Woodland
Woodlands can help to attenuate floods through a number of hydrological processes, such as the interception of rainfall, increased use of water (evapotranspiration), and increased infiltration of water into the soil profile. Woodlands also act to slow surface runoff and reduce sediment transport down hillslopes, by increasing the resistance to flow. Upland areas, which have higher rainfall, steeper slopes, gullies and often quite shallow soils, can deliver significant amounts of floodwater from headwaters to the lower catchment areas. Well sited and managed woodlands protect the soil from disturbance and improve soil structure due to the action of tree roots and high inputs of organic matter. These conditions enhance the soil infiltration pathways and the water storage capacity thereby reducing direct surface run-off, erosion and sediment transport.
Learning from community led flood risk management (CREW report)
What can be learnt from working with a community to identify what flood risk management measures are needed, are acceptable and which deliver the greatest multiple benefits?
Land management for increased flood resilience (CREW report)
The 'Land management for increased flood resilience' report was published by CREW and authored by Spray et al., (2015). The main objectives of the project were to undertake:
Foundation for common land release position statement on Natural Flood Management
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
- the range of interventions available under NFM,
- Why stakeholder participation is essential not optional,
- The multiple benefits of NFM,
- The role of trees and grassland management,
- Common land in relation to NFM and
- the limitations of NFM.
More information can be found in the link below.
Multiple benefits of NFM highlighted in summary poster
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.
What can be learnt from working with a community to identify what flood risk management measures are needed, are acceptable and which deliver the greatest multiple benefits?
The 'Land management for increased flood resilience' report was published by CREW and authored by Spray et al., (2015). The main objectives of the project were to undertake: A large scale survey of farmers’ attitudes to NFM and to the use of potential policy instruments to promote its uptake and delivery; andFarm-scale economic analyses of the impact of NFM measures under different scenarios.See - https://www.crew.ac.uk/publication/land-management-increased-flood-resilience
In 2016, SEPA published this handbook to help local authorities and landowners implement NFM