Reproducible Framework Standardized Methods to Score Resilience-Focused Outcomes of Nature-Based Solutions

Project Information

This project develops a standardized, repeatable framework for assessing the broad, resilience-focused benefits of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS). By integrating ecological, economic, and community metrics—including the new Biodiversity Security Index (BSI)—the framework enables practitioners to evaluate alternatives more holistically. A pilot in the Great Lakes Region will test the methodology, leading to tools and publications that support broader adoption of NBS in USACE planning and policy.

Circular graphic titled "Decision-Making Framework" with "Collaboration & Learning (Decision-makers, scientists, and stakeholders)" in the center, arrows show a clockwise motion along the circle with a left down arrow and a right up arrow curving in like the lines of baseball stitching. On the outside of the circle, from the top are "Define the issue", "Establish decision criteria", "Access information, assess risk and available decision support", "Enhance understanding", "Integrate, evaluate, assess tradeoffs, and decide", "Implement", "Monitor", and "Analyze and re-evaluate decision".

Bar chart depicting Cost & Benefit Type and trend lines without marsh and with marsh. Notable that damage is incurred without march and co-benefits and damage avoided are noted with marsh.

Problem

Traditional USACE evaluation methods focus on monetizable outcomes, often overlooking the broader community and ecosystem benefits that NBS can provide. Without standardized metrics, these solutions are undervalued in comparison to traditional infrastructure.

This research addresses Statement of Need NNBF_Benefits_SON_ERARG_15_MAR_2023 and supports the ASA(CW)'s directive to account for total benefits—including qualitative, ecological, and social impacts—when evaluating project alternatives. It aims to fill a critical gap in plan formulation guidance by enabling direct comparison of green, gray, and hybrid infrastructure solutions.

Solution

Research Approach

Review existing methodologies and frameworks for assessing NBS benefits
Develop a multi-criteria evaluation framework, integrating Benefit-Relevant Indicators (BRIs) and the Biodiversity Security Index (BSI)
Apply and validate the framework in Great Lakes case studies using GIS and R markdown tools for reproducibility
Create tools and technical guidance for planners and economists
Disseminate the approach through workshops, symposia, and a publicly available methods paper

Expected Outcomes

A reproducible framework to score ecological and community benefits of NBS
New tools for planners, including GIS-based scoring maps and an R markdown reporting package
Integration of community and resilience indicators into feasibility-level alternatives analysis
Technical reports and training resources to enable enterprise-wide adoption
Stronger justification for innovative, nature-based infrastructure alternatives

Impact

This project empowers USACE practitioners to account for comprehensive, resilience-focused benefits of NBS in planning studies. By enabling comparison of alternatives using both quantitative and qualitative metrics, it advances sustainable development strategies, improves decision-making, and supports broader investment in NBS as viable infrastructure solutions.

Partnerships & Collaboration

This work is a collaborative effort across ERDC, the Great Lakes USACE districts (Buffalo, Detroit, Chicago), and academic partners. It includes input from planners, economists, environmental scientists, and modelers. Ongoing engagement with the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, IAGLR, and institutions like Cornell University ensures that the framework reflects real-world conditions and can be adopted nationally.

Products

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Point of Contact

Brett Hayhurst

Research Physical Scientist, Environmental Laboratory, ERDC

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Engineering With Nature® is the intentional alignment of natural and engineering processes to efficiently and effectively deliver economic, ecological, and social benefits through collaboration.