Nature-based Natural-hazard Preparedness:A Cross Section of Categorized Examples

Despite prevailing interests,no rigorous research has been conducted to examine the role of nature in natural-hazard preparedness.This systematic review aimed to describe how nature can reduce the impacts of natural hazards during the preparedness stage.The study focuses on the land,water,and air systems and on three types of stakeholders:international organizations,developed countries,and developing countries.Further,it provides supplementary strategies,such as immediate actions,local engagement,and research and development,that the stakeholders should apply to enhance their nature-based natural-hazard preparedness.We suggest integrating costs and benefits analysis,local culture,societal challenges,and environmental justice into the implementation of nature-based solutions.Finally,this review outlines the framework of nature-based natural-hazard preparedness by discussing the relationship between nature and society.

Does nature-based solution sustain grassland quality? Evidence from rotational grazing practice in China

Rotational grazing is considered as one of the nature-based solutions(NbS)to grassland protection by natural scientists.However,its effects on improving grassland quality are still unclear when it is adopted by herders.Using a householdlevel panel data from field survey in two main pastoral provinces of China,empirical results from fixed-effect model and instrumental approach show that rotational grazing practices have insignificant short-term effects on grassland quality,but have positive long-term effects.In addition,rotational grazing practices can improve grassland quality when villages invest public infrastructure or herders have private supporting measures for more efficiency livestock production.Further analysis shows that herders adopting rotational grazing have higher grazing intensity,higher supplementary intensity and more livestock-house-feeding days,which indicate herders can utilize more efficient livestock management without increasing pressure on natural grassland.We also find that herders with pastoral income are more likely to adopt rotational grazing practice.These insightful findings offer policy implications on promoting grassroot NbS for ecosystem protection and resource utilization in developing pastoral countries.

Urban Planning Based on Nature—A Nature-Based Solution

After an international contest announced by the City of Abu Dhabi “Cool Abu Dhabi Challenge”1 and the article published as a digest of a paper titled A Nature-based Solution [1], the decision has been made to take part in improving thermal comfort in public spaces by mitigating the impact of the effect of Urban Heat Islands (UHI)2 in the city of the Belgrade. The basic research aims at achieving the balance between the conflicting impacts when the buildings with their infrastructure and water-green surrounding area are in such correlation that it fulfils acceptable living and heating standards and reduces the use of fossil fuels for cooling the urban areas (buildings). By implementing the remote detection it is possible to analyze and quantify the impact of over-building on the temperature rise in urban areas as well as the disturbance of the heating comfort and the increased demand for additional cooling. Now it is possible to create virtual models that will incorporate this newly-added urban vegetation into urban plans, depending on the evaporation potential that will affect the microclimate of the urban area. Such natural cooling can be measured and adapted and hence aimed at a potential decrease in areas with UHI emissions [2]. Suitable greenery in the summer season can be a useful improvement which concurrently enables and complements several cooling mechanisms—evaporative cooling and evapotranspiration, i.e. natural cooling systems. The remote detection shall establish and map the “healthy” and “unhealthy” greenery zones—that is the vegetation zones with the highest evaporative potential with the “cooling by evaporation” effect and also, by implementing the urban prediction model, it shall propose green infrastructure corridors aimed at a potential decrease in the Urban Heat Island Emission.

Modelling of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) for Urban Water Management—Investment and Outscaling Implications at Basin and Regional Levels

This manuscript is an attempt to demonstrate effectiveness of nature-based solutions (NBS) and measures to reduce risk of flooding and environmental impact in urban settings. The nature-based solutions (NBS) were assessed as scenarios from experience of urban storm drainage and sewerage systems based on practices that improve urban water management through modelling using urban stormwater management model (SWMM). The model has been applied in a typical urban environment in the second city in Botswana, the City of Francistown, which has a population of more than one hundred thousand. By considering the 2-yr and 10-year storm events in a calibrated SWMM, NBS scenarios from a mix of low impact and drainage measures were considered. The considered NBS scenarios were used to determine their effectiveness in terms of reducing and controlling peak runoff, flood volumes, infiltration and evapotranspiration in the study area, which are vital in assessing the opportunity and challenge for sustainable management of water resources and associated tradeoff of investments in the urban contexts. The study demonstrates the usefulness of implementing effective measures for achieving NBS in urban context and possibility of outscaling at basin and regional levels.

