A Global Compendium of Nature-based Solutions in Small-Medium Islands

TL;DR

This paper presents a global dataset of nature-based solutions in small and medium islands to address environmental and societal challenges.

Contribution

The paper introduces a comprehensive open-access dataset of 280 nature-based solutions in small and medium islands.

Findings

The SMI-NbS compendium includes case studies with details on location, ecosystem types, and SDG links.

Current NbS focus on ecological and climate issues, with limited integration of socio-economic challenges.

Abstract

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.

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