The Evolution and Future of Research on Nature-based Solutions to Address Societal Challenges

Abstract Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are widely recognised for their potential to prevent the ongoing biodiversity and climate crises, and to a lesser extent, address a broader range of societal issues. However, this relationship between nature and society is becoming more important as available food and water resources, income, and health, are increasingly impacted by changes to the environment. In this study, a systematic analysis, utilising the seven major societal challenges addressed by NbS according to IUCN, was undertaken to identify the primary themes of the NbS research landscape from 1990–2021 and evaluate how these themes and the societal challenges that they target, evolved over time, and where. Our findings highlight the under-representation of four societal challenges across the NbS research landscape, namely economic and social development, human health, food security, and water security. We propose six research pathways to advance the scientific basis of NbS in these four societal challenges, and present opportunities for future NbS research programs to prioritise the needs of society, the environment, and the economy.