Background Working with Natural Processes (WWNP) to reduce flood and coastal erosion risk (FCRM) involves implementing measures that help to protect, restore and emulate the natural functions of catchments, floodplains, rivers and the coast. WWNP takes many different forms and can be applied in urban and rural areas, and on rivers, estuaries and coasts.

Rivers and floodplain management:

· River restoration

· Floodplain restoration

· Leaky barriers

· Offline storage areas

Woodland management:

· Catchment woodlands

· Floodplains woodlands

· Riparian woodlands

· Cross-slope woodlands

Run-off management

· Soil and land management

· Headwater drainage

· Run-off pathway

Coast and estuary management

· Saltmarsh and mudflats

· Sand dunes

· Beach nourishment

Why was the study needed?

There has been much research on WWNP, but it has never been synthesised into one location. This has meant that it has been hard for flood risk managers to access up-to-date information on WWNP measures and to understand their potential benefits.

Click here to access this site and a series of different reports