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3.2.2 Loss of lateral connectivity (flood protection and drainage on floodplains)

Overview

Wetlands and floodplains play a particularly important role in the ecological integrity of aquatic ecosystems. By providing habitats for life stages of aquatic organisms, they are significant in ensuring or achieving the good ecological status of adjacent water bodies. Wetlands and floodplains also play a significant role in flood retention (EEA, 2018).

Studies have shown however that 70-90 % of European floodplains have been environmentally degraded as a result of structural flood protection, river straightening, disconnection of floodplain wetlands, agricultural land use and urbanisation over the past two centuries. The largest pressures on floodplains are linked to hydromorphological pressures, land use and pollution (EEA, 2019).