aSSESSING THE POTENTIAL ROLE OF RIPARIAN WOODLANDS TO MITIGATE FLOODING THROUGH COST EFFICIENT NATURAL FLOOD MANAGEMENT (NFM) IN IRELAND IS AN URGENT RESEARCH PRIORITY
Abstract
In Ireland, structural and non-structural measures are commonly used to mitigate the threat of local and regional flooding when implementing the EU Flood Directive (2007/60/EC). However, the use of natural flood management (NFM) measures such as riparian woodland could combine with the above measures to increase flood protection particularly in large urbanized areas. Riparian woodlands have been shown to support regulating ecosystem services (ES) including flood mitigation but thus far, have not been recognized in Ireland. This documentary analysis aims to determine whether riparian woodlands can act as a NFM measure minimizing the impact of flooding along Irish river catchments. Three objectives are considered: 1) To assess the socioeconomic impacts of increased flood risk and cost saving benefits of flood defense in river catchments, 2) To examine the use of riparian woodlands as a NFM measure, and 3) To determine whether there is societal support for the use of riparian woodlands as a NFM measure. An objectivist/positivist approach to documentary analysis was applied, however due to time constraints and the small-scale nature of the research, nine scientific articles were evaluated. Results indicate that climate change and human population growth are major factors influencing the socioeconomic impacts of future flood risk. Scientists and land managers recognize the cost saving benefits of implementing flood defenses such as riparian woodland however, the choice of mitigation measure is surprisingly based on weak scientific research. Therefore, this documentary analysis recommends further research into the effective application of NFM measures with a view to minimizing the impacts of flooding in Irish river catchments, and attitudes of Irish land owners toward EU Flood Directive policy. The introduction is followed by three sections: the first assessing the socioeconomic impacts of increased flood risk and cost saving benefits of flood defenses in river catchments; the second evaluating the role of riparian woodland as a potential NFM measure; and the third examining the attitudes of society towards the use of riparian woodland as a NFM measure. Finally, concluding remarks and recommendations are made.
Keywords: Flood Risk, EU FLOODS DIRECTIVE, Flood Protection, Ecosystem services
In Ireland, structural and non-structural measures are commonly used to mitigate the threat of local and regional flooding when implementing the EU Flood Directive (2007/60/EC). However, the use of natural flood management (NFM) measures such as riparian woodland could combine with the above measures to increase flood protection particularly in large urbanized areas. Riparian woodlands have been shown to support regulating ecosystem services (ES) including flood mitigation but thus far, have not been recognized in Ireland. This documentary analysis aims to determine whether riparian woodlands can act as a NFM measure minimizing the impact of flooding along Irish river catchments. Three objectives are considered: 1) To assess the socioeconomic impacts of increased flood risk and cost saving benefits of flood defense in river catchments, 2) To examine the use of riparian woodlands as a NFM measure, and 3) To determine whether there is societal support for the use of riparian woodlands as a NFM measure. An objectivist/positivist approach to documentary analysis was applied, however due to time constraints and the small-scale nature of the research, nine scientific articles were evaluated. Results indicate that climate change and human population growth are major factors influencing the socioeconomic impacts of future flood risk. Scientists and land managers recognize the cost saving benefits of implementing flood defenses such as riparian woodland however, the choice of mitigation measure is surprisingly based on weak scientific research. Therefore, this documentary analysis recommends further research into the effective application of NFM measures with a view to minimizing the impacts of flooding in Irish river catchments, and attitudes of Irish land owners toward EU Flood Directive policy. The introduction is followed by three sections: the first assessing the socioeconomic impacts of increased flood risk and cost saving benefits of flood defenses in river catchments; the second evaluating the role of riparian woodland as a potential NFM measure; and the third examining the attitudes of society towards the use of riparian woodland as a NFM measure. Finally, concluding remarks and recommendations are made.
Keywords: Flood Risk, EU FLOODS DIRECTIVE, Flood Protection, Ecosystem services
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