Author(s): Cristiane Fragata Dos Santos; Manuel Patarroyo Gonzalez; Ioana Popescu; Andreja Jonoski
Linked Author(s): Ioana Popescu
Keywords: Climate adaptation; Nature-based solutions; Floods; Droughts
Abstract: There has been an increase in both flood and drought events across Europe, calling for integrated climate adaptation strategies. Nature-based Solutions (NbS) offer promising opportunities for building resilience to hydrological extremes, but their performance depends on careful design and consideration of local landscape characteristics. This study evaluates the performance of infiltration ponds, wetlands and a combined strategy for flood and drought mitigation in the Handzamevaart catchment, Belgium, using a MIKE SHE model. Values of key NbS design parameters were systematically varied to assess their impacts on flood peak attenuation and average baseflow conditions. Preliminary results show that wetlands with a geomembrane provide the highest flood peak reduction, while infiltration ponds offer more balanced benefits for both floods and droughts. Hydrological outputs will be translated into stakeholder-driven indicators, for example, using simulated depth to groundwater as a proxy for field accessibility and average water content in the rootzone as a proxy for crop stress. The combined use of hydrological and stakeholder-driven indicators enables a more comprehensive NbS assessment and aims to support climate-adaptation decisions that balance hydrological performance with practical needs in agricultural catchments. Research is supported by the Horizon Europe research and innovation programme: the “FUTURAL project” (Grant No. 101083958).
Year: 2026