Flood impacts are causing problematic ripple effects on the environment

Rising flood risks are not only threatening buildings and infrastructure but also impacting wildlife and ecosystems. We look at the wider impact this has on communities, businesses and industry.   

Climate change is driving an array of shifts in weather patterns, including increasing frequency and severity of storms and rainfall, heightening the risk of flooding. Urbanisation is further exacerbating this issue, with more impermeable surfaces meaning less of this excess water can infiltrate into the ground. This type of flood event is known as surface water flooding, or flash flooding, and accounts for more than half of the UK’s flood risk and this is only expected to increase in the coming years. 

In addition to effects on humans, flooding also has a significant impact on the environment and local wildlife. Habitats can be damaged or destroyed, leaving many animals displaced, and ecosystems can be disrupted to a point beyond their normal disturbance threshold, meaning that the changes may be irreversible. This can lead to an invasion of pests into properties or in drainage systems, as a result of being displaced or losing their habitat. This puts additional pressure on property owners and businesses to resolve after being hit by flooding.  

Flood events also cause higher rates of soil erosion. Displaced soil and organic matter can release stored carbon into the atmosphere, intensifying climate change and its impacts. Soil erosion can also substantially disrupt agricultural practices, which is problematic for the UK farming industry.  

Flooding is often accompanied by pollutants entering watercourses, for example a Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) – a consequence of overwhelmed drainage system after heavy rainfall. This can have harmful effects on wildlife and humans alike.  

This highlights the importance of preparing for flooding to mitigate impacts and losses and, in some cases, even preventing flood events altogether. This is most effectively done with the use and implementation of flood forecasts and flood action plans. For example, Whalley’s local Flood Action Group have successfully used on-site sensor data so that flood wardens could promptly clear the trash screen that lies within the River Calder watercourse. This not only helps protect the local community, but also the resident wildlife.