Monitoring and maintenance guidance

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Monitoring is an ongoing process that should begin during the operation and maintenance phase but has to continue for years or decades to assess performance. The monitoring of NBS performance is critical to ensuring that these solutions function as intended and provide the desired benefits, such as stormwater management, water quality improvement, and biodiversity
enhancement.

Effiecient monitoring depends on the objectives of NBS. When we know what the NBS is intended to do, it is easier to select and monitor key parameters, such as water retention, nutrient removal, and biodiversity levels. The monitoring data also support adaptive management, allowing cities to adjust maintenance or design practices based on actual performance. This ensures that NBS remain effective over time and can inform future planning efforts. On this site you can find the key NBS objectives together with suggested monitoring parameters and approaches.

Additional reading

City Blues. 2025. Innovative monitoring approaches for nature-based solutions – Interreg Baltic Sea Region

UNaLab. 2019. Performance and Impact Monitoring of Nature-Based Solutions.