Nature-based solutions to water-related risks in mountain regions

Mountain regions provide vital ecosystem services that underpin social-ecological wellbeing and health. They represent some of the most sensitive places to climate change globally and face increased risk of floods, droughts, poor water quality, glacial lake outburst floods and landslides.

Nature-based solutions (NbS) include actions which protect, manage and restore natural or modified ecosystems – providing human and ecosystem benefits. NbS comprise interventions such as forest protection, wetland restoration, terracing, infiltration ditches and ice stupas. NbS are widely advocated as a key strategy towards managing water-related risks sustainably and developing appropriate adaptation pathways. However, their application and evidence on their effectiveness in mountain regions is limited.

We welcome contributions that provide new insight into the potential for, application of, or impact of NbS in mountain environments. We encourage observation- and model-driven studies from across the natural and social sciences that consider NbS as part of transformational adaptation approaches.