People will be assisted in coping with the negative effects of climate change through an integrated, nature-based strategy that makes use of biodiversity and ecosystem services which is ecosystem based adaptation. People are becoming progressively threatened by human-caused climate change. Additionally, it is endangering the natural world and the advantages and services it provides, including nature's capacity to aid in our adaptation to climate change. In the first joint study by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, changes in biodiversity have a significant impact on climate, particularly through effects on the nitrogen, carbon, and water cycles.

While literature about the role of Biodiversity in adaptation initiatives is insufficient, the success achieved by embedding Biodiversity in EbA is felt at multiple levels. This is mainly by virtue of its comprehensiveness, proactiveness, and climate resilience, which influences landscape-level factors and has significant socio-economic implications. Moreover, the broad base and variety, from the soil microbes to the higher-order organisms across multiple levels, i.e., genetic, species and ecosystem, present a significant vantage point to tackle climatic issues and offer livelihood benefits. For instance, the plethora of Ecosystem Based Adaptation goods and services obtained through better integration of Biodiversity in EBA can be bundled and strengthened by sustainable financing to enhance rural income.

Positive socio-economic conditions, in turn, are known to influence the adaptive capacity of species, ecosystems and the human community. This is especially pertinent for the vulnerable and developing geographies of the world, which remain rich in terms of natural capital yet disadvantaged on multiple fronts.  For instance, Sub-Saharan Africa, one of the most species-rich regions in the world, is also one of the poorest and runs a risk of losing close to 10% of its real GDP to the collapse of ecosystem services. This elucidates a causal nexus between socio-economic conditions and adaptive capacities, effected by the far-reaching role of Biodiversity. Based on these sophisticated linkages, reasonable correlations can be made about the ability of Biodiversity to both leverage and reinforce the natural capacity of ecosystems to support human adaptation and planetary well-being.

The goods and services of the ecosystem, such as food and clean water supply, are affected by shifting weather patterns which is a result of climate changes. These resources have a massive effect on peoples’ lives; hence it is vital to find methods and strategies to deal with the consequences of climate changes on human lives. Ecosystem-based adaptation or EbA is a way of living which promotes conservation, restoration, and sustainable management of ecosystems. Ecobari is a nature-based solution that leverages the power of ecosystem services and biodiversity to reduce vulnerability and build sturdy resilience to climate changes.

Ecosystem-Based Adaptation

The use of biodiversity and ecosystem resources to assist people in adapting to the detrimental effects of climate change is referred to as “ecosystem-based adaptation.” EBA is founded on the idea that healthy ecosystems may help people become more adaptable to climatic and non-climatic hazards by ensuring essential ecological services.

When deteriorated trees and wastelands are rejuvenated, they give flood control benefits and require fewer financial resources, unlike dams. It would also provide co-benefits for the ecosystems and inhabitants and enhance biodiversity. This is an example of an ecological adaptation with no loss and only gain with great benefits, even changing climate uncertainty.

The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 2009 defined Ecosystem-based Adaptation as “the use of biodiversity and ecosystem services as part of an overall adaptation strategy to help people and communities adapt to the negative effects of climate change at local, national, regional and global levels.” It is an ecosystem and human-centric approach where none of the two are neglected and both are benefited. At WOTR, we lead many large-scale water- shed development projects across India using the holistic component of EbA.