Floodplains deliver a disproportionately large amount of natural capital when compared to their relative land coverage. In England, they cover approximately 5 percent of the land area, yet deliver ecosystem services including agricultural productivity, flood-alleviation, carbon storage, and nutrient cycling. Therefore, the sustainable management of these areas offers a good return on investment. The review of scientific literature has shown that semi-natural floodplain habitats are a vitally important component of the UK's natural capital. They provide a wider range of goods and services than intensive arable/horticultural crops.
This report reviews the existing evidence, develops a matrix to inform land-use choices, and then distills the key information into a briefing document. It includes information on land management trade-offs on floodplains to deliver multiple benefits, along with three case studies to illustrate how different approaches to assessing natural capital can be used.