Beavers can play a role in dealing with flooding, the Environment Agency’s evaluation – Irvine Times

The updated directory summarizes the latest evidence of the benefits of floods and coastal erosion of 17 natural measures – from the restoration of rivers to forests in catch and on currents for water and the management of salt spells and sand dunes.

The Environment Agency stated that the “furnishing” of the use of natural flood management, along with the use of traditional engineering defenses, as a program for £ 25 million as part of the two -year flood protection package of £ 2.65 billion, announced Recently by the government.

The directory will help to inform investment decisions and support the choice of measures on the spot, the agency said.

For the first time, the directory, which relys on research, including more than 700 scientific documents, includes an assessment of the role of beavers, oyster reefs and underwater sea grass and captivity can play for protection against flood and coastal erosion.

He discovers that the presence of beans – which engineer the ecosystem by building dams and channels – can reduce peak flows, reduce water streams, increase groundwater storage, capture sludge, connect the floodplains, and to Supports other wild animals and store carbon.

But it says more evidence is needed, especially from the United Kingdom, in a number of areas such as the number and location of the dams in reservoirs that are needed to have significant benefits to reduce floods downstream and understand the most and understanding of the most and understanding of the most. Effective management and maintenance techniques.

Beats were chased to disappear in the UK about 400 years ago, but returned to the rivers of England, through escape from enclosures and illegal editions, and legal protection was provided in 2022.

But environmentalists want to re -introduce beaver, to create wetlands and river systems that enhance a number of other wild animals and mitigate from drought and floods, are still waiting for a government solution to licensing wild versions of semi -watered mammals.

The directory of the Environment Agency also emphasizes the use of schemes such as planting trees showing the value of forests through a catchment area, which reduce the risk of floods and provide benefits for soil, wild and water quality.

Crab forests can reduce the height of the floods, especially during less events – with one study in Cambria, suggesting that the water flow is delayed by 14% to 50% compared to Pastureland.

And the directory emphasizes how the restoration of Saltmarsh and Mudflats protects coastal areas from storms, but also have broader benefits, such as storing carbon and filtering of sediment and nutrients.

A “controlled adjustment” scheme, which disturbed the old sea walls to allow the creation of 250 hectares of Sollenmars in Steart Marshes in Somethets, stores 36.6 tonnes of carbon per hectare, found a recent study that compares favorably With the forest.

The directory indicates the gaps in research, such as the best reef depth, to help oysters grow at the same time as the wool energy reduced and the best methods for developing such reefs.

Julie Foley, Director of the Environmental Risk and National Adaptation Strategy Agency, said: “With the increase in climate change increases flood threats and coastal erosion, we must work with nature to enhance the sustainability of the whole Country.

“That is why the Environment Agency covers the use of natural flood management along with the use of traditional engineering protection. “

She said the Natural Flood Management Program of 25 million British pounds was shaped by “working with a natural processes directory” and stated that the Fund tests for future investment approaches and natural flood management.

Katherine Brown, the Director of Wildlife, to climate change and evidence, said: “Getting the best evidence to support our collective efforts to build sustainability is critical.

“I am glad to see the latest science of natural flood management management that are gathered in one place through the Environment Agency’s evidence directory, with an emphasis on the ratio of the relationship-to see a new recognition of the role that Beavers can play in Natural flood management. “