Paper short abstract:

Nature-based solutions (NbS) are strategies that address societal challenges while also meeting biodiversity objectives. In this systematic review, we attempt to document the suite of NbS in the savannah belt of Africa to assess their potential to address the unique challenges of these ecosystems.

Paper long abstract:

Nature-based Solutions (NbS) have gained traction in recent years as a new way of framing the discourse surrounding climate change adaptation and mitigation. The theory is that by using nature as the template for solutions to societal challenges, efficiencies can be gained in cost and effectiveness, while at the same time achieving multiple co-benefits. NbS have been demonstrated in several ecosystems and economic sectors around the globe, but when it comes to savanna ecosystems in Africa, there is still a lack of clarity of what is meant by NbS. We undertake a systematic review of literature in the savanna belt of Africa- stretching from Senegal to Tanzania- to understand what constitutes NbS in the context of savannahs. We document the status of these NbS, their uptake in different countries, the evidence basis, the challenges they face, and which ones have the most promise for up-scaling. This review examines 3,448 journal articles from 2018-2022 and filters them following the PRISMA procedures. Results show that there are a wide variety of techniques and strategies that loosely fall under NbS in savannah ecosystems. These can be categorized according to type, approach, sector, and societal challenge addressed. There are varying degrees of evidence for each of these solutions, and varying levels of uptake within local communities. Solutions with the most promise are those that are both inspired and implemented via nature that have an indigenous knowledge basis, achieve multiple co-benefits, and have private sector and scalability potential.