Nature-Based Therapy for People Suffering from Post-Concussion Syndrome—A Pilot Study

Background: Approximately 10% - 15% of people diagnosed with a concussion develop post-concussion syndrome (PCS), in which mental fatigue is a dominating symptom. PCS has major consequences for the individuals diagnosed, and society as a whole. Objective: The objective of the pilot study was to investigate whether a nature-based therapeutic (NBT) intervention would be suitable for ameliorating the symptoms experienced by people with PCS, especially mental fatigue. Method: Eight participants diagnosed with PCS took part in a NBT programme, which consisted of weekly two-hour sessions over the course of eight weeks. The participants’ level of mental fatigue was measured on the Mental Fatigue Scale (MFS) before and after the intervention. An analogue scale inspired by the EuroQol-visual analogue scales (EQ-VAS) was used to measure immediate self-perceived feeling of health/ well-being before and after individual sessions. A semi-structured interview was held with each participant after the intervention. The interviews and logbooks were analysed through content analysis, which entails several steps in a spiral-like process, from reading and re-reading the transcripts to forming units of meaning, which were then grouped into sub-categories and categories for further analysis. Result: The MFS showed a significant decrease in mental fatigue and large effect size. The participants’ self-assessed health/ well-being on the analogue scale showed an increase from the beginning to the end of each session. The analysis of the interviews revealed that the participants experienced the sensory stimuli and exercises in the natural environment as motivating and meaningful, even when they were challenging. Further, they found the psycho-educational aspects transferable to everyday life. Conclusion: The results support that NBT can have potential in the rehabilitation of PCS, by lowering mental fatigue and improving health and well-being. The NBT was further found to be experienced as enjoyable and motivating with good transferability to everyday life.

Assessing effectiveness of nature-based solution with big earth data:60 years mangrove plantation program in Bangladesh coast

Background In the climate change context,nature-based solution(NBS)is considered one of the effective tools to increase the resilience of socio-ecological system.The concept coincides with the government’s attempts of afforestation and reforestation programs that have been going on for 60 years in Bangladesh.This study,therefore,envisaged understanding how NBS(mangrove afforestation and reforestation)works to promote climate change resilience through the synthetization of remote sensing-based big earth data,statistical tools,and models.The study took the entire coast of Bangladesh except for Sundarbans Reserve Forest and rolled back to 1962 to work on 60 years’time series data.Declassified CORONA satellite imagery along with Landsat satellite imagery was used,which is the first-ever attempt in the remote sensing-based ecosystem work in Bangladesh.Results The study’s main innovation is to spatially establish the effectiveness of the NBS.The study critically assessed and estimated stable lands and their socio-economic benefits as part of the effectiveness of the NBS.As part of the NBS-derived benefits in the context of climate change,it estimated the sequestrated carbon in mangrove forests.A significant positive relationship was observed between the increase of mangroves and stable lands.Near about 448,011 ha of agricultural land was stabilized due to the NBS intervention whose economic value is 18,837 million USD.In addition,29,755.71 kt of carbon have been sequestrated due to NBS program.Conclusions The concept of NBS is still in the development stage and very little or no work has been done so far in measuring and labeling the effectiveness of the NBS.Therefore,our study can innovatively contribute to the scientific community to show the effectiveness of the NBS in three domains(social,economic and ecological)in the changing climatic scenario.

Nature-based recreation for the elderly in urban areas:assessing opportunities and demand as planning support

Background:With elderly people comprising a growing share of the population,landscape planners need to consider their specific requirements to enhance the opportunities for them to engage in nature-based recreation(NBR).However,few studies have spatially assessed the recreation potential,demand,and opportunities for elderly people in cities.Thus,this paper aimed to spatially model and investigate the NBR opportunities for and demand of elderly people in urban areas.A spatial framework based on the ESTIMAP recreation model was developed,considering special factors to better reflect elderly people’s preferences regarding NBR at the city scale.In particular,NBR opportunities were assessed considering landscape aesthetics,various types of facilities,and proximity.The street network was used to understand elderly people’s walking behaviours regarding green spaces and related facilities.Results:A case study in Hannover,Germany,demonstrated the applicability of the proposed method.The results illustrate the spatial heterogeneity of recreation options for the elderly.Only parts of Hannover’s green spaces offer high recreation opportunities for elderly people.Many of the existing green spaces lack diverse landscape compo-nents and sufficient supply of facilities,resulting in a compromise to aesthetics and recreational opportunities.Conclusions:The proposed method contributes to research on spatial planning and environmental justice by incorporating vulnerable groups’preferences and needs in spatially assessing NBR.The planning implications highlight pocket gardens and greenways connecting communities and parks as development opportunities in the city.

