Preparing to search
Subscribe to the Forest Research Vimeo channel.
Many parts of the UK are seriously impacted by flooding and the frequency of floods is expected to increase due to climate change.
This is due to a combination of projected sea level rise, heavier rainfall episodes and increased rainfall in winter.
For flood-intolerant tree species, flooding and prolonged waterlogging can:
Site factors that influence the impact of flooding include:
Forests and riparian woodland can contribute substantially to reducing downstream flood risk due to their rainfall interception, water uptake, and high surface roughness, slowing both run-off and the peak flow in streams and watercourses. However, these benefits are dependent on healthy woodlands and the trees themselves may be damaged by an increase in soil wetness and flooding.
Care in species choice, soil management and drainage, woodland design, placement and management can mitigate these effects. They can also help to secure woodland benefits for reducing downstream flood risk.
How to help mitigate the long-term impact of flooding and reduce flood risk:
There are range of online tools to assist managers in assessing risks to forest and woodlands and selecting appropriate adaption measures.
