Benefits of nature based solutions
This information is part of our Corporate Plan to 2030
How nature-based solutions can bring wider benefits for nature, for climate and for people.
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Peatland restoration
Benefits for nature of peatland restoration
Habitat improvement will help birds like golden plover, curlew, hen harriers and dunlin
Improved habitat will filter airborne pollution and improve river water quality
More reliable water supply for freshwater habitats
Benefits for climate action of peatland restoration
Healthy peatland keeps carbon locked up in soil
Reduced risk of erosion and loss of soil
Rewetting of peatland and revegetation of bare moore means reduced risk of wildfires
Benefits for people of peatland restoration
Improved quality of water supply and less treatment needed to clean up discoloured water
Alleviation of flooding to properties downstream
Sustainable livestock production produces food and fibre (wool)
Hill walking and tourism in iconic upland landscapes like national parks
Woodland creation and restoration
Benefits for nature of woodland creation and restoration
Woodland creation and restoration leads to better ecosystem connectivity
Increased biodiversity such as bats, dormice and birds like the pied flycatcher and redstart
Improved water availability and nutrient cycling adds to soil biodiversity to support ecosystem function
Benefits for climate of woodland creation and restoration
Carbon storage in new woodland
Cooling along river corridors – important for freshwater habitat
Timber building materials substituting for high carbon ones
Benefits for people of woodland creation and restoration
Slowing the flow – good for drought and flood alleviation
Sense of place and recreational opportunities deliver physical and mental well-being benefits
Woods near urban areas reduce noise and air pollution
Sustainable economic activity using timber products
Coastal and marine habitat restoration
Benefits for nature of coastal and marine habitat restoration
Seagrass meadows and kelp forests will store more carbon and provide habitats for species like seahorses and otters
Improved coastal water quality for wildlife
Managed realignment benefits wading birds like ringed plover, redshanks and oyster catchers
Benefits for climate of coastal and marine habitat restoration
Increased carbon storage in seagrass and kelp
Managed retreat helps adaptation to climate change
Increased flooding alleviated by saltmarshes, dunes and seagrass
Benefits for people of coastal and marine habitat restoration
Reduced risk of flooding of coastal properties
Managed realignment and restoration of saltmarshes provides livestock grazing
Coastal recreation and tourism
Improved fisheries deliver economic benefits
Semi-natural grassland restoration
Benefits for nature of semi-natural grassland restoration
Reducing runoff of polluted water protects freshwater and marine habitats and species
Benefits for soil biodiversity, bees, butterflies, small mammals and birds
Better management will help with control of Invasive species like Himalayan balsam
Benefits for climate of semi-natural grassland restoration
Habitat regeneration reduces risk of wildfires
Greater plant species diversity helps greater carbon storage
Increased carbon storage particularly in in acid grasslands
Benefits for people of semi-natural grassland restoration
More reliable supply of drinking water
Reduced risk of flooding
Improved soil quality benefits farming
Livestock production – food and fibre (wool)
Integrated catchment management
Benefits for nature of integrated catchment management
River restoration to ‘slow the flow’ will benefit salmon, trout, water voles, frogs, toads, and newts
Wetlands, such as floodplain meadows, support amphibians and reptiles and wading birds such as Curlew and Lapwing
Habitat regeneration leads to improved air quality
Benefits for climate of integrated catchment management
Slowing the flow of water through the catchment reduces risk of erosion
Cooling along river corridors benefits freshwater biodiversity
Increased ecosystem connectivity helps adaptation to climate change
Benefits for people of integrated catchment management
Improved quality of water supply
Reduced risk of drought and loss of water supply for people
Reduced risk of river flooding to properties
Improved recreation such as angling
Urban green infrastructure
Benefits for nature of urban green infrastructure
Developments built with wildlife such as swifts and bats in mind
Improved quality of freshwater habitat
Altered management of gardens, parks and verges benefits birds, bees, insects and butterflies
Benefits for climate of urban green infrastructure
Green infrastructure reduces stormwater runoff and urban flooding
Sustainable urban drainage systems incorporated in new development
Urban cooling from trees, parks and green roofs
Benefits for people of urban green infrastructure
Sustainable urban drainage reduces risk of flooding to properties
Improved access to greenspace brings physical and mental well-being benefits
Improved air and water quality brings human health benefits
Regeneration attracts inward investment