River and floodplain management

A new book on multifunctional wetlands has been produced by UNU-INWEH. The book aims to put wetlands at the heart of the Nature Based Solutions approach. The book is designed to aid planners and ecosystem managers on the value of creating and restoring wetlands in catchments. The full title of the book is "Multi-functional Wetlands; Pollution Abatement and Other Ecological Services from Natural and Constructed Wetlands"

The foundation for common land has released a position statement on the use of Natural Flood Management. The statement looks at the potential benefits and limations of NFM focusing on six topic areas. These are

1. the range of interventions available under NFM,
2. Why stakeholder participation is essential not optional,
3. The multiple benefits of NFM,
4. The role of trees and grassland management,
5. Common land in relation to NFM and
6. the limitations of NFM.

More information can be found in the link below.

A short summary poster has been produced by Esther Morrissey highlighting the multiple benefits of Natural Flood Management. The poster focuses on multiple benefits such as biodiversity and conservation, improving water quality, habitat creation and improving green space and also looks and social benefits such as improving community spirit.

A new film is being previewed online which gives an extensive overview of the role of Natural Flood Management. The film, directed by Andy Clark, covers topics such as the evidence, the role of communities and the role of landmanagers in working with Natural Flood Management. The film website gives information of viewings that may be taking place near you and a detailed film 'snippet' library. The library contains real stories told by active stakeholders working with NFM. It is supported by a number of institutes who are working closely with Natural Flood Management network Scotland.

The European Environment Agency have issued a statement highlighting the importance of restoring floodplains and wetlands to offer value for money solutions to flooding. This comes out of the latest publication on "Green Infrastructure and flood management - promoting cost-efficient flood risk reduction via green infrastructure solutions" which outlined series of challenges and opportunities of using more Nature Based Solution approaches. There are six detailed case studies in the report. More details can be found in the link below.

A manual has been released on soil management with respect to Natural Flood Management, specifically for soils in the Devon and Cornwall region (however, findings have wider applicability). The document, authored by Richard Smith from the Environment Agency (and supported by Devon County Council, East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, FWAG South West and South West Water) aims to improve understanding on  the potential of soil in the region to infiltrate rainfall thereby reducing surface runoff.

The Environment Agency for England and Wales recently published various outputs from the Working with Natural Processes (WWNP) project. The project looked at mechanisms to reduce flood hazards by using natural techniques in catchments and coasts. The project is underpinned by an extensive literature review which collated all known available knowledge within the UK and also drew upon relevant international literature. This literature has been synthesized into one location allowing it to be accessible to flood risk planners and other interested bodies.