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Constructed Wetlands as Nature-Based Solutions in the Post-COVID Agri-Food Supply Chain: Challenges and Opportunities

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  • Vasileios Takavakoglou

    (Soil and Water Resources Institute, Hellenic Agricultural Organization “DEMETER”, Thermi, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece
    Laboratory of General and Agricultural Hydraulics and Land Reclamation, Department of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece)

  • Eleanna Pana

    (Laboratory of General and Agricultural Hydraulics and Land Reclamation, Department of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece)

  • Dimitris Skalkos

    (Laboratory of Food Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece)

Abstract

The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted the interchangeable link between human and nature. The health and socioeconomic impacts of COVID-19 are directly or indirectly linked to the natural environment and to the way that agri-food systems interact with nature. Although the pandemic continues to evolve and there are still many uncertainties, important issues about the future of the agri-food sector and the need for a sustainable and environmentally friendly reformation are beginning to arise in society. Nature-based Solutions (NbSs) encompass a broad range of practices that can be introduced in the agri-food supply chain and address multiple environmental challenges of the COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 era while providing economic and societal benefits. In this perspective, the design and establishment of multifunctional constructed wetlands as NbSs opens a portfolio of eco-innovative options throughout the agri-food supply chain, offering a realistic and promising way towards the green regeneration of the post-COVID-19 economy and the welfare of society. The aim of this work is to explore the potential role of constructed wetlands as Nature-based Solutions in the agri-food supply chain of the forthcoming post-COVID-19 era. More specifically, this work aims to reveal application opportunities of constructed wetlands in the different segments of the agri-food supply chain, identify linkages with societal challenges and EU policies, and discuss their potential limitations, future challenges, and perspectives.

Suggested Citation

  • Vasileios Takavakoglou & Eleanna Pana & Dimitris Skalkos, 2022. "Constructed Wetlands as Nature-Based Solutions in the Post-COVID Agri-Food Supply Chain: Challenges and Opportunities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-14, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:6:p:3145-:d:766210
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