Flooding is a major environmental hazard facing the UK, with at least six million properties at risk of flooding (Figure 1). Studies predict that this risk is likely to increase in the future due to climate change and urban development. The potential societal impacts and economic damages from flooding are expected to escalate, with major floods already costing multiple £billion. These concerns are driving a more sustainable approach to flood risk management involving greater working with natural processes. This has led to the concept of ‘natural flood
management’ (NFM), in which natural features and characteristics are used to slow down and store more floodwater within upstream catchments (Figure 2). Forests and woodlands are known to reduce flood flows (Box 1) and can make an important contribution to NFM. On the other hand, forest operations such as cultivation, drainage, road
construction and harvesting can have the opposite effect if not appropriately managed. The UK Forestry Standard (UKFS) recognises the potential of forestry to affect downstream flooding and includes a set of requirements and guidelines to ensure that forests, forest management and woodland creation make a positive contribution. This Practice Guide describes how to comply with the UKFS Good Forestry Practice Requirement that those planning woodland creation or the management and redesign of existing forests and woodlands in areas prone to flooding should consider how their activities could reduce flood risk. It describes how forestry affects the risk of flooding and provides practical advice on implementing the UKFS water guidelines on reducing peak flows and flooding. This includes how factors such as the location, scale and design of woodland creation influence its contribution to flood reduction; how to remedy drainage systems to delay run-off; how to phase felling to limit the temporary loss of woodland benefit; and opportunities to enhance water storage and slow run-off within forests. Keywords: flooding, flood risk, forests, natural flood management, NFM, planning, riparian management, UK Forestry Standard, water, woodlands, woodland creation
