RESTORATION OF FLOODPLAIN FORESTS IN BRITAIN

Floodplain forests have almost completely disappeared from Britain. Throughout the temperate regions of Europe and North America they have been greatly reduced and many of the remainder are threatened. River control has altered the natural flooding and disturbance regime. However, changes in agricultural requirements and attitudes to river management and the need to improve water quality have created an opportunity for restoring some more natural river dynamics and habitats. This paper presents a case for including managed and natural floodplain forests in river and floodplain restoration projects. Benefits would accrue for timber production, reduction of agricultural surpluses, nature conservation, fishing, water quality, river control and landscape quality. Limited practical experience of floodplain forest restoration in North America and continental Europe suggests that practical problems can be overcome.