Science Source

Flood risks and environmental vulnerability — Exploring the synergies between floodplain restoration, water policies and thematic policies

Provides an overview of significant floods in Europe and looks at the role of floodplains in flood protection, water management and nature conservation
States that in Europe, up to 90% of floodplains have been lost during the past centuries or are no longer able to serve as functioning natural ecosystems providing flood risk reduction and habitats favouring a high biodiversity
Draws upon information published in the European flood impact database which covers floods reported between 1980 and 2010
Highlights the benefits of an integrated approach to flood risk management
Finds that between 1980 and 2010, 37 European countries registered 3,563 floods in total; the highest number of floods was reported for 2010 (321 floods), when 27 countries were affected; this number is associated with the 'Central European floods', which occurred across several Central European countries during May and June 2010
Maps the share of population living in floodplain areas: among those countries, Italy has the largest population living in flood-prone areas (6.7 million people, 11% of the population) whereas Hungary has the highest relative share of people living in such areas (1.8 million, 18% of the population)
Expects annual flood losses to increase fivefold by 2050 and up to 17 fold by 2080
Estimates the major share of this increase (70–90%) to be attributable to socio economic development as the economic value of the assets in floodplains increases, and the remainder (10–30%) to climate change