In the article from Science
Daily, “Natural Engineering Offers Solution against Future Flooding” by
Newcastle University (2014), it was stated that “back-to-nature flood schemes”
which utilise the environment’s “natural capabilities can be an economical
alternative to preventing and mitigating floods”. In the article, Dr Mark
Wilkinson, the research lead, also mentioned that winter rainfall and flooding
occurrence would escalate in the future. It was reported that several
strategies of river-flow management have been exhibited in Belford,
Northumberland, which illustrated the reduction of surface run-off and soil
mineral depletion.
The article stated that the Natural Flood Management (NFM) aspires to scale
down the maximum water height or delay the arrival of the flood, adding more
preparation time for response. This would be done by the management system
hampering the progress of water while working sustainably in tandem with the
environment. Strategies include storing, slowing and redirecting water and
increasing soil infiltration. This proved to be much cheaper (~£200,000) in the
Belford Scheme instead of a “full conventional flood-defense scheme” (~£2.5m).
Mirroring Belford’s flooding situation, many other rural towns can also benefit
from the NFM. The article stated that the Natural Flood Management (NFM)
aspired to scale down the maximum water height or delayed the arrival of the
flood, adding more preparation time for response. This will be done by
hampering the progress of water while working sustainably in tandem with the
environment.
The NFM scheme has multiple benefits to the environment. According to Scottish Environment Protection Agency (2015), NFM measures seek to directly restore or strengthen an ecosystem which in turn supports a broader range of habitats and species. On top of that, the mechanisms of the NFM system help to reduce flooding by restoring natural sediment processes and improve water quality.
Despite so, the NFM may have overlooked the possible challenges or problems which may arise if the system was to be implemented in other regional areas since there may be differences in regional geography. According to Kirk (2018), it has been predicted that United Kingdom will be hit by drastic storms, intense downpours and increasing sea levels in the upcoming century. Because of this, there were concerns about the country’s capabilities in coping with the issues of flooding. Even though defences and precautions have been taken, there is no guarantee about its sustainability. Thus, nature also plays a role in tackling this treacherous situation, which is supported by the measures taken by NFM of strengthening an ecosystem. With any NFM measure which works to enhance the quality of water, it could also possibly improve the habitat for fishes and other wildlife (SEPA, 2015).
For instance, The Eddleson Water Project is a project which involves the restoration of Eddleson Water for the advantages of flood attenuation, local community and natural habitat. An extensive network of measures for rain gauges, groundwater and river level have been put in place throughout the entire valley to monitor how the changes affect river flows and flood frequencies, which may also show the kind of changes which will occur to the river’s habitat and wildlife. In addition to the advantages to flooding and habitat restoration, the project has also improved soil conservation and water quality, while improving landscape (SEPA, 2015).
Overall, we will never be able to determine the rising of the next flood. The protection of coasts solely with hard engineering structures (e.g. sea walls) would lead to more problems as the costs would be tremendous. Thus, this highlights the importance of nature and natural processes in the long run, as it is more prudent to work alongside with nature by adapting to the consequences of climate change, rather than challenge the sea as an enemy.
References
Kirk, A. (2018, March 26). What is Britain doing to tackle
flooding in the face of extreme weather? Retrieved January 25,2019 from
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/11/23/britain-tackle-flooding-face-extreme-weather/
Newcastle University. (2014, January 28). ‘Natural’ engineering offers solution against future flooding. ScienceDaily. Retrieved February 8, 2019 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/01/140128094531.htm
Scottish Environment Protection Agency. (December, 2015). Natural Flood Management Handbook. Retrieved February 15, 2019, from https://www.sepa.org.uk/media/163560/sepa-natural-flood-management-handbook1.pdf
Communication is an enjoyable learning process 