Expected increased presence and recovery of wild species

The financial capital of Sri Lanka, Colombo, is the fastest-growing city in Sri Lanka, and as such, it is constantly changing. Most expansions in urban areas are taking place without proper planning, which can cause damage to existing pockets of forests, landscapes and green areas in and around the city (1). The environmental impacts of this rapid urbanisation include increased pollution, increased heat due to the expansion of roads/pavements, tall structures that block out light and wind and reduced biodiversity in fauna and flora (1).
To face these challenges, the Federation of Environmental Organisations (FEO) proposed a city-wide Tree Planting Campaign to create an Urban Forest Strategy in public and private lands in the greater Colombo area (1). The plan is to kick-start the program at the Borella Cemetery as it has a large land area available for planting, specifically 178062 sq meters (3). The project started to be implemented in July 2020 with the seasonal rains (1). This project aims to grow urban trees to help mitigate some of the negative impacts of unplanned and rapid urbanisation, thus making the city more resilient to these changes (1).
The trees that will be planted will be mostly native species and also exotic plants will be selected based on specific requirements (1, 3). It is also planned to have flowering plants and shrubs to encourage butterflies, bees and birds to interspace the trees (1). The new parking space near the Borella Cemetery will also be planted with deep root shading trees interspaced with flowering plants (1).
The project aimed to include a large number of stakeholders including the government, the private sector and the residents of Colombo (1). And they have also reached schools in Colombo and hope to involve environmental associations to further the cause (3).

The Mediterranean climate in Lisbon, already characterised by low precipitation, has been further exacerbated by climate change. The city faces challenges related to biodiversity loss, urban loneliness, and climate anxiety (1). To address these issues, Lisbon's urban development plans have prioritised the re-naturalisation of urban spaces and the integration of ecological networks. Urban nature is now a central component of the city's Master Plan (2012) and other strategic agendas (1).
It is being developed by the LISGREEN project, which aims to enhance ecological connectivity and mitigate the effects of urban heat islands in Lisbon. By establishing nature-based solutions, it aims to restore forests within the city (1, 2, 3). This project encompasses different strategies, such as the RENATURA pilot project. It is a collaboration with the NGO URBEM and involves active public participation in tree planting and forest maintenance. This initiative aims to educate the community about nature, promote well-being, and mitigate extreme climate events (1), through the creation of urban forests.
The main strategy is to create fast forests using the Miyawaki method, which involves dense planting of native trees, removal of invasive plants, and intensive initial care. This approach accelerates the growth of natural forests within a short period, using native species and reducing the need for watering (1)
The first fast forest was developed in Parque Casal Vistoso within Bela Vista Park, within the Eastern Green Corridor of Lisbon. The park is being underutilised because of the lack of shade (1). Thus, this initiative encouraged volunteers to participate in tree planting and forest maintenance activities (3). The NbS intervention began with a 300m² experimental plot near the Vale da Montanha pedestrian bridge and has since expanded to a new 1,500m² plot on the opposite side of the bridge (2). Over 500 volunteers joined the effort, planting more than 3,800 trees (1)

The Waliwa project, launched in 2017 by the municipality of Sainte-Luce, is a collaborative effort dedicated to restoring marine biodiversity, enhancing the ecological balance of the bay area, revitalizing the local ecosystem and supporting sustainable economic activities. By focusing on marine biodiversity conservation, Waliwa addresses several critical environmental challenges. The project helps mitigate coastline erosion, support the blue economy through artisanal fishing and tourism, and foster an environmentally friendly culture among the local community.
So far, the Waliwa project has implemented three initiatives: it restored the Gros Raisin backshore to address erosion and provide nesting sea turtles with protected space (Ref 4). The project also intervened to restore the Pont Café pond, which was covered in Salvinia Molesta, preventing the intake of oxygen and hampering its role as a water filter, habitat for species and flood regulator .
Furthermore, the project has conducted studies and raised awareness about the challenges posed by wastewater management on the health of municipal water bodies. Through these efforts, Waliwa is working to create a more sustainable and resilient marine environment for future generations. (Ref 4, 5, 6; 12)

