The Environment Agency has released an updated Working with Natural Processes Evidence Directory, enhancing the original publication from 2017. This new edition incorporates findings from over 700 scientific studies and summarizes evidence for 17 natural flood management (NFM) measures focused on river, floodplain, woodland, runoff, and coastal management. NFM aims to protect and restore natural functions of ecosystems to mitigate flooding and coastal erosion, applicable in both urban and rural settings.
Key findings highlight that catchment woodlands not only reduce flood risk but also provide benefits for soil health, biodiversity, and water quality. For example, studies indicate that woodland areas can slow floodwater flow by 14-50% compared to pastures.
The directory also emphasizes the advantages of restoring salt marshes and mudflats, which can store significant amounts of carbon and filter pollutants, thus improving water quality. For the first time, emerging evidence on coastal reefs, submerged aquatic vegetation, and beavers is included, indicating their potential benefits in flood risk reduction.
The directory serves as a crucial resource for informing future investments in NFM initiatives and supports the selection of effective measures for implementation. Julie Foley from the Environment Agency highlighted the importance of integrating natural flood management with traditional engineering solutions to enhance resilience against climate change-related flooding. New evidence also demonstrates that combining multiple NFM strategies can yield substantial benefits, as shown in trials on the River Evenlode and Salmons Brook, which achieved significant reductions in floodwater height. Overall, this updated directory reinforces the growing body of evidence supporting NFM’s effectiveness in managing flood risks while providing additional environmental benefits.
