Towards the Wise use of Nature: Ecological Perspectives on promoting Green-infrastructure and Nature-based Solutions

Abstract

Recently, Japan has faced social challenges that include a rapidly shrinking population, frequent natural disasters, the stagnation of local economies, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Simultaneously, growing social interest in sustainable development goals and biodiversity conservation has drawn attention to the relationship between corporate management and natural capital. In response, many administrative plans feature concepts related to addressing societal challenges by utilising natural resources and functions, such as green infrastructure, nature-based solutions (NbS), ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction (Eco-DRR), eco- system-based adaptation to climate change (EbA) and the Regional Circular and Ecological Sphere. By summarising domestic and international trends related to these concepts, The Committee for Ecosystem Management of the Ecological Society of Japan discussed key points for sustainable, effective utilisation of natural resources and functions from an ecological perspective and identified 12 points for practitioners and researchers involved in regional planning and project implementation to keep in mind when promoting green infrastructure/NbS. Two basic principles emphasise: "diversity and redundancy" and "regional and his- torical characteristics". Six points cover the characteristics of ecosystems: "the spatial scale of the ecosystem"; and the "changes and dynamics", "connectivity", "functions", and "linkage of ecosystem services"; and "uncertainties" of ecosystems. The remain- ing four points concern the relationships between management and socio-economy, and focus on "the state of governance", "impacts to the local economy and society", "relationship with international goals and related plans" and "education and dis- semination".