ABSTRACT
Despite significant research on green infrastructure (GI) and ecosystem services (ES), challenges remain in integrating these concepts into land-use planning and policy. Small-scale implementations dominate, often neglecting broader economic and social benefits. Furthermore, GI planning largely focuses on urban areas, leaving rural landscapes behind.
The theoretical foundation of ES, evolving from early ecological observations to structured frameworks such as the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment and the Common International Classification of Ecosystem Services, underscores their critical role in human well-being. Within this context, the Nature Futures Framework (NFF) emerges as a tool for envisioning sustainable landscapes by integrating multiple value perspectives: Nature for Nature, Nature for Society, and Nature as Culture. Recognising the complex socioecological interconnections that characterise landscape, GI plays a crucial role in enhancing ES within the NFF, ensuring multifunctionality in landscape planning. While urban GI research is well-established, rural applications require greater attention, particularly regarding more than provisioning services. A spatially integrated approach, combining GI mapping and land suitability analysis, can optimise ES delivery and inform policy decisions. This chapter explores how GI and ES integration supports resilient landscapes, fostering sustainability through strategic planning and scenario-based approaches, setting the stage for discussion on ecological functions and land management strategies.
