References

Original Reference: Palmer, M.A., Filoso, S. & Fanelli, R.M. (2014). From ecosystems to ecosystem services: Stream restoration as ecological engineering. Ecological Engineering, 65: 62-70.

Brief Summary: Focuses on water resource management through ecological engineering. Implications: Sustainable water management is critical for rural-urban resilience. Recommendations: Implement water resource management strategies in RAPs, using ecological engineering to address water scarcity and quality issues in rural areas.

URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2013.07.059

Original Reference: Masi, F. et al. (2017). Constructed wetlands for combined sewer overflow treatment: Ecosystem services at Gorla Maggiore, Italy. Ecological Engineering, 98: 427-438.

Brief Summary: Discusses ecological engineering solutions for sustainable land management. PoliRuralPlus can integrate ecological engineering strategies to enhance land use and environmental sustainability in rural-urban areas.

URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2016.11.028

Original Reference: Balzan, M.V. (2017). Ecology for the city: analysing the role of green infrastructure in creating liveable cities. Valletta 2018 European Culture of Capital Conference: Living Cities, Liveable Spaces: Placemaking & Identity

Brief Summary: Focuses on sustainable urban planning and green infrastructure integration. Recommendation: PoliRuralPlus pilots should promote eco-city initiatives and green spaces in rural-urban action plans, encouraging a holistic environmental approach to urbanization that balances development with ecological preservation.

URL: Ecology for the City

Original Reference: ECONADAPT (2015). The Costs and Benefits of Adaptation: Results from the ECONADAPT Project. P.Watkiss (Ed.)

Brief Summary: This report evaluates the economic costs and benefits of climate adaptation policies. RAPs should prioritize cost-effective adaptation measures to mitigate climate risks in rural-urban areas. PoliRuralPlus pilots can benefit from integrating these cost-benefit analyses to improve decision-making on adaptation investments.

URL: https://econadapt.eu/sites/default/files/docs/Econadapt-policy-report-on-costs-and-benefits-of-adaptaiton-july-draft-2015.pdf

Original Reference: Whiteoak, K. & Saigar, J. (2019). Estimating the economic benefits of Urban Heat Island mitigation-Economic Analysis. Melbourne, Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities.

Brief Summary: Analyzes the economic benefits of mitigating urban heat islands through green infrastructure. Recommendations: RAPs should include urban-rural collaboration to expand green infrastructure in cities, which can also enhance rural economies by providing resources and ecosystem services.

URL: https://watersensitivecities.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Economic-Benefits-of-UHI-mitigation.pdf

Original Reference: Mielke, B. (2008). The costs and benefits of landscape quality enhancements on brownfield sites. In: CSI, 2008. Creating a Setting for Investment Project Report: 38-42. SYFP, Sheffield.

Brief Summary: Discusses investment strategies that can bridge the rural-urban divide. PoliRuralPlus can leverage such strategies to attract investments to rural areas, enhancing regional economic integration.

URL: https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/creating-a-setting-for-investment.pdf

Original Reference: Zhou, Q. (2014). A Review of sustainable urban drainage systems considering the climate change and urbanization impacts. Water, 6: 976-992.

Brief Summary: This paper examines how urbanization affects rural economies, particularly through shifts in labor markets and resource allocation. Recommendations for PoliRuralPlus include leveraging urbanization trends to improve rural economies via better labor market policies and infrastructure investments that bridge urban-rural divides.

URL: https://doi.org/10.3390/w6040976

Original Reference: Calatrava, J. et al. (2018). Economic water-related risk damage estimation. NAIAD Project Deliverable 4.3

Brief Summary: This report from the NAIAD project provides economic assessments of water-related risks, which are essential for integrated rural-urban planning. It advocates for using nature-based solutions to mitigate risks and reduce costs. Implications: PoliRuralPlus pilots can integrate water management strategies into regional action plans to mitigate risks such as flooding or droughts. Recommendations: Incorporate water risk mitigation and NBS into the regional action plans, particularly in rural areas vulnerable to extreme weather.

URL: Economic Water-related Risk Damage Estimation

Original Reference: Balke, T. et al. (2011). Windows of opportunity: thresholds to mangrove seedling establishment on tidal flats. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 440: 1–9

Brief Summary: This article examines how climate change impacts ecosystems, emphasizing the importance of ecological health in regional development. Recommendation: PoliRuralPlus should integrate climate resilience into rural-urban linkages, focusing on green infrastructure to support long-term sustainability and adaptation.

URL: DOI: 10.3354/meps09364

Original Reference: Baro, F. et al. (2015). Mismatches between ecosystem services supply and demand in urban areas: A quantitative assessment in five European cities. Ecological Indicators, 55: 146-158

Brief Summary: Focuses on the use of ecological indicators to monitor ecosystem services. Recommendation: Include ecosystem service monitoring in PoliRuralPlus regional action plans to ensure sustainable management of rural environments and enhance green infrastructure.

