This is blog #1 in our new series about Natural Infrastructure. Written by Maria Albuquerque.
You may have come across the phrase “natural infrastructure” (or a similar term), but what does it actually mean, and why is it important? In this first blog post of our new Natural Infrastructure series, we’ll introduce the concept and explain how it can benefit communities.
What Is Natural Infrastructure?
A quick online search may define infrastructure as “the basic physical and organizational structures and facilities needed for the operation of a society or enterprise.” Buildings, roads, water treatment plants, and other facilities are common examples—often referred to as grey infrastructure. However, these definitions may overlook that infrastructure extends beyond human-made structures.
Infrastructure is not only what humans have built to meet our needs, but also what nature has created to sustain life on Earth. Ecosystems naturally form their own types of infrastructure, providing high-quality water and air, habitats for fish and wildlife, and fertile soils—benefits that have enabled our society to exist and operate.
Natural infrastructure (NI) consists of natural landscapes and ecosystems that can be used to meet targeted infrastructure needs while delivering a variety of benefits to the environment, economy, and society. NI includes wetlands, forests, and riparian zones—often called “natural assets” because they supply ecosystem services such as clean water and air, heat regulation, water storage, fertile soils, and enhanced habitat and biodiversity. Nature also supplies food, medicine, energy, clean air, water, protection from natural hazards, and recreation, along with cultural and spiritual inspiration and the biodiversity that sustains life on our planet. By investing in natural infrastructure, we help ensure that nature can continue supporting us.
Working With Nature
Amid a fast-growing population and recurring extreme weather events such as droughts and floods, some municipalities, watershed organizations, and other nonprofits are investing in natural infrastructure to supplement grey infrastructure and bolster climate and land resilience. Through NI, ecosystems can be conserved and restored, preserving the essential services they provide. For example, the recent multi-year drought left many creeks and dugouts dry, impacting water for communities, livestock, agriculture, fish, and wildlife. A healthy ecosystem of intact natural infrastructure (e.g., wetlands and riparian areas) can regulate river flow, protect against floods, provide rural drainage, and improve water quality and quantity—even during droughts. These services enhance our watershed and Alberta’s resilience to extreme weather, while also supporting critical water infrastructure needs like water treatment, flood protection, and water supply. Planning and working with nature to meet infrastructure demands while caring for our environment is also described in other approaches, including nature-based solutions and green infrastructure.
NI’s Cousins: The Infrastructure Family
Natural infrastructure is seen as one type of Nature-Based Solution (NBS), which generally involves using nature to address a broad range of infrastructure and conservation needs. The International Union for Conservation of Nature defines NBS as “actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural and modified ecosystems in ways that address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, simultaneously benefiting people and nature.” While the term NBS often describes natural infrastructure, it also encompasses nature-focused measures outside infrastructure needs, such as enhancing wildlife and fish habitat.
Nature-based solutions can also include hybrid infrastructure and green infrastructure concepts, commonly used to describe projects in urban environments that blend natural and grey infrastructure. The image below shows some of the similarities and differences. Although these terms are often used interchangeably, “natural infrastructure” applies to urban, rural, recreational, wildland, park, and other settings.
Four types of infrastructure: natural, green, hybrid, and grey. All four benefit society, while green, hybrid, and natural infrastructure also benefit the environment. Graphic created by Maria Albuquerque.
Community Benefits
Natural infrastructure and nature-based solutions deliver a wide variety of ecosystem services—direct and indirect benefits that enhance our well-being and support life on Earth. In particular, these features can boost habitat and biodiversity, regulate temperatures, sequester carbon, expand recreational and cultural opportunities, and regulate hydrological processes.
Wetland with a beaver dam. This natural infrastructure acts like a sponge and holds water on the landscape—an important service in our semi-arid watershed! Photo by Maria Albuquerque.
In our semi-arid watershed, hydrological services are especially valuable. As water flows through forests, wetlands, and woody debris, this natural infrastructure helps filter out sediment and pollutants, reducing the costs associated with water treatment. By slowing the flow of water on the landscape, these features also encourage groundwater recharge and decrease the risk of flooding downstream.
Some of the water is stored in wetlands, lakes, and ponds—acting like a sponge to retain moisture during droughts, when the risk of wildfires is high and water supply is scarce. Healthy wetlands and riparian areas enhance drought resilience, protect community assets from extreme weather, and safeguard source water.
Natural infrastructure is a master multi-tasker. Beyond hydrological services, it provides cultural and recreational value—offering opportunities for foraging, fishing, canoeing, and birdwatching, among others. At the same time, it supports vital habitat for wildlife and fish, whose presence helps sustain ecosystem functions by dispersing seeds, boosting soil fertility, aiding pollination, and more.
Natural infrastructure like wetlands, riparian areas, forests, dead/fallen trees, rocks, and woody debris slow runoff, filter sediment and pollutants, and increase habitat complexity for wildlife and fish. Photo by Maria Albuquerque.
From enhancing water quantity and quality to improving habitat and biodiversity, natural infrastructure plays a critical role in climate resilience and adaptation while also extending the lifespan of grey infrastructure.
To Sum Up…
Natural infrastructure involves intentionally working with nature to maintain and enhance the assets that supply essential ecosystem services. Forests, wetlands, and riparian zones are all examples of NI. By conserving and restoring these ecosystems, we can address watershed challenges such as flooding, drought, fire, and water shortages, while also boosting habitat and biodiversity. Stay tuned for our next blog to learn more about the economic value of natural infrastructure—and how partnering with nature can be cost-effective.
This blog series is part of a project that is funded in part by a grant from the Watershed Resiliency and Restoration Program (Government of Alberta).
Banner photo by Maria Albuquerque.