Barriers and Drivers for Mainstreaming Nature-Based Solutions for Flood Risks: The Case of South Korea

Nature-based solutions(NBS)are seen as a promising adaptation measure that sustainably deals with diverse societal challenges,while simultaneously delivering multiple benefits.Nature-based solutions have been highlighted as a resilient and sustainable means of mitigating floods and other hazards globally.This study examined diverging conceptualizations of NBS,as well as the attitudinal(for example,emotions and beliefs)and contextual(for example,legal and political aspects)barriers and drivers of NBS for flood risks in South Korea.Semistructured interviews were conducted with 11 experts and focused on the topic of flood risk measures and NBS case studies.The analysis found 11 barriers and five drivers in the attitudinal domain,and 13 barriers and two drivers in the contextual domain.Most experts see direct monetary benefits as an important attitudinal factor for the public.Meanwhile,the cost-effectiveness of NBS and their capacity to cope with flood risks were deemed influential factors that could lead decision makers to opt for NBS.Among the contextual factors,insufficient systems to integrate NBS in practice and the ideologicalization of NBS policy were found to be peculiar barriers,which hinder consistent realization of initiatives and a long-term national plan for NBS.Understanding the barriers and drivers related to the mainstreaming of NBS is critical if we are to make the most of such solutions for society and nature.It is also essential that we have a shared definition,expectation,and vision of NBS.

Fast action on short-lived climate pollutants and nature-based solutions to help countries meet carbon neutrality goals

Scientific studies show that fast actions to reduce near-term warming are essential to slowing self-reinforcing climate feedbacks and avoiding irreversible tipping points.Yet cutting CO_(2) emissions only marginally impacts near-term warming,This study identifies two of the most ffective mitigation strategies to limit near-term warming beyond CO_(2) mitigation,namely reducing short-lived climate pollutants(SLCPs)and promoting targeted nature-based solutions(NbS),and comprehensively reviews the latest scientifie progress in these fields.Studies show that quickly reducing SLCP emissions,particularly hydrofuorocarbons(HFCs),methane,and black carbon,from ll relevant sectors can avoid up to 0.6℃ of warming by 2050.Additionally,promoting targeted NbS that protect and enhance natural carbon sinks ncluding in forests,wetlands,grasslands,and agricultural lands,can avoid emssions of 23.8 Gt of CO_(2)e per year in 2030,without jeopardizing food security and biodiversity.Based on the scientific evidence,we provided a series of policy recommendations on SLCPs and NbS,including:1)implementing the Kigali Amendment to reduce HFC emissions;2)deploying cost-effective,sector-based measures to reduce methane and black carbon emissions;and 3)implementing targeted NbS to protect and enhance existing carbon sinks and shifting away from forest-burning bioenergy.These fast-acting strategies on SLCPs and NbS will play a key role in securing the most avoided warming in the near-term and help countries meet their mid-century carbon neutrality goals.Finally,we proposed future research topics,including:improving measurement and monitoring systems and techniques for SLCP emissions;developing and improving assessments of marginal abatement costs for SLCP mitigation in dfferent sectors;better quantifying the avoided warming potential from protecting dfferent types of natural carbon sinks by 2030,2050,and over longer periods;and identifying whether there are any biomass types for energy sources that are consistent with the United Nations Environment Assembly's 2022 resolution adopting a definition of NbS.Further research in these areas could help address barriers to adoption and assist countries with better integrating the most effective SLCP and NbS strategies into their climate policies.

