E
cosystem
servicesdelivered
Provisioning
Regulation & maintenance
Cultural
Abiotic
C
ontribution
topolicyobjectives
Water Framework Directive
Floods Directive
Birds & Habitats Directive
2020 Biodiversity Strategy
P
otential
biophysicaleffects
Runoff
Reducing pollution
Soil conservation
Habitat
Climate Change
High
Low
Medium
None
Stream bed
re-naturalisation has the potential to
reduce flood risk
. By diversifying the channel width and water depth, it can increase the water storage capacity of the river.
By diversifying river flow velocity, it contributes to slowing down flows and
controlling erosion
and sedimentation.
Restoring the natural design of the bed, banks and river flow helps to
intercept pollutant
pathways through sedimentation, filtration by vegetation and the creation of islands.
Therefore, stream bed re-naturalisation contributes to improving the status of physico-chemical and hydromorphology quality elements.
Diversifying flows, water depth and channel width contributes to improving the diversity of
habitats
offered by the river and to creating new habitats. Stream bed re-natura-
lisation also fosters the development of riparian habitats on river banks. This leads to enhanced natural biomass production and helps to create and preserve
biodiversity
.
Stream bed re-naturalisation contributes to better management of fish stocks, and helps to improve the status of biology quality elements and prevent surface water deterioration.
Stream bed re-naturalisation can provide recreational opportunities
(through the diversification of the activities offered by the river) and aesthetic value.
