diverse functions of NBS and allows for customization to suit specific needs and circumstances. Additionally, this section presents detailed information on the procedures regarding data collection analysis, as well as inputs from experts and representatives of demonstrations. 

The CARDIMED NBS factsheets (Section 2) feature detailed factsheets on NBS deployed across CARDIMED's 9 demonstrations (demos), providing a wealth of information to diverse stakeholders. The factsheets introduce CARDIMED NBS classification. Firstly, NBS interventions are divided into units and interventions (CARDIMED has 18 NBS units and 15 NBS interventions). NBS units are further split into Technological units (14 in CARDIMED) and in Spatial units (4 in CARDIMED). Finally, Technological units are  as Advanced ecological treatments, Bioretention systems, Permeable surfaces, Vertical greening systems and Farming practices, while Spatial units are clustered into Greenery elements and Farming practices. 

On the other hand, NBS interventions are divided into Biodiversity interventions (4 in CARDIMED), Soil interventions (6 in CARDIMED), Aquatic interventions (4 in CARDIMED) and Land use interventions (1 in CARDIMED). Similarly as units, also interventions are further clustered. Biodiversity interventions have 2 clusters: Conservation and restoration of flora and Conservation and restoration of fauna. Soil interventions are clustered into Permeable surfaces, Organic soil amendments, Farming practices and Land management techniques. Aquatic interventions are clustered into Riverbank measures, Reiver management techniques and Rehabilitation of aquatic ecosystems. At the end Land use interventions are clustered as Sustainable communal grazing. 

The CARDIMED NBS systems factsheets (Section 3) introduce "NBS systems," which integrate diverse NBS along with supportive units distributed across 9 demos across whole Mediterranean, in Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Turkey and Cyprus. Because NBS interventions will be implemented at different locations in demos, those are further 19 subdemos can be defined, to address climate resilience challenges holistically throughout the Mediterranean region. In this sense, the catalogue evaluates the effectiveness of diverse NBS systems that combine various types of NBS across different climates and social contexts, offering valuable insights into their resiliencebuilding potential. In summary, the CARDIMED NBS catalogue represents a comprehensive and innovative approach to documenting, evaluating, and promoting nature-based solutions in the Mediterranean region.  Through meticulous organisation, data collection, and analysis, the CARDIMED catalogue delivers standardised insights into the potential and performance of NBS within the Mediterranean region.