Planetary Homeostasis of Reactive Nitrogen Through Anaerobic Ammonium Oxidation

The availability of nitrogen(N)is crucial for both the productivity of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems globally.However,the overuse of artificial fertilizers and the energy required to fix nitrogen have pushed the global nitrogen cycle(N-cycle)past its safe operating limits,leading to severe nitrogen pollution and the production of significant amounts of greenhouse gas nitrous oxide(N2O).The anaerobic ammonium oxidation(anammox)mechanism can counteract the release of ammonium and N2O in many oxygenlimited situations,assisting in the restoration of the homeostasis of the Earth’s N biogeochemistry.In this work,we looked into the characteristics of the anammox hotspots’distribution across various types of ecosystems worldwide.Anammox hotspots are present at diverse oxic-anoxic interfaces in terrestrial systems,and they are most prevalent at the oxic-anoxic transition zone in aquatic ecosystems.Based on the discovery of an anammox hotspot capable of oxidizing ammonium anoxically into N2 without N2O by-product,we then designed an innovative concept and technical routes of nature-based anammox hotspot geoengineering for climate change,biodiversity loss,and efficient utilization of water resources.After 15 years of actual use,anammox hotspot geoengineering has proven to be effective in ensuring clean drinking water,regulating the climate,fostering plant and animal diversity,and enhancing longterm environmental quality.The sustainable biogeoengineering of anammox could be a workable natural remedy to resolve the conflicts between environmental pollution and food security connected to N management.

Reflections on Studying Huang Di Nei Jing in the West

Huang Di Nei Jing(《黄帝内经》The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic) has been the source text of Chinese medicine knowledge and innovation for over two thousand years. Despite this key relevance, many of its ideas and practices have proven difficult to understand and implement fully into clinical practice. Cultural and language differences can be compounded with these challenges but may also present new opportunities for advancement and insight when studied by researchers outside of the originating culture. This article introduces the method of Classical-Text Archaeology and delves into the author’s two-decade journey of researching this text, with a discussion on cultural differences and issues of medical scholarship.

Improving Forest Soil Health and Ecosystem Services to Minimize the Impact of Climate Change

The presence of increasing quantities of greenhouse gases is fostering climate change. This review chronicles the emerging research addressing the role of soil to sequester carbon across biomes, understand the soil mechanisms responsible for soil carbon preservation and indicate the need to estimate the intensity for site-specific carbon sequestration. To negate the continuing increase of atmospheric greenhouse gases requires using well-documented soil pathways to sequester carbon. For deciduous forests, emerging concepts center around two approaches: 1) increasing the ecosystem’s net primary productivity coupled with increasing the carbon supply into soil using appropriate land management practices, and 2) supporting soil processes that increase soil carbon retention. New perspectives suggest that soil carbon may be preferentially preserved because organic materials are adsorbed onto phyllosilicates and oxyhydroxides and subsequently protected from microbial degradation because of soil structure improvement. Thus, augmenting soil structure may promote soil organic matter persistence. Each soil has a soil carbon carrying capacity;however, soil survey databases infer that soil organic matter concentrations have a significant variance at the soil series level. The need exists for more precise estimates of the soil’s carbon carrying capacity at the pedon level to support land management practices that encourage land management options designed to preserve soil carbon. However, the complexity of the soil system may limit its usefulness for routine soil management decisions. Our modern understanding of soil carbon preservation processes and emerging soil carbon saturation deficit concepts may potentially improve decision support tools for managing soils for carbon sequestration.

A rapid assessment method for calculating the drag coefficient in wave attenuation by vegetation

Vegetation in wetlands is a large-scale nature-based resource that can provide multiple benefits to human beings and the environment,such as wave attenuation in coastal zones.Traditionally,there are two main calibration approaches to calculate the attenuation of wave driven by vegetation.The first method is a straightforward one based on the exponential attenuation of wave height in the direction of wave transmission,which,however,overlooks the crucial drag coefficient(CD).The other method is in accordance with more complicate equations for predicting the damping factor,which is regarded as a function of CD.In this study,a new relation,combining these above two conventional approaches,is proposed to predict the CD in an operative approach.Results show that values yielded by the new assessment method perform a strong linear relationship with a collection of historical observations,with a promising R2 value of 0.90.Besides,the linear regression derives a new predictive equation for the bulk drag coefficient.Additionally,a calibrated value of 4 for the empirical plant drag coefficient(CP)is revealed.Overall,this new equation,with the superiority of the convenient exponential regression,is expected to be a rapid assessment method for calculating wave attenuation by vegetation and predicting the drag coefficient.

