Effectiveness of nature-based solutions (NBSs) has received considerable attention at the United Nations Food Systems Summit (UNFSS), which concluded in September of 2021, and COP26 of UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Glasgow in November of 2021. However, research information about on-the-ground application of NBSs is scanty. There are several social, economic, institutional, and policy barriers to widespread adoption of approaches and strategies to NBSs. Poor institutional readiness and lack of mechanisms to reward farmers/land managers through payments for strengthening ecosystem services (ESs) are among critical issues that need to be addressed. Translation of science into on-the-ground action necessitates close cooperation of researchers and extension staff on one side, with the private sector, policy makers, and land managers on other. Farmers and ranchers must be rewarded for provisioning of key ESs strengthened through the adoption of NBSs, such as for sequestering carbon (C) in soil and vegetation, improving renewability and quality of water resources, strengthening of biodiversity, and adopting nutrition-sensitive agricultural practices.
INTRODUCTION TO NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS
Soil degradation is a global issue of the 21st century. The extent of global soil degradation is estimated at about one-third of all land (IPBES 2019). It affects the wellbeing of 3.2 billion people and costs an equivalent of 10% of world’s annual gross product in 2010. Over 90% of all soils could become degraded by 2050. Estimated rates of soil erosion on arable or excessively grazed lands are 100 to 1,000 times higher than natural erosion rates, with up to 50% loss in crop yield (FAO and ITPS 2015). The UNFSS reported that 811 million people in the world faced hunger in 2020, which was a …
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