Research project FLOW-BIOS

Flood risks will become a serious problem across the globe. In particular, climate change will influence the frequency and magnitude of such events, causing greater damage, as current adaptation strategies do not provide an adequate response to future challenges. Furthermore, European strategies and directives call for a re-start of flood risk management, adopting a more holistic perspective on how to manage rivers and landscapes. In this context, Nature-based Solutions (NbS) offer a promising pathway to integrate diverse societal and political needs while supporting future developments such as biodiversity restoration, food security, and carbon storage, alongside reducing the impacts of future flood events. However, NbS require land—both publicly and privately owned—which raises significant justice implications. As a result, conflicts often arise in the implementation process, further exacerbated by the lack of adequate governance structures. The proposed project FLOW-BIOS investigates how Biosphere Reserves can support NbS implementation through their regional networks with public authorities and landowners, as well as their strong expertise in nature protection. Moreover, Biosphere Reserves act as role models for developing innovative strategies to manage conflicts and inequalities. By adopting a transdisciplinary approach, FLOW-BIOS will develop actionable strategies for Biosphere Reserves to advance NbS implementation, contributing to both local resilience and broader European policy goals.

The research project “FLOW-BIOS: Land use and nature-based solutions for flood risk management in biosphere reserves” (05/2026–04/2028) is funded within the framework of the MAB Call 2025 of the ESS Programme at the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW) and with the support of the Forum Landscape, Alps, Parks of SCNAT.