Ecosystem services provision through nature-based solutions: A sustainable development pathway to environmental stewardship as evidenced in the Protecting Lake Hawassa Partnership in Ethiopia

The imperative to foster environmental stewardship amidst escalating challenges has driven the adoption of nature-based solutions (NBS) for landscape restoration. This paper explores the implementation and impacts of ecohydrological NBS interventions within the context of sustainable development, focusing on restoring locally valued ecosystem services and catalyzing environmental stewardship to drive environmental, economic, and social sustainability. It posits that if development interventions effectively deliver ecosystem services valuable to stakeholders, impacted communities are likely to support local environmental protection. Ethiopia’s Protecting Lake Hawassa Partnership (PLHP) employed a participatory approach guided by the Natural Resources Risk and Action Framework (NRAF) to engage a diverse network of local stakeholders in restoring and protecting the watershed. Implemented ecohydrological NBS enhanced ecosystem functionality in targeted hillslopes, gullies, and degraded farmlands. Multiple ecosystem services addressing soil erosion, water scarcity, and agricultural productivity were delivered, including productivity enhancement, flood regulation, land preservation, co-benefits from plantation, and moisture conservation. Landscape Functionality Analysis (LFA) revealed significant improvements in ecosystem stability, infiltration, and nutrient cycling. Qualitative assessments of the communities’ perception of ecosystem services emphasized the importance of aligning development project outcomes with local needs. Results underscored the robust nexus between NBS, ecosystem services, and environmental stewardship, highlighting the role of perceived benefits in fostering community engagement. The study advocates that environmental management practices, including NBS, which tangibly improve ecosystem services prioritized by local communities, drive stewardship and, therefore, the long-term sustainability of improved environmental protection. Further research is warranted to explore the scalability and cost-effectiveness of NBS interventions in diverse socioeconomic contexts, and to enhance understanding of trade-offs and synergies between economic development, ecological conservation, and social equity in development projects.