Bridging Ecology and Infrastructure: Evaluating the Integrated Benefits of Nature‐based Solutions

Climate change and the decline in biodiversity continue unabated. For this reason, these pressing challenges must be increasingly considered in the planning and construction of transport routes. Trees and shrubs can be used in a targeted manner to enhance the climate resilience of infrastructure. Additionally, they sequester greenhouse gases and create new habitats for biodiversity. A diverse range of natural and hybrid measures, including Nature‐based Solutions, integrates ecological and infrastructural functions. The characteristics of woody plants vary widely depending on abiotic factors such as soil type, moisture, and climate. This variability complicates the concrete assessment of ecological benefits. We present a first approach to systematically evaluate measures on traffic infrastructure for their contributions to carbon storage and biodiversity. Using collected literature data and existing databases, we provide specific insights into the ecological value of woody plants in transport infrastructure. This approach enables the evaluation and comparison of measures that help to improve the ecological footprint of transport networks.