Author(s): Borjana Bogatinoska; Madieke Van Oosterhout; Pascal Dannerberg; Jord J. Warmink
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Keywords: No Keywords
Abstract: Nature-based solutions (NbS) are increasingly applied in European river basins to address hydrological extremes while supporting ecological restoration. However, their hydrological functioning and context dependence remain insufficiently understood in engineered lowland systems. This study synthesizes two complementary research strands: qualitative expert-based research on Eurasian beaver impacts and quantitative modelling of riverine wetlands in a Dutch lowland catchment. The combined analysis identifies shared hydrological mechanisms including storage enhancement, runoff delay, and connectivity shifts. Results show that both ecosystem-engineered and designed NbS reduce peak flows and increase water retention, although drought mitigation effects are spatially dependent. The findings highlight complementarity between NbS types and support hybrid strategies for multifunctional river resilience.
Year: 2026