Ecosystem-based adaptation
Ecosystem-based adaptation is the use of biodiversity and ecosystem services as part of an overall strategy to help people adapt to the adverse effects of climate change. It involves sustainably managing, conserving, or restoring ecosystems in ways that reduce climate vulnerability while supporting ecological integrity and human well-being.
In simple terms
This approach connects climate adaptation with ecosystem management. Within nature-based solutions, its defining purpose is adaptation for people. Examples include restoring mangroves where they can reduce coastal exposure, protecting upstream forests that regulate water, or managing urban vegetation to reduce heat. A project qualifies because it addresses an identified climate risk for people through ecosystem functions, not simply because it plants vegetation. Effective design considers future climate conditions, ecological limits, land and resource rights, participation, trade-offs, and how the intervention complements engineering, social, or institutional measures.
Why it matters
Healthy ecosystems can provide adaptable, multi-benefit responses to climate hazards while supporting biodiversity and livelihoods. However, benefits are location-specific and can be undermined by poor species choice, insecure tenure, weak maintenance, or climate thresholds. Monitoring should therefore cover adaptation outcomes for people, ecosystem condition, distributional effects, and potential harms rather than counting planted area alone.
Example
A coastal community maps flood exposure and restores native mangrove habitat where hydrology allows. The programme protects migration space, involves local rights-holders, and tracks wave attenuation, household exposure, seedling survival, fisheries effects, and displaced risk. Evacuation planning and resilient infrastructure remain part of the wider adaptation strategy.
How it differs
Nature-based solutions
Nature-based solutions address a broad range of societal challenges through ecosystem actions; ecosystem-based adaptation is the subset specifically designed to help people adapt to climate-change impacts.