Regular monitoring of bio-indicators

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Description

Biological indicators are used to document and understand changes in Earth’s living systems, especially changes caused by the activities of an expanding human population. Because maintenance of the integrity of living systems is essential to sustain the ecological services human society depends on, the development and testing of a new generation of biological indicators has become an urgent challenge for modern ecologists.

Type of NBS

Better use of protected/natural ecosystems

Level

Monitoring

Approaches
  • 1 Ecosystem based management
  • 2 Infrastructure related approaches
  • 3 Natural resources management

Challenges


Key Performance Indicators
Recommended Indicators Units Class
17.1 Openness of participatory processes
17.1.1 Openness of participatory processes: proportion of citizens involved % Process focused
17.2 Sense of empowerment: perceived control and influence over decision-making Outcome-based indicators
17.3 Adoption of new forms of participatory governance: Public-private partnerships activated No. Outcome-based indicators
17.4 Policy learning for mainstreaming NBS: Number of new policies instituted No. Structural indicators
17.5 Trust in decision-making procedure and decision-makers Number (1-5) Outcome-based indicators

Additional Indicators Units Class
18.1 Community involvement in planning
18.1.1 Citizen involvement in co-creation/co-design of NBS No. Process focused
18.1.2 Stakeholder involvement in co-creation/co-design of NBS No. Process focused
18.2 Community involvement in implementation Number (0-5) Process focused
18.3 Involvement of citizens from traditionally under-represented groups Number (0-5) Process focused
18.4 Active engagement of citizens in decision-making % Process focused
18.5 Consciousness of citizenship Number (0-5) Outcome-based indicators
18.6 Number of governance innovations adopted Number (0-5) Structural indicators
18.7 Adoption of new forms of NBS (co-)financing Number (0-5) Outcome-based indicators
18.8 Development of a climate resilience strategy (extent) Number (0-7) Outcome-based indicators
18.9 Alignment of climate resilience strategy with UNISDR-defined elements Number (0-5) across 117 categories Outcome-based indicators
18.10 Adaptation of local plans and regulations to include NBS Number (0-5) Outcome-based indicators
18.11 Perceived ease of governance of NBS Number (0-5) Outcome-based indicators
18.12 Diversity of stakeholders involved % Process focused
18.13 Transparency of co-production Number (1-5) Process focused
18.14 Activation of public-private collaboration No. Outcome-based indicators
18.15 Reflexivity: identified learning outcomes No. Process focused
18.16 Facilitation skills for co-production Number (1-5) Process focused
18.17 Procedural fairness Number (1-5) Process focused
18.18 Strategic alignment Number (1-5) Process focused
18.19 Reflexivity: time for reflection No. Process focused
Sustainable Development Goals

Zero hunger. End hunger, achieve security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture


Target 2.3

By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment.

Indicator 2.3.1: Volume of production per labour unit by classes of farming/pastoral/forestry enterprise size

Target 2.4

By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters and that progressively improve land and soil quality

Indicator 2.4.1: Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture

Target 2.a

Increase investment, including through enhanced international cooperation, in rural infrastructure, agricultural research and extension services, technology development and plant and livestock gene banks in order to enhance agricultural productive capacity in developing countries, in particular least developed countries

Indicator 2.a.1: The agriculture orientation index for government expenditures

Clean water and sanitation. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all


Target 6.1

By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all

Indicator 6.1.1: Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services

Target 6.3

By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally

Indicator 6.3.2: Proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality

Target 6.4

By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity

Indicator 6.4.1: Change in water-use efficiency over time

Indicator 6.4.2: Level of water stress: freshwater withdrawal as a proportion of available freshwater resources

Target 6.5

By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate

Indicator 6.5.1: Degree of integrated water resources management implementation (0-100)

Indicator 6.5.2: Proportion of transboundary basin area with an operational arrangement for water cooperation

Target 6.6

By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes

Indicator 6.6.1: Change in the extent of water-related ecosystems over time

Target 6.a

By 2030, expand international cooperation and capacity-building support to developing countries in water- and sanitation-related activities and programmes, including water harvesting, desalination, water efficiency, wastewater treatment, recycling and reuse technologies

Indicator 6.a.1: Amount of water- and sanitation-related official development assistance that is part of a government-coordinated spending plan

Target 6.b

Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management

Indicator 6.b.1: Proportion of local administrative units with established and operational policies and procedures for participation of local communities in water and sanitation management

Responsible Consumption and Production. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns


Target 12.8

By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature

Indicator 12.8.1: Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development (including climate change education) are mainstreamed in (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education; and (d) student assessment

Climate Action. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts


Target 13.3

Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning

Indicator 13.3.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning into primary, secondary and tertiary curricula

Indicator 13.3.2: Number of countries that have communicated the strengthening of institutional, systemic and individual capacity-building to implement adaptation, mitigation and technology transfer, and development actions

Target 13.b

Promote mechanisms for raising capacity for effective climate change-related planning and management in least developed countries and small island developing States, including focusing on women, youth and local and marginalized communities 

Indicator 13.b.1: Number of least developed countries and small island developing States that are receiving specialized support, and amount of support, including finance, technology and capacity-building, for mechanisms for raising capacities for effective climate change-related planning and management, including focusing on women, youth and local and marginalized communities

Life below water. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, sea and marine resources for sustainable development


Target 14.c

Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in UNCLOS, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of The Future We Want

Indicator 14.c.1: Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nation Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources

Life on land. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainable manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss


Target 15.2

By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally

Indicator 15.2.1: Progress towards sustainable forest management

Target 15.3

By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world

Indicator 15.3.1: Proportion of land that is degraded over total land area

Target 15.5

Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species

Indicator 15.5.1: Red List Index

Target 15.9

By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies and accounts

Indicator 15.9.1: Progress towards national targets established in accordance with Aichi Biodiversity Target 2 of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020

Target 15.a

Mobilize and significantly increase financial resources from all sources to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity and ecosystems

Indicator 15.a.1: Official development assistance and public expenditure on conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystems

Target 15.b

Mobilize significant resources from all sources and at all levels to finance sustainable forest management and provide adequate incentives to developing countries to advance such management, including for conservation and reforestation

Indicator 15.b.1: Official development assistance and public expenditure on conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystems

Key Performance Indicators
Recommended Indicators Units Class
19.1 Bridging and bonding – quality of interactions within and between social groups
19.1.1 Bridging Outcome-based indicators
19.1.2 Bonding Outcome-based indicators
19.2 Inclusion of different social groups in NBS projects Number (0-5) Process focused
19.3 Trust within the community Outcome-based indicators
19.4 Solidarity among neighbours Outcome-based indicators
19.5 Tolerance and respect Outcome-based indicators
19.6 Availability and equitable distribution of blue-green space map Outcome-based indicators

Additional Indicators Units Class
20.1 Linking social capital Outcome-based indicators
20.2 Perceived social interaction Number (0-5) across 4 categories Outcome-based indicators
20.3 Quantity and quality of social interaction Frequency Outcome-based indicators
20.4 Perceived social support
20.4.1 Perception of socially supportive network Number (0-5) across 5 categories Outcome-based indicators
20.4.2 Perceived social support Number (0-4) Outcome-based indicators
20.5 Perceived social cohesion Number (0-4) Outcome-based indicators
20.6 Perceived ownership of space and sense of belonging to the community Number (0-5) across 2 categories Outcome-based indicators
20.7 Proportion of community who volunteer Number (0-5) Outcome-based indicators
20.8 Proportion of target group reached by an NBS project % Outcome-based indicators
20.9 Perceived personal safety Number (0-5) Outcome-based indicators
20.10 Perceived safety of neighbourhood Outcome-based indicators
20.11 Number of violent incidents, nuisances and crimes per 100 000 population Np. Per 100 000 Outcome-based indicators
20.12 Realised safety Outcome-based indicators
20.13 Area easily accessible for people with disabilities km2 Outcome-based indicators
20.14 Change in properties incomes % Outcome-based indicators
Sustainable Development Goals

Zero hunger. End hunger, achieve security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture


Target 2.3

By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment.

Indicator 2.3.1: Volume of production per labour unit by classes of farming/pastoral/forestry enterprise size

Target 2.4

By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters and that progressively improve land and soil quality

Indicator 2.4.1: Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture

Target 2.a

Increase investment, including through enhanced international cooperation, in rural infrastructure, agricultural research and extension services, technology development and plant and livestock gene banks in order to enhance agricultural productive capacity in developing countries, in particular least developed countries

Indicator 2.a.1: The agriculture orientation index for government expenditures

Clean water and sanitation. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all


Target 6.1

By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all

Indicator 6.1.1: Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services

Target 6.3

By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally

Indicator 6.3.2: Proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality

Target 6.4

By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity

Indicator 6.4.1: Change in water-use efficiency over time

Indicator 6.4.2: Level of water stress: freshwater withdrawal as a proportion of available freshwater resources

