Vulnerability and effectiveness of nature-based solutions (NbS) in the farming communities of coastal Bangladesh

Abstract

This study assesses the vulnerability of farming communities and the role of nature-based solutions (NbS) in reducing these vulnerabilities. In Bangladesh, coastal communities are highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, affecting their farming practices and well-being. Thus, this study investigates farmers’ perception of ecosystem vulnerability, socio-economic vulnerability to climate change and the NbS adapted. For this, data were collected through in-depth interviews of about twenty-four farmers (equal ratio of male and female farmers) in Barishal, Bangladesh. The data were analyzed by content analysis method. We found that several factors including increased temperature, income shock, physical and mental health issues, and increased farmers' vulnerability to climate change. NbS can be effective in addressing those vulnerabilities. It can reduce the socio-economic vulnerability features, ecosystem, and impacts of NbS on farmers and agricultural land. It also highlights how the farmers perceive the vulnerability of the socio-ecological system of agriculture. NbS approaches have reduced salinity in the area due to the practice of NbS, improved the livelihood of farmers, enhanced soil fertility, and increased crop production, and community engagement. NbS strategies are implemented in both individual and collaborative methods. Our study implies that adopting NbS in farming practices can help address climate vulnerabilities, positively impacting local livelihoods, community health, and agricultural sustainability, thereby offering a context-specific strategy for resilience in the face of climate change.

Keywords

• Ecosystem vulnerability
• Socio-economic vulnerability
• Climate change
• Farming communities
• Nature-based solutions (NbS)