Soils and Flooding Worskhop

Background

Flooding poses an increasing challenge across the UK, exacerbated by climate change and land management practices. Soils play a crucial but often overlooked role in flood resilience and water regulation.

Can improved soil management reduce surface runoff, enhance water retention, and minimise erosion? Do decision-makers have the necessary scientific insights to incorporate soil nature-based solutions (NBS) into flood adaptation strategies?

This workshop focuses on the science and applied expert knowledge surrounding soils and flooding with our panel of experts:

• Dr Richard Smith, Environment Agency
• David Robinson, UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology
• Prof. John Boardman, University of Oxford
• Alejandro Dussaillant, UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology

Discussion points will include:

• How soil type and management influence soil properties and susceptibility to flooding.
• Strategies (including nature-based solutions) that can help reduce or mitigate flooding and flood risk.
• Relevant policy and funding available.
• Policy gaps both in practice and thinking.
• Link between policymakers and private sector stakeholders.
• Building evidence to support investment in soil-based solutions.

There will guided discussion and a Q&A session, all of which will be captured in the output.

Outputs

The session will be recorded and presented on the LUNZ website together with a workshop report outlining the key findings, discussions, key questions, and next steps.