Target 6.5

By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate

Indicator 6.5.1: Degree of integrated water resources management implementation (0-100)

Indicator 6.5.2: Proportion of transboundary basin area with an operational arrangement for water cooperation

Target 6.6

By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes

Indicator 6.6.1: Change in the extent of water-related ecosystems over time

Target 6.a

By 2030, expand international cooperation and capacity-building support to developing countries in water- and sanitation-related activities and programmes, including water harvesting, desalination, water efficiency, wastewater treatment, recycling and reuse technologies

Indicator 6.a.1: Amount of water- and sanitation-related official development assistance that is part of a government-coordinated spending plan

Target 6.b

Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management

Indicator 6.b.1: Proportion of local administrative units with established and operational policies and procedures for participation of local communities in water and sanitation management

Responsible Consumption and Production. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns


Target 12.8

By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature

Indicator 12.8.1: Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development (including climate change education) are mainstreamed in (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education; and (d) student assessment

Climate Action. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts


Target 13.3

Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning

Indicator 13.3.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning into primary, secondary and tertiary curricula

Indicator 13.3.2: Number of countries that have communicated the strengthening of institutional, systemic and individual capacity-building to implement adaptation, mitigation and technology transfer, and development actions

Target 13.b

Promote mechanisms for raising capacity for effective climate change-related planning and management in least developed countries and small island developing States, including focusing on women, youth and local and marginalized communities 

Indicator 13.b.1: Number of least developed countries and small island developing States that are receiving specialized support, and amount of support, including finance, technology and capacity-building, for mechanisms for raising capacities for effective climate change-related planning and management, including focusing on women, youth and local and marginalized communities

Life below water. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, sea and marine resources for sustainable development


Target 14.c

Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in UNCLOS, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of The Future We Want

Indicator 14.c.1: Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nation Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources

Life on land. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainable manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss


Target 15.2

By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally

Indicator 15.2.1: Progress towards sustainable forest management

Target 15.3

By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world

Indicator 15.3.1: Proportion of land that is degraded over total land area

Target 15.5

Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species

Indicator 15.5.1: Red List Index

Target 15.9

By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies and accounts

Indicator 15.9.1: Progress towards national targets established in accordance with Aichi Biodiversity Target 2 of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020

Target 15.a

Mobilize and significantly increase financial resources from all sources to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity and ecosystems

Indicator 15.a.1: Official development assistance and public expenditure on conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystems

Target 15.b

Mobilize significant resources from all sources and at all levels to finance sustainable forest management and provide adequate incentives to developing countries to advance such management, including for conservation and reforestation

Indicator 15.b.1: Official development assistance and public expenditure on conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystems

Key Performance Indicators
Recommended Indicators Units Class
23.1 Valuation of NBS
23.1.1 Value of NBS calculated using GI-Val Outcome-based indicators
23.1.2 Economic Value of Urban Nature Index Outcome-based indicators
23.2 Mean land and/or property value in proximity to green space
23.2.1 Change in mean house prices/ rental markets Outcome-based indicators
23.2.2 Average land productivity and profitability €/ha Outcome-based indicators
23.2.3 Property betterment and visual amenity enhancement €/m2 Outcome-based indicators
23.3 Direct economic activity: Number of new jobs created €/year Outcome-based indicators
23.4 Direct economic activity: Retail and commercial activity in proximity to green space % Outcome-based indicators
23.5 Direct economic activity: Gross value added to local economy from new business creation %/year Outcome-based indicators
23.6 Recreational monetary value €/year Outcome-based indicators
23.7 Overall economic, social and health wellbeing Human Development Index Outcome-based indicators

