Course project

Nut Trees as Urban Resilience and Climate Solutions

Explore the complexities of using nut trees for climate adaptation and mitigation, improving biodiversity, and food resilience.

Client

Sustainable Development Skåne is a non-profit regional collaboration organization that works to promote ecological, social, and economic sustainability in the Skåne region of Sweden. Its work is carried out through projects, networks, and partnerships involving more than 80 member organizations. The organization focuses on bringing stakeholders together, driving joint initiatives, and developing practical solutions in areas such as sustainable food systems, circular resource flows, social sustainability, and public procurement.

Background

In the project NUTS, Hållbar Utveckling Skåne and collaborators are exploring how nut trees—such as walnut, hazel and chestnut—could strengthen climate resilience and local food preparedness in Skåne. Nut trees may contribute to carbon storage, drought tolerance, stormwater infiltration, shade, biodiversity and nutrient-rich food production.

Helsingborg City has identified carbon sequestration and climate adaptation as strategic priorities. One scenario under discussion is that one in three households living in houses could plant a nut tree, raising questions about the effect on canopy cover, carbon storage, stormwater management and biodiversity.

At the same time, several practical uncertainties remain, such as: summer water shortages, limited garden space, differences between species and cultivars, pests such as hazelnut weevils, fertilizer needs, household motivation, and trade-offs between household-scale and commercial nut production.

This makes it difficult for cities like Helsingborg to evaluate nut trees as part of their long-term climate and preparedness strategies. You are invited to help explore a part of this broader challenge.

Task

The challenge can be explored from several perspectives, and these may be combined within a broader systems analysis.

Carbon Storage and Ecosystem Services

How might nut trees contribute to carbon sequestration and other ecosystem services in urban environments?

Possible areas of exploration include carbon storage potential, canopy development, biodiversity impacts, species comparisons, spatial distribution patterns, and interactions between different ecosystem services.

Water Resilience and Climate Adaptation

What role could nut trees play in addressing future climate-related challenges?

Relevant aspects may include stormwater management, drought resilience, infiltration, soil moisture, urban heat reduction, future climate scenarios, and differences between species in terms of water requirements and climate tolerance.

Urban Systems, Food Preparedness and Practical Feasibility

What factors influence whether nut trees can become a meaningful component of urban resilience and preparedness strategies?

Potential areas of exploration include household engagement, land availability, food production potential, pests and diseases, management requirements, policy instruments, municipal planning, and trade-offs between different land uses and objectives.

Outcome

The project will explore the challenge from a systems perspective, mapping key actors, relationships and ecological processes. It will identify important opportunities, barriers and uncertainties, examine a selected focus area in greater depth, and highlight potential pathways for increasing resilience and sustainability.

Related Sustainability Goals

Company Hållbar Utveckling Skåne
Requirements You take the course Critical Thinking and Complex Systems
Scope Course project
Location Distance work
Contact

Emma Brodén
emma@sustainalink.se
0760-345141

Additional information

Hållbar Utveckling Skåne would appreciate if there is atleast one Swedish-speaking student in the group/project.

Apply