Motive-based segmentation of international tourists at Gaurishankar Conservation Area,Nepal

Gaurishankar Conservation Area(GCA)is a recently established natural-based protected area in Nepal,which has witnessed an increase in international visitors.To optimize visitor experience,it is essential to examine motivations to visit along with visitors’characteristics and behavioral dispositions.The purpose of this study was to examine international tourists via a motive-based segmentation approach for GCA.In addition,the study also intended to identify visitor segments’profile characteristics such as socio-demographic,travel behaviors,satisfaction,loyalty intention,and their willingness to pay for higher entrance fees.Data(N=121)were collected among international tourists visiting GCA either as a primary destination or as a transit point.Results identified three distinct segments of visitors–‘local art and culture enthusiast’,‘escapist’,and‘nature adventurer.’Each cluster was different with regards to their sociodemographics,travelbehavior,satisfaction,willingness to revisit and recommend,and willingness to pay to support the environment and cultural resources,and local economy.The insights gained from motive-based segmentation can be beneficial to GCA to develop specific products and promotions and incorporate visitor monitoring&management programs.

Economic Viability of Smallholder Agroforestry and Beekeeping Projects in Uluguru Mountains, Tanzania: A Cost Benefit Analysis

Agroforestry and beekeeping are widely promoted as prospective Nature- Based Income Generating Activities (NIGAs) to improve livelihoods while at the same time enhancing biodiversity conservation in degrading agro-ecologies. These activities can diversify and increase famers’ incomes and support instinctive biota and fauna resilience. However, evidence to showcase and compare their long-term benefits is scant. We use the case of Uluguru Mountains in Tanzania to evaluate and compare viability of agroforestry and beekeeping projects using the Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) approach. The results of analysis yielded positive NPVs for both agroforestry and beekeeping projects at discount rates not higher than 8.2% and 8.5% respectively. Overall, the comparison of economic viability between agroforestry and beekeeping projects revealed that the former was relatively more profitable than the later in terms of both the NPV and Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) criteria. However, the Internal Rate of Return (IRR) for beekeeping was slightly higher than that of agroforestry. Yet, we underscore the fact that these two projects can jointly be implemented to enhance livelihoods of farmers and support biodiversity conservation in the study area and other parts with similar agro-ecologies in developing countries. However, farmers in these agro-ecologies need to be supported by governments and non-government development partners in terms of training and inspiration to shift from orthodox farming to sustainable NIGAs.

Coastal protection using building with nature concept:A case study from Chongming Dongtan Shoal,China

With climate change and rising sea levels,the coastal zone’s flood risk is deteriorating.Previous researches have shown a gradually degrading capacity of traditional hard engineering structures(e.g.,seawall,dikes)on flood mitigation due to problems such as land subsidence and insufficient maintenance.To remedy the defects,the"building with nature concept"for coastal protection with saltmarshes was examined by combining field measurements and numerical simulations.The advantages of saltmarsh over traditional seawall on flood protection was demonstrated from the perspective of both flood area mitigation and economic gain,based on scenario simulations.Results show that tidal wetlands are essential in mitigating significant wave heights(Hs)and current velocities even during storm conditions.The storm wave and current velocity reduction ratio(RRw and RRc)by saltmarshes on Chongming Dongtan Shoal(CMDS)during Typhoon 9711 is approximately 11%and 51%,respectively.The wave and current mitigation by Scirpus mariqueter are more efficient than Spartina alterniflora and Phragmites australis during measurements in 2010,which were approximately 0.3 m and 0.2 m/s,0.125 m and 0.155 m/s,0.086 m and 0.128 m/s per kilometer width,respectively.The summer saltmarsh area 54.2 km2 on CMDS protects approximately 32 km^(2)land area behind the seawall from being flooded,equivalent to the seawall heightening of approximately 0.42 m on equivalent flood mitigation.The performance of cost-and-benefit analysis shows a relatively higher(by 3%–7%)net present value(NPV)and a higher(by 1.5 times)benefit-cost ratio(BC)of nature-based solution(i.e.,saltmarsh restoration)compared with traditional hard engineering solution(i.e.,seawall construction).Thus,building seawall with nature,such as a hybrid flood protection measure,should be implemented in the future coastal redesign and maintenance.