Additional Indicators Units Class
24.1 New businesses established in proximity to NBS No./year Outcome-based indicators
24.2 Value of rates paid by businesses in proximity to NBS €/year Outcome-based indicators
24.3 New customers to businesses in proximity to NBS Mean No./day per quarter Outcome-based indicators
24.4 Local economy GDP in proximity to NBS €/year Outcome-based indicators
24.5 Initial costs of NBS implementation Outcome-based indicators
24.6 Maintenance costs of NBS €/year Outcome-based indicators
24.7 Replacement costs of NBS Outcome-based indicators
24.8 Avoided costs due to NBS implementation Outcome-based indicators
24.9 Payback period for NBS year Outcome-based indicators
24.10 Reduced/avoided damage costs from hydro meteorological risk reduction €/year Outcome-based indicators
24.11 Social Return on Investment (SROI) €/€ Outcome-based indicators
24.12 Income generated via application of green administrative policies within Living Lab district €/year Outcome-based indicators
24.13 Subsidies applied for private NBS measures €/year Outcome-based indicators
24.14 Private finance attracted to the NBS site €/year Outcome-based indicators
24.15 Increase in tourism Mean no. visitors/day per year Outcome-based indicators
24.16 New activities in the tourism sector Number (1-5) Outcome-based indicators
24.17 Gross profit from nature-based tourism €/year per km2 Outcome-based indicators
24.18 Number of new jobs in green sector % Outcome-based indicators
24.19 Jobs created in NBS construction and maintenance Number (1-5) Outcome-based indicators
24.20 New employment in the tourism sector Number (1-5) Outcome-based indicators
24.21 Turnover in the green sector % Outcome-based indicators
24.22 Employment in agriculture No./ha Outcome-based indicators
24.23 Rural Productivity Index €/ha Outcome-based indicators
24.24 Economic value of productive activities vulnerable to risks €/km2 Outcome-based indicators
24.25 Innovation impact No. Innovations Outcome-based indicators
24.26 Income/Disposable income per capita €/year per person Outcome-based indicators
24.27 Upskilling and related earnings increase Increase in employment earnings per person per year Outcome-based indicators
24.28 Population mobility % in 1 y, % in 2 y, % in 5 y Outcome-based indicators
24.29 Avoided cost of run-off treatment €/y Outcome-based indicators
24.30 Correction Cost of Groundwater Quality €/m3 Outcome-based indicators
24.31 Dissuasive cost of water abstraction €/m3 Outcome-based indicators
24.32 Average water productivity €/m3 Outcome-based indicators
24.33 New areas made available for traditional productive uses km2 Outcome-based indicators
24.34 Value of food produced in NBS €/y Outcome-based indicators
24.35 Renewable energy produced in NBS kWh/y Outcome-based indicators
Sustainable Development Goals

Zero hunger. End hunger, achieve security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture


Target 2.3

By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment.

Indicator 2.3.1: Volume of production per labour unit by classes of farming/pastoral/forestry enterprise size

Target 2.4

By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters and that progressively improve land and soil quality

Indicator 2.4.1: Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture

Target 2.a

Increase investment, including through enhanced international cooperation, in rural infrastructure, agricultural research and extension services, technology development and plant and livestock gene banks in order to enhance agricultural productive capacity in developing countries, in particular least developed countries

Indicator 2.a.1: The agriculture orientation index for government expenditures

Climate Action. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts


Target 13.3

Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning

Indicator 13.3.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning into primary, secondary and tertiary curricula

Indicator 13.3.2: Number of countries that have communicated the strengthening of institutional, systemic and individual capacity-building to implement adaptation, mitigation and technology transfer, and development actions

Target 13.b

Promote mechanisms for raising capacity for effective climate change-related planning and management in least developed countries and small island developing States, including focusing on women, youth and local and marginalized communities 

Indicator 13.b.1: Number of least developed countries and small island developing States that are receiving specialized support, and amount of support, including finance, technology and capacity-building, for mechanisms for raising capacities for effective climate change-related planning and management, including focusing on women, youth and local and marginalized communities

Life below water. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, sea and marine resources for sustainable development


Target 14.c

Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in UNCLOS, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of The Future We Want

Indicator 14.c.1: Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nation Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources

Life on land. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainable manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss


Target 15.2

By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally

Indicator 15.2.1: Progress towards sustainable forest management

Target 15.3

By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world

Indicator 15.3.1: Proportion of land that is degraded over total land area

Target 15.5

Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species

Indicator 15.5.1: Red List Index

Target 15.9

By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies and accounts

Indicator 15.9.1: Progress towards national targets established in accordance with Aichi Biodiversity Target 2 of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020

Target 15.a

Mobilize and significantly increase financial resources from all sources to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity and ecosystems

Indicator 15.a.1: Official development assistance and public expenditure on conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystems

Target 15.b

Mobilize significant resources from all sources and at all levels to finance sustainable forest management and provide adequate incentives to developing countries to advance such management, including for conservation and reforestation

Indicator 15.b.1: Official development assistance and public expenditure on conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystems

Ecosystem Services


Ecosystem Service Categories
  • Spiritual and symbolic appreciation

Real case example of applied NBS

There are no available real case examples at the moment