URL: DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2015.03.013

Original Reference: Liquete, C. et al. (2016). Integrated valuation of a nature-based solution for water pollution control. Highlighting hidden benefits. Ecosystem Services, 22: 392-401.

Brief Summary: Discusses how ecosystem services can be integrated into land-use planning. PoliRuralPlus should prioritize ecosystem services in regional action plans to support sustainable rural-urban landscapes.

URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoser.2016.09.011

Original Reference: Steyaert, P. & Ollivier, G. (2007). The European Water Framework Directive: how ecological assumptions frame technical and social change. Ecology and Society, 12(1): 25.

Brief Summary: Investigates how ecosystem services provided by rural areas support urban sustainability. Implications: Rural ecosystems play a crucial role in urban sustainability. Recommendations: RAPs should promote the preservation of rural ecosystems and integrate them into urban planning processes to ensure long-term regional sustainability.

URL: https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-02057-120125

Original Reference: Schwarz, N. et al. (2017). Understanding biodiversity-ecosystem service relationships in urban areas: A comprehensive literature review. Ecosystem Services, 27: 161-171.

Brief Summary: Discusses the importance of ecosystem services in maintaining ecological balance. Implications: Protecting ecosystem services is key to sustainable development in rural areas. Recommendations: Incorporate ecosystem services as a foundation for RAPs, ensuring long-term ecological and economic benefits【31†source】【36†source】.

URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoser.2017.08.014

Original Reference: Hanley, N. & Black, A.R. (2006). Cost-benefit analysis and the Water Framework Directive in Scotland. International Environmental Assessment and Management 2(2): 156-165.

Brief Summary: Explores the importance of ecosystem services in rural-urban regions. PoliRuralPlus RAPs should focus on enhancing ecosystem services to support both rural and urban development, particularly in environmental and agricultural planning.

URL: https://doi.org/10.1890/1051-0761(2006)01602592.0.CO;2

Original Reference: Grote, R. et al. (2016). Functional traits of urban trees in relation to their air pollution mitigation potential: A holistic discussion. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 14: 543-550.

Brief Summary: Explores the role of ecosystem services in building climate resilience. Recommendations for PoliRuralPlus include incorporating ecosystem services in RAPs to enhance rural-urban climate resilience and environmental sustainability.

URL: https://doi.org/10.1002/fee.1426

Original Reference: Nesshover, C. et al. (2017). The science, policy and practice of nature-based solutions: An interdisciplinary perspective. Science of the Total Environment, 579: 1215-1227.

Brief Summary: Examines how ecosystem services can be integrated into urban planning to enhance resilience. PoliRuralPlus should use this framework to improve resource efficiency and environmental sustainability in regional planning.

URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.11.106

Original Reference: Martin-Ortega, J. et al. (2014). Valuing water quality improvements from peatland restoration: Evidence and challenges. Ecosystem Services, 9: 34-43.

Brief Summary: Focuses on how ecosystem services can enhance both rural and urban development. PoliRuralPlus should integrate ecosystem services into RAPs to promote environmental and economic resilience.

URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoser.2014.04.007

Original Reference: Kabisch, N. et al. (2016b). Nature-based solutions to climate change mitigation and adaptation in urban areas: perspectives on indicators, knowledge gaps, barriers, and opportunities for action. Ecology and Society 21(2): 39.

Brief Summary: Discusses the role of ecosystem services in managing rural-urban transitions. Implications: Ecosystem services, such as clean air and water, are essential for balancing urban growth with rural sustainability. Recommendations: RAPs should emphasize the protection and enhancement of ecosystem services as part of sustainable rural-urban planning, integrating natural capital into both rural and urban development strategies.

URL: https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-08373-210239

Original Reference: Baro, F. et al. (2014). Contribution of ecosystem services to air quality and climate change mitigation policies: the case of urban forests in Barcelona, Spain. AMBIO, 43: 466-479

Brief Summary: Studies ecosystem services' role in supporting sustainable development in both urban and rural settings. Recommendation: Incorporate ecosystem service preservation and enhancement into rural-urban planning strategies, emphasizing natural resource management and green infrastructure in PoliRuralPlus action plans.

URL: DOI: 10.1007/s13280-014-0507-x

Original Reference: Maes, J. et al. (2018b), Ecosystem services are inclusive and deliver multiple values. A comment on the concept of nature's contribution to people. One Ecosystem, 3: e24720.

Brief Summary: This article discusses how ecosystem services provide a wide range of benefits to society, going beyond traditional economic framing. For PoliRuralPlus, integrating a holistic approach to ecosystem services in RAPs can foster sustainable rural-urban development, enhancing both social and environmental resilience​(

URL: https://doi.org/10.3897/oneeco.3.e24720