Exploring the role of nature-based solutions for climate adaptation in the agriculture sector

Abstract

Climate change impacts are more severe and frequent in countries vulnerable to climate. Evidence indicates that Nature-based solutions (NbS) are widely used as cost-effective and sustainable adaptation strategies; however, their effectiveness varies across ecological, institutional, and socio-economic contexts. Our understanding of NbS for agricultural climate adaptation remains limited. This study systematically reviews the role of NbS in agricultural adaptation using PRISMA guidelines. Using keywords such as “NbS,” “climate adaptation,” and “agriculture,” along with their synonyms, a total of 2696 related papers in Scopus were identified. After applying relevant filters, 1740 articles were selected. During screening, 301 studies were relevant to the objectives, and after full review, 21 articles were finalized for inclusion. The methodology across these studies is diverse, including empirical methods, choice experiments, spatial modelling, policy reviews, and household surveys. The study uses VOSviewer software for network analysis, revealing several interconnected factors related to NbS for agricultural adaptation. In the word cloud analysis, key terms such as “farmer,” “agriculture,” and “practices” emerge as important. This research finds that approaches such as agroforestry, Eco-based adaptation, natural flood management, and climate-resilient crops are most frequently examined. The evidence shows that NbS are particularly effective for small farmers; therefore, they should be prioritized. However, NbS face governance and financing challenges. To address these issues, public–private partnerships involving NGOs, NPOs, and NbS should be developed and implemented in consultation with stakeholders. Finally, the review highlights several research gaps and limitations.