The Swedish Geotechnical Institute, a government agency, and the county administrative boards in Västra Götaland and Scania are running a project which tests methods to prevent erosion of coastal salt meadows. Erosion risks destroying unique ecosystems, and the aim is to develop cost-efficient, nature-based mitigation methods that can be replicated in other sites with similar problems. The project is part of an EU-funded Interreg North Sea project called MAinstreaming NAture BAsed Solutions through COASTal systems (MANABAS COAST), which involves other countries in the region [Ref. 1, 5]. Four different salt meadows are included in the Swedish part of the project. The sites are called pilot areas and are meant to test and showcase NBS to inform policy and develop methods that can be used in larger scales in the future. One of the sites is located at Glose in Kungälv municipality within the Gothenburg FUA [Ref. 2-4]. Here, the biodiversity of a salt meadow used for grazing and the adjacent coastal waters are threatened by erosion. According to a new management plan, NBS such as natural barriers will be implemented to break waves and halt erosion, preserving the ecosystems, improving water quality and ensuring the land continued use as a pasture for grazing cattle [Ref. 4].

This project aims to increase water retention capacity in the landscape around urban areas and promote biodiversity by restoring wetlands and natural streams in the forested areas on the island of Hisingen in northern Gothenburg. Many wetlands and streams in the area have been drained or otherwise affected by human activity, reducing biodiversity, increasing the risk of floods and droughts and causing greenhouse gas emissions from peatland. The goals of the project are to reduce the risk of floods downstream, reduce the effects of dry periods, increase groundwater infiltration and benefit species living in and around wetlands and streams in the forest [Ref. 1-3]. The Swedish Anglers Association has initiated the project in cooperation with the City of Gothenburg and the environmental engineering company Miljöteknik I Väst AB [Ref 1]. The project's first stage is a continuation of an earlier project to make an inventory of wetlands and their status [Ref 1, 2]. For the second part, 6,9 ha of wetlands and streams on land owned by the city were restored [Ref. 1, 3]. The project will lead to further efforts in wetland restoration around Gothenburg [Ref. 2, 4].

The riparian forest of Montgérald, through which the “Monsieur” River flows, is located within Fort-de-France and boasts rich biodiversity, featuring around 100 species of shrubs and trees and about 30 animal species, including 16 types of birds. It is one of the last remnants of the mesophilic forest type and the only example in a French peri-urban setting. This unique ecosystem is recognized as a Natural Area of Ecological, Faunal, and Floral Interest (ZNIEFF) and a Classified Wooded Area (EBC), underscoring the need for conservation efforts.
Covering nearly 21 hectares, this site offers ecological benefits like air quality improvement and temperature regulation, providing a "fresh air island" near the city center. However, it faces significant challenges, including flooding caused by climate change and heavy rains, which exacerbate erosion along the Monsieur River. The area is also threatened by invasive alien species, making conservation measures even more crucial.
Since 2015, the municipality of Fort-de-France, along with project partners, has been working on developing this natural space for both conservation and public engagement purposes. The most recent actions occurred in 2020, including riverbank restoration, clearing invasive species, and creating walking paths and educational installations. Additionally, the project features an awareness campaign targeting local schools. The ongoing initiative aims to merge biodiversity conservation with community recreational use and environmental education, ensuring the resilience of this vital ecosystem against the impacts of climate change. (Refs. 1, 2, 3)

Perch Creek is one of the many meanders that drain into Dog River (Ref 2), located just west of Mobile Bay (Ref 3). These areas include sensitive, tidally influenced marshes and flats where the brackish water of the Bay meets fresh waters (Ref 1). The Perch Creek Nature Trail & Preserve project aims to protect 96 acres on Perch Creek (Ref 3). It is part of efforts to revitalise Mobile’s coastal community and improve the water quality of the city's urban river (Ref 2), following the devastation of the BP oil disaster in 2010.
The project focuses on two main aspects: creating a low-impact recreational destination to spark economic redevelopment, and preserving Mobile’s coastal wetlands (Ref 1).
The conservation aspect involves wetland acquisition, marsh restoration, and invasive species management, improving water quality in both waterbodies (Ref 1). The area, rich in wildlife, requires habitat protection, including for migrating birds, foxes, alligators, manatees, and bald eagles (Ref 1). Brackish marshes on the property serve as nurseries for fish, while forested areas provide natural corridors for wildlife (Ref 3). The wetlands also play a role in flood control, acting as natural sponges to absorb rising tides and cleanse stormwater runoff before it reaches Mobile Bay (Ref 1). Additionally, they store stormwater, helping mitigate flooding as storms intensify (Ref 3).
The recreational aspect includes developing nature-based recreation, such as nature trails and kayak launches, as well as expanding public access to natural resources (Ref 3). In 2018, the Perch Creek section was added to the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail, with educational signage for kayakers (Ref 1).
This comprehensive project preserves vital habitats and flood-absorbing wetlands, while providing outdoor recreation opportunities and supporting the coastal community's recovery (Ref 2). It combines high-quality water resources, wildlife connectivity, scenic beauty, and outdoor recreation (Ref 3).

