Nature-based Solutions enhance climate resilience in Mafra, Portugal

Key Learnings

• Nature-based Solutions: Implementing Nature-based Solutions can lead to effective, long-term improvements and restoration of river ecosystems. These approaches also provide additional benefits, including improved air quality and a better quality of life for communities in the surrounding area.
• Biodiversity conservation: To support the restoration of the river ecosystem, the solutions focus on enhancing biodiversity by reestablishing native riparian buffers and improving biophysical conditions that sustain indigenous fauna.
• Citizen engagement: Community engagement activities and promoting public participation are important to increase the level of acceptance of the project and encourage the adoption of best practices for river ecosystem conservation.

Summary

The Municipality of Mafra established two Rivers+ Living Laboratories along the Lizandro River – one in the rural area of Carvoeira and another in the urban area of Venda do Pinheiro. 

As part of the Strategic Plan for the Rehabilitation of Watercourses of Mafra (PERLA Mafra), these sites reconnect society with nature by promoting direct engagement with aquatic ecosystems and highlighting the environmental, social, and cultural value of water. Each site features native riparian plant species and applies Nature-based Solutions to stabilise slopes and improve river hydrodynamics. 

Open to the entire community, the Living Laboratories serve as demonstration sites for best practices in river rehabilitation and as platforms for training and environmental education. They enhance knowledge of river systems and biodiversity while inspiring the replication of these solutions in similar contexts, contributing to the long-term restoration of rivers and streams.