Concerns about increased flood risk and loss of biodiversity in lowland areas,
coupled with changing priorities in the countryside have drawn attention to the
potential contribution that managed washlands can make to improved flood
management, habitats and wildlife. Following a review of research literature, a
survey of flood managers and conservation officers, and an evaluation of
selected case sites in England, a framework to help integrate potential flood
management and biodiversity opportunities was constructed. This framework
consists of three components, namely: a Hydraulic classification which
categorises washlands according to degree of hydraulic control; a Habitat
classification which captures attributes of washland hydrology that define the
type of existing or potential habitats; and, a Menu of Interventions to
“engineer” or manage particular flooding and soil wetness regimes and thereby
better exploit habitat potential. Washlands were also categorised by main type
of benefit whether this is flood management, conservation, or in the case of
integratedwashland, a balance of the two. The advantages of alternative
administrative and funding arrangements for washlands, whether land acquisition
or annual payment to existing land owners, were also explored. It was concluded
that the classification of washland flooding and water level regimes can help to
define habitat potential. It can also help to guide hydraulic engineering and
management actions that can be taken to realise this potential. Although there
is potential synergy between flooding and biodiversity under some flood regimes,
biodiversity benefits mainly depend on the management of water regimes following
flood events. There is a clear need to “join up” hitherto fragment
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