DRYAD fosters a collaborative framework supporting the design and selection of nature-based solutions for climate challenges in Mediterranean regions

The Mediterranean region, shaped for centuries by a mix of farming, grazing, and woodland landscapes, known as agro-silvo-pastoral systems, is now facing increasing pressure from climate change. Rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, and increasingly irregular rainfall patterns are placing ecosystems and rural livelihoods at risk.

Water scarcity, soil degradation, and declining ecosystem resilience are becoming more widespread challenges. In this context, there is a growing need for approaches that can simultaneously support environmental sustainability and socio-economic stability in rural areas.

Nature-based solutions as a strategic response

To respond to these challenges, the Horizon EU DRYAD project promotes Nature-based Solutions (NbS) to strengthen the resilience of these landscapes while supporting local communities and economies.

NbS are increasingly recognised as a key approach to climate adaptation. In Mediterranean Agro-silvo-pastoral Ecosystems (MAEs), they can help retain water in soils, improve groundwater recharge, and reduce the impacts of droughts and extreme rainfall events. At the same time, they contribute to soil restoration, biodiversity conservation, and climate mitigation.

Beyond environmental benefits, NbS also have important socio-economic implications. They can enhance agricultural productivity, create green jobs, and strengthen the resilience of rural communities, which are often among the most vulnerable to climate change impacts.

At the outset of the project, DRYAD identified an initial set of 40 NbS to be explored and assessed across its regions in Spain, Italy, France, Portugal, and Greece. These solutions were identified with the objective of being analysed throughout the project in relation to the specific environmental conditions, socio-economic characteristics, and stakeholder needs of each territory. This process is intended to provide a strong foundation for their subsequent selection, implementation and demonstration.

A structured framework for action: selecting key NbS for MAEs

Following this initial screening, DRYAD has produced the report ‘Selection of Nature-based Solutions for MAEs’, which offers a clear and practical framework for the selection of the most suitable solutions for these systems.

The report aims to move beyond conceptual discussions by offering a practical and consistent framework to identify and select the most suitable solutions for these systems. This allows different NbS to be compared, assessed, and adapted to specific local conditions, facilitating their implementation and demonstration across diverse Mediterranean regions.

A total of 13 NbS were identified and grouped into three main categories and described in a consistent way. This approach helps with comparing options and supports decision-making.

• Water-related NbS: Ways to store and manage water (e.g., drainage ditches, temporary ponds, small farm ponds, and actions to keep water clean).
• Soil-related NbS: Better land and farming practices (e.g., adaptive/rotational grazing, improving soils with biochar, planting diverse pastures, and reducing wildfire risk).
• Biodiversity-related NbS: Actions that support plants and wildlife (e.g., planting trees, creating small habitat areas, protecting trees, and detecting early signs of tree decline).

Co-creation as a core principle

A NbS approach cannot be effective without the active involvement of stakeholders throughout the decision-making process. Farmers, land managers, researchers, and regional authorities have all played a direct role in identifying, discussing, and prioritising the most suitable NbS for their local contexts, making co-creation an essential principle of DRYAD.

This co-creation process goes beyond consultation. It is a collaborative model in which academic and non-academic actors work together to define the problems, shape research design, contribute to data interpretation, and help translate results into practical actions. In this way, knowledge is not only produced for end users but developed with them. By integrating scientific evidence with local experience, the process ensures that the selected NbS are grounded in real-world conditions. This makes them more adaptable to local landscapes, more socially relevant, and more likely to be adopted and maintained over time.

Nature-based solutions implementation

Following the co-creation process, 11 out of the original 13 proposed NbS were selected for implementation and demonstration in DRYAD demonstration regions. This selection reflects technical feasibility and local relevance, ensuring that the interventions can be effectively tested and applied in real-world conditions.

The set of NbS implemented for demonstration in the DRYAD regions illustrates the project’s transition from design to action. These NbS can be explored in detail on the DRYAD website, where users can find information on each NbS, including their main characteristics, implementation sites, and the co-creation processes involved in their development. Explore them here: DRYAD | NbS.

NbS are not isolated actions but part of a broader strategy. By combining nature, innovation, and local knowledge, DRYAD is helping build more resilient Mediterranean landscapes – capable of sustaining both people and nature in a changing climate.

DRYAD

The DRYAD project, funded by the Horizon Europe programme, combines front-line scientific, technological, social, and business innovations as well as transformative solutions. It is centered around development, testing and demonstrating NbS in five demonstration regions including Andalusia and Extremadura (ES), Alentejo (PT), Sardinia (IT) and Aetoloakarnania (EL) (five in Cohesion Fund Regions). The most promising NbS will be replicated in these three replication regions: Castilla-y-León (ES), Occitanie (FR) and Tuscany (IT).

The consortium involves 27 partner organisations from six different countries. Six universities (UDC, UT, UCO, UNISS, UEx, AUA), one national laboratory (LNEG), six  non – governmental organisations  (FEUGA, Fondazione CMCC, Alberitalia, FPNCyL, FSC Italia,  FEDEHESA), three investigation institutes (IST-ID, IFAPA, ISA), one research centre (CNR), three private entities (ICATALIST, AGROOF, Companhia das LEZIRIAS), four public institutions (CCDRA, DX, AG-FORESTAS, CAPADR), and three farmer organisations (UNAC, CONFRAGRICOLTURA, COVAP).

Disclaimer
DRYAD project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No GA 101156076.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. 

Please note, this article will also appear in the 26th edition of our quarterly publication.