Massachusetts
Massachusetts
Documentation:
Aquatic Environments
Lake Restoration
Lakes are essential for biodiversity, storm and flood protection, and recreational value. Lake restoration is a process that makes previously uninhabitable or unhealthy lakes habitable, reducing eutrophication and enhancing recreational value. Lakes are predicted to increase with climate change, making storm protection more valuable. Eutrophication, caused by high nitrogen and/or phosphorus levels, leads to the formation of vegetation and oxygen minimum zones, making it difficult for organisms to survive. Lake restoration is effective in combating eutrophication, but it is not a simple task.
Many organisms must be removed from eutrophicated lakes to prevent recurring eutrophication, as elevated nutrient levels within organisms' tissues can cycle back into the ecosystem. Fawn Lake in Massachusetts, for example, underwent lake restoration to create a healthier environment. Overall, lake restoration is a cost-effective nature-based solution for water management and climate change adaptation, but it requires significant effort and can be expensive, especially for larger lakes like the Great Lakes.
Rainwater Harvesting
Rainwater Harvesting is quite a simplistic, yet effective way to conserve water and limit the amount of polluted runoff from reaching streams. Rainwater Harvesting is the process in which water from storms is collected from an impervious surface and stored for usage at a later date. A major advantage of this NBS is the fact that it can operate in more urban areas as the storage vessel is underground. Rainwater harvesting can be done in a myriad of ways, ranging from small to large scale. A common example is a roof with gutters that connects to a storage vessel that is later collected and treated for usage. A huge advantage of this NBS is how simplistic it is, meaning it can be implemented almost anywhere without the need of a professional to set it up for smaller scale environments. Additionally, rainwater harvesting is hypothesized to be a great tool in adapting to climate change (Pandey 2003).
The main downside of rainwater harvesting however is the need for regular maintenance, as the storage vessels will need to be emptied before the next storm in order to function properly. This isn’t a major issue for smaller-scale harvesting however it will require a decent amount of effort for larger-scale harvesting. In addition to the environmental benefits caused from preventing a portion of storm runoff, rainwater harvesting can be used for municipal usage as well as educational purposes. Overall, this NBS is great in that it is simplistic, cheap, flexible, and effective for usage in a variety of settings.
Sustainable Agriculture
Black Earth Compost
Black Earth Compost, located in eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island, collects food scraps and processes them into nutrient-rich compost. By returning the compost back into the growth cycle of local gardens and farms, the company has created a circular system of zero waste. To increase their sustainability, they have created a system to purchase their compost from April to May in order to plot a resource and energy-efficient course through each neighborhood to drop off the compost (Black Earth Compost).
The compost encourages water retention which helps to reduce erosion and runoff as well as establish vegetation. It also improves downstream water quality by retaining pollutants such as herbicides and pesticides, and the nutrient-rich soil created by compost provides a healthy habitat for microorganisms. Composting food scraps prevents wasted food from going into the landfill where it will eventually release methane into the atmosphere. Going from this traditional linear system to a circular system is key to adapting to climate change. Additionally, compost aids in producing nutrient-dense foods that are filled with vitamins and minerals essential for a healthy life. Through their community-oriented service, Black Earth Compost is increasing access to healthier foods which is incredibly beneficial to the health of local residents.
Composting is an effective nature-based solution as it is essential in minimizing food waste that would otherwise end up in landfills and release huge amounts of methane. It is also important because it provides multiple environmental benefits while also promoting a healthy lifestyle for the community.
Urban Spaces
Urban Gardens
Urban gardens are specially designed to survive the challenging and space-deficient conditions typically found in urban environments, making them valuable in space conservation. By increasing vegetation cover, urban gardens help limit rising temperatures and turn a previously urban area into a habitat for small wildlife. With enough space, gardens can also be used for urban agriculture which produces fresh food for the surrounding community and helps improve food security. They can also increase the surrounding air quality.
One example of an urban garden with a more artistic focus is the Everett Earthworks Sculptural Garden which was created by artist Carolyn Lewenberg. The center of the sculpture is “a visual representation of what happens when a drop of water hits the surface of water, and the paths and garden beds of the piece represent the rippling of the water that flows outwards in concentric circles” (Un, 2020). Everett high school students created sculptural mural panels for the garden shed, and the hope for the piece was to create community-engaging art and promote innovative thinking.
The main concern with urban gardens is the need for space in an already crowded area. However, these gardens are space efficient and can be placed almost anywhere. For example, the Everett garden was installed on under-utilized public land which meant the garden was an addition, not a disturbance, to the community. In general, urban gardens are an efficient option for implementing nature-based solutions into urban areas. They provide environmental, economical, and recreational benefits and can be easily introduced on both an individual and community level.
Sustainable Forestry
Riparian Forest Buffer
Massachusetts is vulnerable to coastal and inland flooding, heat waves, and extreme storm events. A riparian forest buffer is a nature-based solution to combat these events. This agroforestry is typically located near a stream or river and has been implemented across the United States, including in Massachusetts at the Merrimack River Watershed. Its basic function is to mitigate the effects of land use on a neighboring body of water, but it also offers additional benefits.
Before implementation, a specialized design plan must be created based on the specific goals and conditions of the land. The area closest to the body of water should be developed with native shrubs and trees to stabilize the bank and prevent erosion. The first zone should shade the stream, moderate water temperatures, filter material, and reduce floodwater velocity. The second zone should provide infiltration and store nonpoint source pollutants. The farthest zone should be developed with crops and grazing lands, allowing native grasses and forbs to grow. The last zone should filter sediments and uptake nutrients and chemicals.
This agroforestry benefits the surrounding ecosystem by protecting water quality, improving aquatic habitat, reducing runoff, and providing a diverse source of food and shelter for various species. The trees grown by the bank of the water also create a buffer against flooding and climate change-related changes in weather conditions. However, maintaining a riparian forest buffer can be challenging and intense in heavily developed areas. Landowners must assess the stream bed and bank, consider the type of vegetation naturally growing near the bank, and determine the width of their buffer.
