Based on a media release of NaturaConnect and Sapienza University of Rome
An international research team including researchers from the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) is pioneering an approach to European conservation, integrating biodiversity as a solution to environmental challenges. It explores three value perspectives – Nature for Nature, Nature for Society, and Nature as Culture – to shape positive future scenarios. The first set of storylines on the future of nature conservation in Europe has been developed and published in the journal Environmental Management.
The storylines explore how nature might be protected and restored, considering EU Biodiversity Strategy goals and potential socio-ecological development pathways, and help to build models of positive scenarios for nature, which can be crucial in steering policy decisions aimed at restoring nature. The study uses a heuristic approach called the Nature Future Framework (NFF) to develop positive scenarios focused on the connection between nature and people. In this context, biodiversity is a key element in addressing environmental challenges across different spatial and temporal scales, explicitly considering a range of values for nature, that the NFF describes.
The Nature Future Framework encompasses three value perspectives:
- Nature for Nature (NfN)
- Nature for Society (NfS),
- and Nature as Culture (NaC),
each representing different preferences for nature.
A team of researchers developed this first set of European positive narratives for nature conservation through a consultation with experts in the field. The team analysed differences and similarities across the three NFF perspectives, focusing on six topics:
- Nature Protection and Restoration,
- Forest Ecosystems,
- Freshwater Ecosystems,
- Urban Systems,
- Agriculture,
- Energy.
The results consist of three narratives that emphasise the intrinsic value of nature (NfN), the maximisation of instrumental values and services (NfS), and the relational values between nature and people (NaC). While contrasting perspectives and priorities were highlighted, the study also presents solutions that can be beneficial for both biodiversity conservation and the instrumental and cultural benefits that nature offers to people (NCP – Nature’s Contributions to People). Across the narratives, special attention was paid to the topic of Nature Protection and Restoration. As emerged in NfN, which focuses on strict nature conservation, “how much land is set aside exclusively for nature conservation was the key aspect for differentiating the three NFF perspectives”, explains Alessandra D’Alessio from Sapienza University, one of the lead authors of the manuscript. Additionally, “depending on the desired Nature Future, the efforts to restore ecosystems may be aimed to nature protection, increased supply of utilitarian NCP, or preservation of nature cultural values”, clarifies Claudia Fornarini from Sapienza University, the other lead author of the research.
A revision of Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) scenarios
The development of these narratives represents a step towards revising the widely used set of Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) scenarios, with nature playing a central role alongside current socioeconomic considerations. “By exploring the relationships between land use and nature conservation, our scenarios provide explicit support to decision-makers in achieving the global biodiversity strategy and the EU conservation goals for 2030” – remarks Carlo Rondinini, senior author of the study and Professor of Zoology at Sapienza University.
“Conserving nature in Europe demands balancing diverse socio-economic interests and reconciling contrasting visions on which elements of nature should be prioritised”, says Néstor Fernández from iDiv and Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, co-author of the study. “Our new publication makes a significant contribution by presenting a set of narratives focused on expanding protected areas and enhancing ecological connectivity, providing valuable insights for scientists and policymakers alike to explore these options further.”
The new narratives are meant to be used by scientists and practitioners to align sector specific or location-specific land-use and biodiversity scenarios, visioning studies and sectorial strategies, to systematically design EU-wide narrative of positive change. This alignment will allow for a broader exploration of transformative changes in the use, conservation and restoration of natural resources, and will help illustrate how diverse opportunity spaces can shape sustainable futures. By presenting these narratives, we aim to open discussions on anticipatory governance and encourage a more inclusive and pluralistic approach to fully realise the goals of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030.
The study was coordinated by the Global Mammal Assessment lab at Sapienza University of Rome, Italy, as part of a large international research and innovation project, NaturaConnect, which aims to support the planning and implementation of EU targets for biodiversity conservation and restoration.
Original publication
(Researchers with iDiv affiliation bolded)
D’Alessio, A., Fornarini, C., Fernandez, N., Namasivayam, A.S., Visconti, P., Dertien, J., Hällfors, M., Jung, M., Moreira, F., O’Connor, L., Osti, M., Quintero-Uribe, L.C., Marei Viti, M., Lauta, A., Pereira, H.M., Verburg, P.H., Rondinini, C. (2025). Narratives for Positive Nature Futures in Europe. Environmental Management. DOI: 10.1007/s00267-025-02123-3
Contact
Dr Néstor Fernández
Biodiversity Conservation
German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv)
Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg
Phone: +49 341 9733229
Email: nestor.fernandez@idiv.de
Kati Kietzmann
Media and Communications
German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig
Phone: +49 341 97 39222
Email: kati.kietzmann@idiv.de