Water and forest management in response to climate change

(ForestClim)Dr Richard Johnson, Mountain Environments, UK

ForestClim Lead Partner: Germany: Research Institute

of Forest Ecology and Forestry Partner countries: Germany, France,

Luxembourg, UK, Netherlands Start: January 2008 Duration: 5 years

Overall objective Development of transnational forest

management strategies Taking into account predicted climate

change scenarios European forests: economics, protection,

environmental benefits and recreation

Areas of research Regionalisation of climate change scenarios Response of forests to climate change –

spatial shifts, risks (fire, disease etc), water regimes, ecology, economic consequences

Water management – water retention in forests, mitigation of flash floods, enhancement of low flows

Stakeholder involvement – oversee for the implementation of the management strategies.

Water management Runoff control to buffer intense rainstorm

and rapid snow melt to reduce the risk of flash floods in upland catchments

Groundwater recharge to sustain low flows and reduce the impacts of droughts of water supplies and aquatic ecology

Control of soil erosion to improve water quality and reduce the risk of river and reservoir siltation

Mitigation of flood risk River basin approach Flood generation processes Runoff rates in upland catchments River flow restoration Land management changes in priority zones Role of forests

Land management Restoration of native woodlands – in upper

catchments and along river banks Restoration of natural drainage – forest and

agricultural drainage, river meander restoration

Restoration of wetlands – upland and floodplain wetlands to increase the storage and buffering of flood flows

Retention of water to reduce flood flows and sustain low flows

Potential benefits Flood risk management Drought risk management Ecology and recreation Water resources – benefits to water

supplies, hydropower, river ecology, river erosion by reducing runoff rates and modifying the flow regimes

Future needs Take a drainage basin approach – Water

Framework Directive Integration of land management practices Technical details for selecting priority areas

and quantifying the effects Cooperation between national, regional or

administration areas Consider all water resources aspects Involve communities and other stakeholders Long term funding and support

River basin managementReduce risks and improve water resources