Research overview
Solutionscapes aims to develop water and climate smart agricultural solutions in complex working landscapes using big data, remote sensing, modelling and stakeholder engagement
Solutionscapes is dedicated to reimagining the very fabric of our landscapes, integrating nature-based climate solutions with cutting-edge technologies to create a harmonious balance between food production, energy systems, and water resource. We will focus on three groups of climate and water-smart agricultural solutions, and develop models and scenarios that can help prioritize the spatial targeting of these solutions across Canada
Wetlands sequester carbon and are a key nature-based climate solution. They also filter pollutants, provide habitat, and protect communities from flooding. Despite these benefits, wetlands are being lost at alarming rates to agriculture and urbanization. We ask questions like “how can we protect our remaining wetlands and incentivize wetland restoration? Which locations in the landscape offer the greatest benefits to restoration?”
Anaerobic digestion is the process of converting organic waste into usable products, such as renewable natural gas and fertilizers. Such technologies can provide a revenue opportunity, while reducing GHG emissions and nutrient pollution. In Solutionscapes, we ask questions like: “How can we turn the waste problem into a climate and water solution? Can we identify optimal locations of biodigesters in the landscape that can access multiple waste sources, and thus be economically viable while protecting our environment?
Sustainable or regenerative farming includes a range of cropping practices like cover crops, diversified crop rotations, reduced tillage and nutrient management. These practices can improve agricultural productivity, while sequestering carbon, improving soil health and reducing nutrient pollution. In Solutionscapes we ask questions like “How do the co-benefits and tradeoffs of various practices vary with soil type, climate and season? Can we identify spatially varying practices that will unlock benefits for water and climate while sustaining economic profits?”
Integration and decision support
These solution-specific scenarios will then be used to develop SOLUTIONSCAPES, where we explicitly consider cross-scenario interactions via modeling approaches and iterative engagement with stakeholders. Models and data will be integrated to provide a decision support tool for Bioenergy and Nature-based Climate Solutions (BENCS).
Our domain is the Great Lakes Basin and the Canadian Prairies
Our approach
Identifying the opportunities
Develop datasets and models related to each of the three solutions. For example, we will create maps of current and historical wetlands, and models that will quantify what ecosystem services were lost when we drained wetlands.
Imagining the possibilities
Model spatially explicit restoration scenarios based on optimization of economic and environmental costs and benefits of solutions. Maps of wetland restoration scenarios and potential bio-digester locations will be developed.
Designing for the future
Develop “solutionscapes” — portfolios of restoration scenarios that explicitly consider cross-scenario interactions via iterative consultation with stakeholders at local exemplar sites.