Nature-based Solutions 4
Ecosystems and Their Role in Nature-based Solutions (NbS)
Nature is more than a scenic backdrop—it is the foundation of human health, safety, and welfare. As our planet faces escalating climate and health crises, Nature-based Solutions (NbS) offer a compelling path forward by leveraging the power of ecosystems to address some of the most urgent challenges of our time.
From wetlands to woodlands, grasslands to coral reefs, ecosystems are not passive environments. They are living systems that regulate climate, purify air, soil, and water, store carbon, support food systems, and promote mental and physical health. In short, ecosystems are infrastructure, and their conservation is as vital to human health and well-being as any clinical intervention.
Understanding Ecosystems in the Context of NbS
Nature-based Solutions rely on the functionality, diversity, and resilience of ecosystems. They are designed not just to protect the environment, but to improve human health outcomes—especially in the face of climate change, disaster risk, disease burden, and social inequities.
The power of NbS lies in restoring or enhancing ecosystem services—the benefits people receive from nature. These services are typically grouped into four categories:
Provisioning (food, water, medicine)
Regulating (climate regulation, flood control)
Supporting (nutrient cycling, biodiversity conservation)
Cultural (recreation, spiritual and aesthetic value)
Examples of Ecosystems Supporting NbS
🌿 Forests
Forests absorb carbon dioxide, reduce urban heat, and provide a buffer against air pollution. Reforestation and urban tree-planting projects improve respiratory health, reduce energy demand, and offer mental health benefits—especially in hospital-adjacent neighborhoods.
🌾 Wetlands
Wetlands act as natural water filters and storm buffers. Restoring wetlands helps reduce the risk of flooding, improves water quality, and mitigates mosquito-borne diseases like malaria and dengue.
🌱 Grasslands and Prairies
These ecosystems store carbon in soil and support pollinators critical to agriculture and food systems. Grassland restoration in rural communities also prevents erosion and supports local food security.
🌊 Coral Reefs and Coastal Ecosystems
Mangroves, seagrasses, and coral reefs protect coastal areas from storm surges, support fisheries, and are vital for nutrient cycling. In tropical and island settings, healthy marine ecosystems are essential to physical health and economic resilience.
Why Healthcare Systems Should Care
Healthy ecosystems mean healthier people. When we degrade ecosystems, we compromise access to clean water, nutritious food, breathable air, and disease regulation.
Healthcare systems can no longer treat environmental degradation as outside their purview. The ripple effects of ecosystem loss show up every day in emergency rooms, primary care offices, and public health data.
Nature-based Solutions grounded in ecosystem protection and restoration help prevent illness, reduce healthcare costs, and increase community resilience.
The Path Forward: Integrating Ecosystem Thinking into Healthcare
To realize the full potential of NbS, healthcare and public health leaders must:
Partner with environmental scientists, engineers, and local communities to identify priority ecosystems in their region.
Invest in green infrastructure projects that preserve or restore ecosystem function around healthcare facilities and public commons.
Educate providers and policymakers on the health and wellness benefits of ecosystem services.
Support cross-sector collaboration that brings healthcare, urban planning, and conservation into alignment.
Conclusion: Ecosystems Are Essential Allies
The ecosystems that surround us are not expendable—they are essential partners in human health and healing. By aligning Nature-Based Solutions with ecosystem protection and restoration, we can tackle multiple challenges at once: climate adaptation, chronic disease prevention, biodiversity loss, and systemic inequities.
As stewards of both people and planet, we must remember: a healthy environment is not a luxury—it’s a prerequisite for a healthy society.
