There is a good level of understanding of the local hydrological effects of most NFM measures. However, the wider hydrological impacts of NFM measures at the catchment scale are less clear. This topic includes research on the effects of NFM, as well as research that supports delivery, such as social research on land managers attitudes to NFM or barriers to implementation. Scientific research is available in all forms and scales, for example, from empirical studies to new modelling tools and from the plot scale to the full catchment scale.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have recently published a book entitled "Engineering With Nature: An Atlas". The Atlas showcases 56 international projects, which includes one Scottish case study (the Bowmont Catchment). The atlas is organised into eight sections (Beaches and Dunes, Wetlands, Islands, Reefs, Riverine Systems, Levee setbacks and floodplains, use of vegetation and natural materials and environment enhancements of infrastructure).
A new video has been released outlining the role of the Eddleston Water project in the international Interreg Building with Nature project. For further details on the Eddleston water project please visit the case study page within the NFM network Scotland site. The project is funded by the Scottish Government and the European Union's Interreg North Sea Region Programme. The video can be viewed at the bottom of this page.
The West Cumbria Rivers Trust have recently published a new handbook called "Natural Flood Management Handbook: a practical guide for farmers". The book was funded by West Cumbria Rivers Trust, Environment Agency, Newground and Heritage Lottery Fund. The guide has been developed to offer simple, clear information on NFM measures for landowners and farmers in NW England.
The European Environment Agency have published a short report on "why should we care about floodplains?". It highlights a series of key messages about the role floodplains play in delivering a range of ecosystem services. The report can be accessed via the link below from the European Environment Agency website.
A short report of the Interreg Building with Nature Coordination meeting has been published by Sniffer. The Scottish Government hosted the coordination meeting in Dundee in September and delegates had the opportunity to visit Eddleston, Montrose and St. Andrews NFM projects. A link to the workshop report can be found below.
The Rottal Burn in the South Esk Catchment was re-meandered in 2012. During the project 1100m of new channel plus backwaters was created, connection to wetlands was established, and 2000 native trees were planted.
An open access book is now available online which provides lots of best practice examples of sustainable river management. "Riverine Ecosystem Management: Science for Governing Towards a Sustainable Future" aims to be of interest to a range of readers from scientists to practitioners. For more information on the book please refer to the link below.
A podcast released by America Adapts and sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund entitled, Flooding and Nature Based Solutions - the good, the bad and the ugly of flooding features interviews with experts discussing Nature based solutions to flood management.
The Building with Nature (BwN) project (funded by EU Interreg) has produced a short video to explain the project. The Scottish Government, SEPA and Tweed Forum are partners on the project and are focused on the 'catchments' workpackage (the Eddleston catchment is a case study site in the project).
The Environment Agency, CIRIA and other partners are hoping to develop technical guidance on specific Natural Flood Management measures. To begin with they have created a short scoping survey. This is your opportunity to contribute to this survey.
The survey is accessible via the link below and will close towards the end of June.