ECOFLOOD: Towards natural flood reduction strategies

THE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF ECOFLOOD PROJECT:

The long-term objective of ECOFLOOD project is to stimulate creation of floodplains that protect the environment against floods and provide opportunities for restoration and development of highly valuable habitats at the same time. ECOFLOOD contributes to this long-term objective by means of a comprehensive manual, being the main deliverable of a scientific conference, a stakeholder workshop and a so-called thinktank meeting.

EcoFlood contributes to this long-term objective by compiling comprehensive guidelines for creation of natural flood defenses based on the present information.

The guidelines will contain:

• scientific knowledge on wet and terrestrial floodplain ecosystems
  
• practical problems that obstruct stakeholders in creating natural flood defenses scientific gaps and
  
• insecurities.
  

Gathering this information is the main deliverable of a scientific conference, a stakeholder workshop and a thinktank meeting. The various relevant research fields will be integrated in the Ecoflood project.

EcoFlood contributes to this long-term objective by compiling comprehensive guidelines for creation of natural flood defences based on the present information.

Main activities:

The EcoFlood project consists of the following main activities:

• Scientific Conference 'EcoFlood: Towards natural flood reduction strategies' (September 2003)
  
• Stakeholder workshop Practical constraints and opportunities (January 2004)
  
• Thinktank meeting (June 2004)
  
• Elaboration of Guidelines for constructing natural flood defences (end of 2004)
  
• Communication and dissemination of results (during the entire project period)
  

ECOFLOOD Project results:

• EcoFlood conference:
  The conference was organised by Warsaw Agricultural University and The Institute for Land Reclamation and Grassland Farming (IMUZ). During May and June the consortium assisted in the review of abstracts. Some 120 professionals from 19 European countries participated in the conference. The topics discussed were:
  
  • Hydrological efficiency
    
  • Biogeochemistry of floodplains
    
  • Ecological response
    
  • Reference areas & processes
    
  • Socio-economic opportunities & constraints
    
  • Valuation of natural flood defences
    
  Many aspects of flood control in river valleys were discussed. Two excursions were part of the programme: one to the valley of Vistula River and the other to Biebrza and Narew Rivers.