Renaturalizing Floodplains

Abstract

This manuscript analyzes and discusses viewpoints concerning the renaturalization of floodplains as an instrument of management in large catchments, using natural flood defense schemes. Schemes consider the differentiated supply of ecosystemic services based on river channel/floodplain interactions. Conventional structural methods used to prevent flooding (e.g., longitudinal dikes) are increasingly showing themselves to be less efficient with regard to advances in the problems of environmental management of the territory, especially when combined with extreme events, where the importance of perfecting strategies for harmonizing duly controlled floodable areas and water retention can be seen. Natural flood risk reduction measures are part of a holistic solution for sustainable management of flood risk, conservation of nature, water quality and green economy. They rely upon the inherent ability of floodplains to retain water in the basin, and this can delay and reduce peak flows.

Technical contributions to territorial planning and the use of ecosystemic services in a hydrographic basin with a water deficit in the Atlantic Rainforest of Brazil

“…This volume of water entering the subsystems of the slopes and the floodplains, if managed according to conservationist techniques and/or reinforced through measures for the renaturation of water functions, can produce benefits for water regulation in the areas located downriver which present a water deficit. This effect also reduces flooding and its consequences in both urban and rural spaces (Baptista and Valcarcel, 2018). The ecosystemic services for water regularization observed in the 7467 floodplains (241.91 km 2 ), which represents 6.58% of the basin´s total area, affect the recharge and discharge.…”

“…Among the relevant hydrological ecosystemic services are water regularization, lamination of flooding and amplification of the minimum flows during dry periods (Baptista et al, 2017). The conservation of wet areas in the floodplains is considered to be more efficient from the hydrological point of view, and more economical than the construction of large reservoirs (Baptista and Valcarcel, 2018) when the principles of sustainable development prevail.…”

Crescimento de guanandi em sistemas agroflorestais e em plantio homogêneo em planície inundável

“…Em áreas úmidas do Vale do Paraíba, entre os estados de São Paulo e Rio de Janeiro, a crescente ocupação do solo degrada as planícies de inundação e matas ciliares (Bittencourt & Batista, 2009;Coelho et al, 2011;D'Orazio & Catharino, 2013;Del-Rio et al, 2015). A renaturalização dessa paisagem, por meio da revegetação, pode auxiliar em reforço à laminação das cheias, evitando-se inundações em áreas ocupadas do entorno (Baptista & Valcarcel, 2018). Entretanto, o plantio homogêneo de guanandi nesse compartimento da bacia hidrográfica é menos atrativo sob o ponto de vista econômico e social, pois as árvores levam muitos anos até o estádio de corte.…”