This initiative was launched by the local government of La Paz, focusing on afforestation of the Mallasa landfill, which was closed in 2004 (1-4 & 6-10). While some plantations were established in the area when the landfill was closed, the overall plan aimed to manage the waste until the site was sufficiently clean for new projects—a process expected to take at least a decade (6). By 2021, signs of biodiversity, including flora and fauna, had begun to return to the former landfill. In response, the municipality of La Paz implemented a project to plant 6,000 native tree species, along with other shrub species, to further enhance biodiversity regeneration and establish a second urban forest in the city (3 & 4 & 7 & 8).

The afforestation efforts took place between 2021 and 2022, coordinated through "forestry brigades" made up of diverse volunteer groups. These groups included members from public institutions, private company representatives, NGOs (both environmental and non-environmental), universities, religious organizations, and local citizen groups (8-10). A total of 12 hectares were reforested out of the 33-hectare area (1 & 7). Following this, the area was closed to the public and is expected to become a biodiversity sanctuary within ten years, with ongoing monitoring by the municipal environmental agency (7). Among the trees planted, some were chosen to attract birds with their fruit, others to support the pollination of hummingbirds and bees, while others were intended to enrich the soil with nutrients—all species being native to the region (3 & 7).

Additional goals of the initiative include raising awareness about climate change, fostering a sense of environmental stewardship through community engagement, and advancing the municipality's decarbonization plans (3 & 9). Some of the seedlings and saplings were purchased by the municipality at a cost of 6,160 euros, with private companies also contributing financial support to the initiative (1 & 7).

The Stora Amundö and Billdal archipelago nature reserve is in the southernmost part of the City of Gothenburg. The proximity to the city makes it a popular recreational destination, with about 73000 visitors each year. In 2018, the area was protected as a nature reserve to preserve its recreational, natural and historical values. The status as a nature reserve prohibits any exploitation and other harmful activities in the area. The area of the reserve is 1103 ha, of which 259 ha is land area and the rest is water [Ref. 1-3]. The management of the reserve includes promoting recreational and educational activities by creating new entrances, paths and signs, as well as holding guided tours. The management also includes restoring and improving terrestrial ecosystems such as grasslands through mowing and grazing and deciduous forests through selective clearing. A wetland has been restored to promote biodiversity further [Ref. 2, 4]. The reserve was created and is managed by the City of Gothenburg, the process of creating it involved consultation of stakeholders such as land owners, government agencies and NGO's [Ref. 1]. Some local landowners disagreed with the borders of the nature reserve having an impact on their land, leading to an appeal that was ultimately denied [Ref. 5, 6]

The South Hennepin Marsh habitat restoration project, located below the Grosse Ile Toll Bridge causeway, within the Detroit River's Trenton Channel near Grosse Ile, Michigan, aims to restore and protect one of the region's most critical wetland habitats. This emergent marsh, historically vital for fish and wildlife, has suffered significant degradation due to river currents, boat traffic, and winter ice flows. The project, identified as a priority in the 2002 Habitat Protection and Remediation report for the Detroit River, encompasses the restoration of over 1,000 linear feet of protective shoals and 20 acres of productive wetlands, home to various native plant species such as rushes and submergent macrophytes.

The primary goal of the project is to stabilize and enhance the marsh's habitat, improving conditions for fish, waterfowl, reptiles, amphibians, and other wildlife. Restoration activities include the placement of approximately 10,000 cubic yards of rock and soil to rebuild eroded shoals, installation of erosion matting, and re-establishment of native vegetation. Additional habitat features, including habitat logs, mudpuppy structures, and stone spawning beds, will provide crucial breeding and feeding areas for species such as walleye, northern pike, and lake whitefish.

The project also incorporates soft engineering solutions, such as fallen branched trees and strategically placed stones, to support pollinators, birds, and reptiles. Feasibility studies and design plans were completed by Environmental Consulting and Technology, with funding from NOAA, and construction was carried out by E.C. Korneffel Company beginning in 2021. The project reached completion in November 2022, successfully restoring the shoals and protecting the marsh from further degradation. These efforts have significantly enhanced habitat availability, ensuring the sustainability of the South Hennepin Marsh as a critical ecological site within the Detroit River system.
(Ref.1-4)