Nature-Based Solutions for the Sustainable Management of Urban Soils and Quality of Life Improvements
Slaveya Petrova,
Iliana Velcheva,
Bogdan Nikolov,
Nikola Angelov,
Gergana Hristozova,
Penka Zaprjanova,
Ekaterina Valcheva,
Irena Golubinova,
Plamen Marinov-Serafimov,
Petar Petrov,
Veneta Stefanova,
Evelina Varbanova,
Deyana Georgieva,
Violeta Stefanova,
Mariyana Marhova,
Marinela Tsankova,
Ivan Iliev
Affiliations
Slaveya Petrova
Department of Ecology and Ecosystem Conservation, Faculty of Biology, University of Plovdiv “Paisii Hilendarski”, 24 Tzar Asen Str., 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Iliana Velcheva
Department of Ecology and Ecosystem Conservation, Faculty of Biology, University of Plovdiv “Paisii Hilendarski”, 24 Tzar Asen Str., 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Bogdan Nikolov
Department of Ecology and Ecosystem Conservation, Faculty of Biology, University of Plovdiv “Paisii Hilendarski”, 24 Tzar Asen Str., 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Nikola Angelov
Department of Ecology and Ecosystem Conservation, Faculty of Biology, University of Plovdiv “Paisii Hilendarski”, 24 Tzar Asen Str., 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Gergana Hristozova
Department of Educational Technologies, Faculty of Physics and Technology, University of Plovdiv “Paisii Hilendarski”, 24 Tzar Asen Str., 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Penka Zaprjanova
Department of Agroecology and Ecosystem Protection, Faculty of Plant Protection and Agroecology, Agricultural University, 12 Mendeleev Blvd., 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Ekaterina Valcheva
Department of Agroecology and Ecosystem Protection, Faculty of Plant Protection and Agroecology, Agricultural University, 12 Mendeleev Blvd., 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Irena Golubinova
Agricultural Academy, Institute of Forage Crops, 89 General Vladimir Vazov Str., 5800 Pleven, Bulgaria
Plamen Marinov-Serafimov
Agricultural Academy, Institute of Forage Crops, 89 General Vladimir Vazov Str., 5800 Pleven, Bulgaria
Petar Petrov
Department of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Restoration, Faculty of Ecology and Landscape Architecture, University of Forestry, 10 Kliment Ohridski Blvd., 1756 Sofia, Bulgaria
Veneta Stefanova
Department of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Restoration, Faculty of Ecology and Landscape Architecture, University of Forestry, 10 Kliment Ohridski Blvd., 1756 Sofia, Bulgaria
Evelina Varbanova
Department of Analytical and Computer Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Plovdiv “Paisii Hilendarski”, 24 Tzar Asen Str., 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Deyana Georgieva
Department of Analytical and Computer Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Plovdiv “Paisii Hilendarski”, 24 Tzar Asen Str., 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Violeta Stefanova
Department of Analytical and Computer Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Plovdiv “Paisii Hilendarski”, 24 Tzar Asen Str., 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Mariyana Marhova
Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Plovdiv “Paisii Hilendarski”, 24 Tzar Asen Str., 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Marinela Tsankova
Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Plovdiv “Paisii Hilendarski”, 24 Tzar Asen Str., 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Ivan Iliev
Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Plovdiv “Paisii Hilendarski”, 24 Tzar Asen Str., 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
The rehabilitation and restoration of land-based ecosystems is a key strategy for recovering the services (goods and resources) ecosystems offer to humankind. The use of nature-based solutions (NBSs) to restore degraded soil functions and improve soil quality can be a sustainable and successful strategy to enhance their ecosystem services by working together with the forces of nature and using well-designed measures that require less maintenance, are more cost-effective, and if constructed in the right way may even be more effective over long periods because nature’s forces can increase the structural efficiency. In this study, we aimed to (i) evaluate the bioremediation capacity of some grasses and their suitability for lawn planting in settlements (in residential and non-residential areas, along roads, etc.) and (ii) propose technological solutions for their practical application in an urban environment. Emphasis was placed on the potential of some perennial grasses and their application for the bioremediation of polluted urban soils, including perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum L.), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb), and bird’s foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.). A case study from the city of Plovdiv (Bulgaria) is presented, together with an effective technological solution for the establishment of urban lawns and the roadside green buffer patches.
