The NB3 Framework application dataset: biophysical, socio-economic, and ecological characterization of spatially explicit, participatively derived Coastal Units across three EU coastal restoration pilots

Spatially explicit dataset resulting from the participative application of the Nature-Based Building Blocks (NB3) Framework at three coastal restoration pilots within the EU H2020 REST-COAST project (https://rest-coast.eu/). The theoretical foundations and development of the NB3 Framework are presented in Arslan & van Loon-Steensma (2025); its application design at the REST-COAST pilots is detailed in Arslan et al. (2026). These datasets are the primary subject of the data paper: A spatially explicit, participatively derived dataset for Nature-based Building Blocks integrating biophysical, social, and ecological characteristics across EU coastal restoration pilots (Arslan et al., submitted). The framework integrates two core methods: the Input-Process-Output (IPO) model and the Participative Downscaling Approach. Each data table is a structured output from the stakeholder-based application of the IPO model at a spatially explicit Coastal Unit, derived through the Participative Downscaling Method. Pilot sites are located at the Venice Lagoon (Italy), Foros Bay (Bulgaria), and Vistula Lagoon (Poland). The spatial extent of each Coastal Unit is accessible via the Interactive Web Map (https://c-arslan-wur.github.io/interactive-web-map/), a tool developed for the framework to support stakeholder engagement with geospatial data. Each data table has a structured format; Specifying involved stakeholders as data owners Summarizing site characteristics including delimitation, geomorphology, and environmental pressures Assigning restoration process as the primary NbS-driven intervention within the Coastal Unit Identifying input parameters as biophysical and socio-economic variables explaining Coastal Unit’s degradation, each attributed with measurement unit (SI where applicable), impact (relevance to the restoration action), data source (model, measurement, or literature), and source reference. Assessing output targets as ecosystem services and biodiversity improvements evaluating Coastal Unit’s restoration. Ecosystem services rated using an expert-based semi-quantitative five-point scale; biodiversity described as habitats and species through consensus-based qualitative narratives drawing on local knowledge, past restoration experience, and available monitoring data. For each data table, the spatial extent of its Coastal Unit is provided in two formats: an application-specific JSON file readable by the Interactive Web Map, enabling direct Coastal Unit visualization upon upload; and a standard GEOJSON file in the WGS 84 geodetic coordinate reference system (EPSG:4326), suitable for use in GIS environments. Beyond coordinates, both files include metadata on pilot site, Coastal Unit code, NbS process, and a link to the associated data table. Together, each structured data table and its spatial extent jointly constitute a complete Coastal Unit at a pilot site within the NB3 Framework. Data Tables: Table1_CoastalUnit_PC2_SM4326.xlsx: Pilot site Venice Lagoon NbS process Artificial Salt Marsh Reconstruction Coastal Unit PC2_SM4326 Spatial extent SpatialData_CoastalUnit_PC2_SM4326.json SpatialData_CoastalUnit_PC2_SM4326.geojson Interactive Web Map https://c-arslan-wur.github.io/interactive-web-map/?nb3L=Venice%20Lagoon&nb3U=PC2_SM4326&nb3P=Artificial%20Salt%20Marsh%20Reconstruction Table2_CoastalUnit_CS_1.xlsx: Pilot site Foros Bay NbS process Sea Grass Conservation Coastal Unit CS_1 Spatial extent SpatialData_CoastalUnit_CS_1.json SpatialData_CoastalUnit_CS_1.geojson Interactive Web Map https://c-arslan-wur.github.io/interactive-web-map/?nb3L=Foros%20Bay&nb3U=CS_1&nb3P=Sea%20Grass%20Conservation Table3_CoastalUnit_WE.xlsx: Pilot site Vistula Lagoon NbS process Artificial Bird Island Construction Coastal Unit WE Spatial extent SpatialData_CoastalUnit_WE.json SpatialData_CoastalUnit_WE.geojson Interactive Web Map https://c-arslan-wur.github.io/interactive-web-map/?nb3L=Vistula%20Lagoon&nb3U=WE&nb3P=Artificial%20Bird%20Island%20Construction This dataset was derived through phased and iterative stakeholder engagement at each pilot site, integrating spatially explicit biophysical, socio-economic and ecological information. This process enhances transparency, accountability, and internal coherence, while grounding the dataset in site-specific context. Across pilots, the dataset supports comparative assessment of restoration opportunities, constraints, and trade-offs by translating complex local contexts into operational restoration units, thereby establishing a reproducible and transferable basis to inform NbS upscaling.