WC132 SeptOct 2023 - Magazine - Page 24
NATURAL INFRASTRUCTURE
of spatially targeted decision options, SOLUTIONSCAPES explicitly considers tradeoffs and synergies
at the intersection of climate, water, and food.
What is a solutionscape?
The project defines ‘solutionscape’ as an integrated
solution landscape, within which multiple climate
and water solutions are simultaneously implemented in spatially targeted, and regionally coordinated
configurations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
and sequester carbon while improving water quality, ecosystem services, and community health and
wellbeing.
“In the past, research has often been limited to
examining individual components of the landscape or
singular benefits at a time, such as carbon sequestration, water quality, or biodiversity preservation,”
says Basu. “Our new project, SOLUTIONSCAPES,
is dedicated to reimagining the very fabric of our
landscapes, integrating nature-based climate solutions
with cutting-edge technologies to create a harmonious balance between food production, energy
systems, and water resources.”
Through meticulous analysis, strategic modeling,
and stakeholder engagement, the research team
strives to develop comprehensive portfolios of restoration scenarios that not only mitigate greenhouse gas
emissions but also enhance water security, ecosystem
sustainability, and resilience.
“I am excited about the systems approach that
SOLUTIONSCAPES is taking,” says co-investigator
Elena Bennett, Canada research chair in Sustainability Science at McGill University. She adds, “Framing
solutions in terms of trade-offs and synergies can be
very helpful to policymakers because they need to understand where there is a potential for loss or negative
outcomes, and how these can be mitigated.”
Smart solutions in working landscapes
The project examines three categories of water and
climate-smart solutions, chosen for their potential
to provide significant gains. These solutions include
agricultural climate practices, such as conservation agriculture (cover crops, tillage) and nutrient
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WATER C AN ADA • SEP TEMBER/OCTOBER 2023
WAT E R C A N A D A . N E T