The“Urban Water Machine”:A Landscape-Based Approach for Urban Planning

Climate change is confronting cities across the globe,resulting in extreme weather conditions:floods,droughts,forest fires,and hurricanes.These natural hazards have become so severe that it is increasingly difficult to manage them.Urbanization,which has marginalized nature and water over time,has exacerbated these conditions.By replacing natural features with hardscape,cities are less adaptive to environmental fluctuations,and climate-related hazards are intensified,through heat island effect for example.Streets,squares,and parts of the city are inundated by water.The need to give space to water and nature in the city is more urgent than ever.The essential relationship between water and humans gave birth to our cities.This relationship has evolved across time and geography,and our current climate and ecological crises are calling us to take the next step in this evolution.Improving natural systems within the city,including a holistic approach for rivers,waterways,and green corridors,will improve resilience to flash floods and drought,contribute to heat mitigation,and improve urban living conditions.It will create possibilities for new economic,environmental,community,and social developments.A contemporary and healthy relationship between humanity and nature requires creating a basic,sustainable,spatial framework that upgrades and connects larger green and water(blue)structures.These blue-green structures should also be linked within the city and within its neighborhoods.The new mechanism to balance water in the city will be an integrated system,what we call the“urban water machine”.By integrating our natural and man-made water systems with each other,and with green spaces in and around the urban environment,we can regenerate the“urban water machine”and use it as the basis for a truly holistic approach to spatial planning.To shape our contemporary relationship with water,it is important to develop both innovative design tools and spatial typologies.A design approach based on the“urban water machine”provides climate adaptive solutions with nature-based design tools within the green landscape framework combined with blue-green design tools in public spaces.Such a holistic approach will help to care for the city as a whole,making them more beautiful,vibrant,and resilient.

How Should Mine Reclamation Design Effectively Respond to Climate Change? A Mini Review Opinion

Climate change is a growing concern with each of the last three decades being successively warmer than preceding decades. Mine wastes are mandatory required to be reclaimed after mine operation due to their high risks of contaminating environment and huge volumes occupying large useable land resources. However, most traditional mine reclamation plans are designed with an assumption of unchanged, consistent conditions of environment, climate and hydrology conditions, which may not work properly under the global climate change. This paper discussed the previously ignored problem that is how mine reclamation design should effectively respond to climate change. Through reviewing the current responding strategy to the climate change during mine reclamation and closure, this mini review was structured, and the opinion is concluded that the more active the designers consider the factors of climate change, the more manageable, predictable and sustainable the reclaimed ecosystem and landscape are. Nature-based solutions can act as the general guidelines when considering climate change with mine reclamation, and the six-step framework aims more specifically on mine reclamation. The two methods can work together to help designers and regulators to effectively respond to climate change when planning mine reclamation and closure.

Large porewater exchange reshapes saltmarsh carbon and greenhouse gas budgets on local and global scales

Saltmarshes are carbon-rich ecosystems that play a role in climate regulation by efficiently sequestrating atmospheric CO_(2).Climate change is a major threat to saltmarshes and will impact saltmarsh carbon sequestration.Notably,porewater-derived carbon outwelling emerges as a crucial pathway for carbon sequestration,but it has been largely overlooked in saltmarshes.Here,we assessed the drivers of dissolved carbon exports and greenhouse gas emissions in a saltmarsh and placed those observations into a global context.In our study site,porewater exchange(PEX)was the major process controlling dissolved carbon and greenhouse gas dynamics.Combining our results with 33 other studies in saltmarshes worldwide,porewater-derived carbon fluxes were equivalent to~48% of average global saltmarsh primary productivity and 2.2 times greater than global organic carbon burial.Hence,our local observations and global upscaling demonstrate the major role played by PEX in saltmarsh carbon budgets.While part of dissolved inorganic carbon returns to the atmosphere as CO_(2),the remaining bicarbonate fraction is stored in the ocean over long time scales.Our findings strengthen global blue carbon assessments and build arguments for the use of saltmarshes as nature-based solutions for global climate change.

保持土壤湿度对减缓气候变化重要性

A troubling feedback loop, where drier soil contributes to hotter climates, has been widely recognized.This study, drawing on climate model simulations, reveals that maintaining current global soil moisture levels could significantly alleviate 32.9% of land warming under low-emission scenarios. This action could also postpone reaching critical warming thresholds of 1.5 °C and 2.0 °C by at least a decade. Crucially,preserving soil moisture at current levels could prevent noticeable climate change impacts across 42%of the Earth's land, a stark deviation from projections suggesting widespread impacts before the 2060s.To combat soil drying, afforestation in mid-to-low latitude regions within the next three decades is proposed as an effective strategy to increase surface water availability. This underscores the substantial potential of nature-based solutions for managing soil moisture, benefiting both climate change mitigation and ecological enhancement.