Abstract:  Guandu Wetlands, an educational and research center in Taipei, provides conservation education for the public and university researchers. Mangroves within the wetlands deliver essential ecosystem services, socio-economic benefits, and play a critical role in mitigating rising CO₂ emissions. However, these ecosystems face threats from climate change and anthropogenic pressures. Nature-based Solutions (NbS) have emerged as an effective approach to address such societal and environmental challenges, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has developed a Global Standard to ensure rigor and accountability in NbS projects. Implementing NbS in resource-limited contexts, however, poses challenges for long-term monitoring and management. This study aims to evaluate how the Guandu Wetlands align with the IUCN Global Standard for NbS, identifying stakeholder priorities, gaps, and trade-offs in wetland management. Interviews were conducted between April and June 2024 with key stakeholders—including Guandu Nature Park, the Forestry Bureau, the Taipei City Hall Hydrology Department, and the Wild Bird Society—using questions aligned with the IUCN Global Standard for NbS. The knowledgeable stakeholders independently scored each of the eight criteria, and the results were analyzed to identify priorities, gaps, and perceived trade-offs in wetland management. These findings highlight how each stakeholder perceives and prioritizes conservation and management strategies. Balanced trade-offs, adaptive management, and design at scale scored the highest, while sustainability & mainstreaming and economic feasibility scored low. This case study provides insights into NbS implementation and the role of universities, research, and education centers in monitoring wetland ecosystems. This research emphasizes opportunities to strengthen sustainable management, community engagement, and ecosystem stewardship. Overall, the study demonstrates how collaborative, science-based strategies can inform decision-making and generate tangible ecological and societal benefits of blue ecosystems.

Keywords:  blue ecosystems; nature‐based solutions; stakeholder engagement; wetlands

Published:   25 March 2026

Issue:   Vol 3 (2026): University and Coastal Society Contributions to Ocean Sustainability (In Progress)