A new study conducted by the University of Salford suggests that 90% of floodplains in England have changed so much that they no longer work properly.
The research, Changing face of floodplains, highlights that semi-natural woodland and rough grassland together now only occupy 6% of all floodplain area. Wetland communities which include fen, marsh and swamp, haven been reduced to less than half of the total floodplain area.
The result of this is water flow moving across floodplains and more quickly reaching towns and villages, leaving homes and business at more risk of flooding. With floods already becoming more likely due to climate change this is a dangerous and ever worsening situation.
It is thought over five million people are at risk of flooding in the UK, with more than 6, 000 homes affected by flooding caused by Storm Desmond in 2015.
George Heritage of Salford University said:
"It would be almost impossible to return the altered areas to their original state, but it is possible to work with farmers to introduce features that would allow them to function better."
Co-op Insurance has launched a tool kit in response to the university's findings. It comprises three stages to help manage flooding, which are:
