The NBSOIL Project gathers existing knowledge regarding nature-based solutions (NBS) for soils and how these can be beneficial for society. The knowledge base showcases a portfolio of NBS for soil health addressing the EU Mission Soil objectives.
Nature-based Solutions (NBS) use ecosystems and the services they provide to address societal challenges such as climate change, food security or natural disasters. IUCN defines NBS as actions to protect, sustainably manage and restore natural or modified ecosystems that address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits.
NBSOIL focuses on the following six multifunctional practices to test them as NBS to improve soil health in Europe.
Nutrient-Rich
Contain nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and micronutrients necessary for plant growth.
Soil Improvement
Enhance soil structure, water retention, and aeration.
Eco-Friendly
Reduce chemical runoff and promote a balanced ecosystem.
Slow-Release
Nutrients are released over time, minimizing the risk of over-fertilization.
Woody residues from forestry activities, urban trees and agroforestry systems.
Manure: Animal waste rich in nitrogen and organic matter.
Seaweed, notably invasives or overgrown seaweed.
Food processing wastes from industry, catering and household origin. From fuit and vegetable pulp and peels to animal products such as blood and bone meal.
Encourages microbial activity, helping plants absorb nutrients.
Safe for humans, pets, and beneficial insects like bees.
Reduce chemical runoff and promote a balanced ecosystem.
Converting organic waste, such as food scraps and agro- waste, into nutrient-dense compost through natural decomposition processes.
Using earthworms to break down organic material into high-quality vermicompost, rich in nutrients and beneficial microbes.
Cultivating nitrogen-fixing bacteria and fungi, such as Rhizobium and mycorrhizae, to enrich the soil naturally.
Recycling plant matter and residues from agroforestry systems, ensuring zero waste and sustainable resource use.
Soil Protection
Prevents soil erosion by providing a protective cover.
Nutrient Cycling
Fixes nitrogen and recycles nutrients, making them available for future crops.
Weed Suppression
Competes with weeds, reducing the need for chemical herbicides.
Improved Soil Structure
Adds organic matter, boosting soil aeration and water retention.Contain nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and micronutrients necessary for plant growth.
Biodiversity
Encourages beneficial insects and microorganisms in the soil.
Legumes
Examples:
Clover (Trifolium spp.), alfalfa (Medicago sativa), vetch (Vicia spp.).
Benefits:
Fix atmospheric nitrogen, enriching soil fertility.
Grasses
Examples:
Rye (Secale cereale), oats (Avena sativa), barley (Hordeum vulgare)
Benefits:
Excellent for soil erosion control and adding organic matter.
Brassicas
Examples:
Mustard (Sinapis alba),
radish (Raphanus sativus), turnips (Brassica rapa).
Benefits:
Break up compacted soil with deep roots and suppress pests.
Non-Legume Broadleaves
Examples:
Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum), sunflower (Helianthus annuus).
Benefits:
Attract pollinators and suppress weeds effectively.
Enhances Soil Fertility
Increases nitrogen and organic matter content.
Reduces Soil Erosion
Protects against wind and water erosion.
Improves Water Retention
Helps soil retain moisture, especially in dry seasons.
Reduces Chemical Dependency
Suppresses weeds, pests, and diseases naturally.
Boosts Ecosystem Health
Provides habitat for beneficial insects and pollinators.
Leguminous cover crops (e.g., clover Trifolium spp., or vetch, Vicia spp,.) work with soil microbes to fix atmospheric nitrogen, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers.
Grass cover crops, like rye (Secale cereale,) or oats (Avena sativa,), form a dense root system that stabilizes soil and prevents runoff.
Brassicas like radishes (Raphanus sativus,) and turnips (Brassica rapa,) break up compacted soil layers, improving soil structure and water infiltration.
Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum,) and sunflowers (Helianthus annuus,) provide nectar for pollinators, boosting biodiversity and ecosystem resilience.
Water-Tolerant Crops
Utilizes plants adapted to waterlogged conditions.
Carbon Sequestration
Preserves peatlands’ ability to store significant amounts of carbon, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Biodiversity Enhancement
Provides habitats for diverse flora and fauna in wetland ecosystems.
Enables agricultural production without depleting wetland ecosystems.
Reduces flood risks and helps manage water systems in changing climates.
Reed Plants
Examples:
Common reed (Phragmites australis), bulrush (Schoenoplectus spp.).
Uses:
Biomass for construction materials, bioenergy, and insulation.
Sedges
Examples:
Sawgrass (Cladium mariscus), sedges (Carex spp.).
Uses:
Livestock fodder and traditional weaving materials.
Peat Mosses
Examples:
Sphagnum mosses (Sphagnum spp.).
Uses:
Renewable materials for horticulture and carbon sequestration.
Wetland Crops
Examples:
Cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon), wild rice (Zizania spp.).
Uses:
Food production and niche markets for specialty crops.
Prevents the release of stored carbon from drained peatlands.
Supports the recovery of wetland habitats and biodiversity.
Reduces water usage and improves hydrological cycles.
Provides sustainable income opportunities in wetland areas.
Acts as a natural climate buffer by storing carbon and managing water.
Sphagnum mosses (Sphagnum spp,.) grow naturally in rewetted peatlands, sequestering carbon and restoring wetland ecology.
Common reed (Phragmites australis,) and sedges (Carex spp,.) provide sustainable materials for construction, energy, and handicrafts.
Cultivation of cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon,) and wild rice (Zizania spp,.) supports food production while maintaining wetland hydrology.
Wetland crops reduce the risk of flooding by managing water retention and flow in vulnerable areas.
Utilizes natural processes, reducing the need for harmful chemicals.
bioremediation is often less expensive than conventional cleanup methods.
Effective for soil, water, and air pollution.
Minimizes secondary pollution and supports long-term ecological balance.
Can be tailored to address specific contaminants using specialized organisms.
Examples:
Bacteria (Pseudomonas spp., Bacillus spp.), fungi (Trametes versicolor).
Applications:
Breaks down hydrocarbons in oil spills and removes heavy metals from soil.
Phytoremediation
(Using Plants)
Examples:
Sunflower (Helianthus annuus), willow (Salix spp.), Indian mustard (Brassica juncea).
Applications:
Absorbs and accumulates heavy metals, arsenic, and other toxins.
Mycoremediation
(Using Fungi)
Examples:
Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus), white rot fungi (Phanerochaete chrysosporium).
Applications:
Breaks down complex organic pollutants like pesticides and dyes.
Examples:
Green algae (Chlorella spp.), diatoms (Navicula spp.).
Applications:
Removes excess nutrients and heavy metals from wastewater.
Breaks down harmful substances into non-toxic byproducts.
Cleans contaminated environments, reducing exposure to toxins.
Often requires fewer resources than traditional cleanup methods.
Uses living organisms, reducing the need for chemical or physical interventions.
Supports the restoration of natural biodiversity in polluted areas.
Hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria like Pseudomonas spp,. and Alcanivorax borkumensis, are deployed to break down oil in marine environments.
Phytoremediation plants like Indian mustard (Brassica juncea,) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus,) absorb cadmium, lead, and other heavy metals from contaminated soils.
White rot fungi (Phanerochaete chrysosporium,) degrade persistent organic pollutants such as pesticides and dyes, restoring soil and water quality.
Algae such as Chlorella spp,. and Spirulina spp,. reduce nutrient pollution in wastewater, preventing eutrophication in aquatic systems.
Species Diversity
Incorporates a mix of native and adaptable species.
Structural Complexity
Promotes varied canopy layers and understory vegetation.
Enhanced Ecosystem Services
Improves carbon storage, soil health, and water regulation.
Resilience to Stressors
Reduces vulnerability to pests, diseases, and climate extremes.
Sustainable Resource Use
Supports timber production, non-timber forest products, and habitat conservation.
Examples:
Combining hardwoods like oak (Quercus spp.) with softwoods like pine (Pinus spp.).
Benefits:
Balances timber yield with ecological benefits like biodiversity and soil protection.
Examples:
Agroforestry blends trees, crops, and livestock in systems like holly oak–pasture–cereal–livestock mosaics of the Iberian Montado/Dehesa.
Benefits:
Combines agriculture and livestock management with forest conservation, enhancing income and ecosystem health.
Examples:
Introducing valuable native species like mahogany (Swietenia spp.) or teak (Tectona grandis) into degraded forests.
Benefits:
Restores forest quality and increases economic returns.
Examples:
Encouraging natural growth of diverse native species such as birch (Betula spp.), ash (Fraxinus spp.), and maple (Acer spp.).
Benefits:
Promotes self-sustaining ecosystems and reduces management costs.
Supports a wide range of flora and fauna.
Reduces risks from pests, diseases, and climate variability.
Improves water retention, carbon sequestration, and soil stability.
Yields diverse timber and non-timber products, such as fruits, nuts, and medicinal plants.
Offers spaces for recreation, tourism, and traditional practices.
Reforesting degraded lands with native and complementary species, such as oaks (Quercus spp,.) and chestnuts (Castanea spp,.), enhances biodiversity and ecosystem resilience.
Integrating trees like cacao (Theobroma cacao,) or coffee (Coffea spp,.) with native forest vegetation provides income while conserving biodiversity.
Planting shade-loving plants like ferns (Polypodiopsida spp,.) or medicinal herbs such as ginseng (Panax spp,.) beneath existing trees promotes soil health and biodiversity.
Connecting fragmented forests with diverse native species encourages wildlife movement and genetic diversity, ensuring ecosystem resilience.
Nature-Based Solutions
Mimics natural processes to manage water and improve ecosystems.
Multifunctional Spaces
Combines recreational, ecological, and water management benefits.
Sustainability
Reduces dependency on traditional grey infrastructure, like pipes and dams.
Climate Resilience
Mitigates urban heat islands, flooding, and other climate impacts.
Biodiversity Enhancement
Creates habitats for plants, animals, and pollinators in urban areas.
Examples:
Constructed wetlands for stormwater management.
Benefits:
Filters pollutants, supports biodiversity, and stores floodwaters.
Examples:
Vegetative layers on buildings or vertical gardens.
Benefits:
Regulates building temperature, reduces stormwater runoff, and improves air quality.
Examples:
Green corridors, pocket parks, or urban tree canopies.
Benefits:
Provides cooling effects, enhances biodiversity, and offers recreational spaces.
Examples:
School gardens, community gardens, therapeutic gardens.
Benefits:
Urban agriculture can provide similar cooling and biodiversity effects to parks, with an extra potential of community building and socialisation, learning about agriculture and contributing to food security and health.
Bioswales and Rain Gardens
Examples:
Vegetated channels or gardens designed to absorb and filter stormwater.
Benefits:
Reduces urban flooding and filters pollutants from runoff.
Examples:
Vegetative strips along rivers and streams.
Benefits:
Protects water quality, prevents erosion, and supports aquatic ecosystems.
Captures and stores stormwater, reducing flooding risks.
Creates habitats for wildlife and supports urban ecosystems.
Lowers temperatures through shading and evapotranspiration.
Provides green spaces for recreation and relaxation.
Integrates environmental goals into urban planning.
Designed wetlands mimic natural ecosystems to filter pollutants and manage stormwater, improving water quality and supporting biodiversity.
Rain gardens with plants like sedges (Carex spp,.) and native grasses absorb excess runoff, reducing pressure on drainage systems.
Roofs with plants such as sedum (Sedum spp,.) capture rainwater, improve insulation, and reduce the urban heat island effect.
Planting native vegetation along waterways stabilizes banks, prevents erosion, and enhances habitats for fish and aquatic species.
Expanding tree canopies with species like oak (Quercus spp,.) and maple (Acer spp,.) provides shade, cools urban areas, and sequesters carbon.
