Natural hazards - Flooding

Title

Exploring the relationship between public environmental ethics and river flood policies in western Europe

Reference

Journal of Environmental Management
Volume 93, Issue 1, January 2012, Pages 1–9

Author(s)

Study type

Peer Review Journal   

Abstract

Two styles of river flood management can be distinguished: dike reinforcement and the more sustainable 'Room for River' option. This paper investigates public adherences to these two management styles and whether their adherence correlates with their Visions of Nature. The focus is especially on people's image of the appropriate human/nature relationship, i.e. Mastery over nature, Stewardship of nature, Partnership of nature or Participation in nature. Other variables that are part of the analysis are the respondents' sense of place, safety perception and background variables. The results of a written survey among riverside residents in France, Germany and the Netherlands (N = 1811) show high adherences to the Room for River style and a rejection of dike reinforcement. A regression analysis shows that adherence to the Room for River style correlates with adherence to the image of Stewardship, while adherence to dike reinforcement is predicted by Mastery over nature. Thus, according to the public a policy shift from dike reinforcement to a more sustainable style is seen as a fundamental one, connected to a change in environmental ethics.

Policy theme(s)

Environmental information services >> Environmental communication >> Stakeholder/public engagement
Natural hazards >> Flooding
Water >> Flooding

Keywords

Visions of nature; Place attachment; Public perceptions; Public support;
River restoration; Flood risk management

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert 

View this study at:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301479711003197

There is a fee to view this study in full    

Contact the study author at:

mirjam.degroot@wur.nl

Title

A method for linking results from an evaluation of land use scenarios from the viewpoint of flood prevention and nature conservation

Reference

Landscape and Urban Planning
Volume 103, Issue 2, 30 November 2011, Pages 118-128

Author(s)

Elke Richert, Sylvi Bianchin, Hermann Heilmeier, Mariusz Merta, Christina Seidler

Study type

Peer Review Journal   

Abstract

Flood prevention and nature conservation are often considered not to be compatible. This publication presents a method by which different land use scenarios can be developed and interdisciplinarily evaluated from both the flood prevention and nature conservation perspective. The method was designed and tested using a small subcatchment area in the Eastern Erzgebirge (Saxony, Germany) as an example. Based on guidelines four scenarios were developed. Main measures are transformation of arable fields into extensively used grasslands, afforestation and ecological transformation of forests. The ecological assessment was based on an analysis of biotope types and closely linked to an evaluation of landscape structure. To asses the hydrological situation and to identify risk areas in the catchment, the expert system WBS-FLAB was used. The assessment procedures were designed to enable a comparison of various scenarios with each other. Finally the evaluation results of both assessment procedures were related to each other. A comparison with the actual situation shows that all four developed land use scenarios can improve the situation from both the perspective of flood prevention as well as of nature conservation. In practice, the presented method can be a valuable interdisciplinary decision support for decision-makers and landscape planners.

Policy theme(s)

Biodiversity >> Habitats >> Habitat management
Land use >> Planning
Natural hazards >> Flooding
Water >> Flooding

Keywords

Hydrological modelling; Expert system; Runoff generation; Conservation assessment; Landscape metrics; Conservation guidelines

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

View this study at:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169204611002325
There is a fee to view this study in full    

Contact the study author at:

elke.richert@ioez.tu-freiberg.de

Title

Flash flood forecasting, warning and risk management: the HYDRATE project

Reference

Environmental Science & Policy
Volume 14, Issue 7, November 2011, Pages 834-844

Author(s)

M. Bora E.N. Anagnostou, G. Blöschl, J.-D. Creutin

Study type

Peer Review Journal 

Abstract

The management of flash flood hazards and risks is a critical component of public safety and quality of life. Flash-floods develop at space and time scales that conventional observation systems are not able to monitor for rainfall and river discharge. Consequently, the atmospheric and hydrological generating mechanisms of flash-floods are poorly understood, leading to highly uncertain forecasts of these events. The objective of the HYDRATE project has been to improve the scientific basis of flash flood forecasting by advancing and harmonising a European-wide innovative flash flood observation strategy and developing a coherent set of technologies and tools for effective early warning systems. To this end, the project included actions on the organization of the existing flash flood data patrimony across Europe. The final aim of HYDRATE was to enhance the capability of flash flood forecasting in ungauged basins by exploiting the extended availability of flash flood data and the improved process understanding. This paper provides a review of the work conducted in HYDRATE with a special emphasis on how this body of research can contribute to guide the policy-life cycle concerning flash flood risk management.

Policy theme(s)

Climate change and energy >> Climate change adaptation >> Flooding and water management
Natural hazards >> Flooding

Risk assessment >> Risk assessment methodologies     
Water >> Flooding

Keywords

Flash flood; Flood risk; Flood forecasting; Climate change

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

View this study at:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1462901111000943
There is a fee to view this study in full

Contact the study author at:

marco.borga@unipd.it

Title

Mapping the impacts of natural hazards and technological accidents in Europe

Reference

EEA Technical report No 13/2010

Author(s)

EEA

Study type

Report

Abstract

The report assesses the occurrence and impacts of disasters and the underlying hazards such as storms, extreme temperature events, forest fires, water scarcity and droughts, floods, snow avalanches, landslides, earthquakes, volcanoes and technological accidents in Europe for the period 1998-2009.

Policy theme(s)

Natural hazards >> Climatic hazards
Natural hazards >> Flooding
Natural hazards >> Geological hazards
Natural hazards >> Wildfires

Keywords

Natural hazards, Disasters

Entry Source:

N/A

Referred to in EC doc:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

View this study at:

http://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/mapping-the-impacts-of-natural/at_download/file
This study is free to view

Contact the study author at:

N/A