BP6 - Increase infiltration and/or groundwater recharge

A polder is a low-lying tract of land enclosed by embankments (known as dikes) whose altitude is usually below sea level. It forms an artificial hydrological entity, meaning it has no connection with outside water other than through manually operated devices. The re-naturalisation, or depoldering, of polders involves enhancing their sub-natural characteristics to allow better water storage in watercourses inside the polder and increase...

A mulch is a layer of material applied to the surface of the soil and its purpose is to conserve moisture, improve the fertility and health of the soil, reduce weed growth, and enhance the visual appeal of the area.

It is...

Peak flow control structures are interventions designed to manage and reduce the velocity of surface water flow in forested and upland catchments. These 'sponge measures' aim to reduce flow velocity, temporarily store runoff and promote infiltration. This mitigates flood peaks, controls sediment transport and improves water quality. They comprise a variety of engineered...

Sediment capture ponds are engineered ponds placed in networks of forest ditches to slow the velocity of water and cause the deposition of suspended materials. Sediment capture ponds are most useful for managing the effects of ditch construction and maintenance, road work and final feeling. While used primarily in forests, sediment capture ponds may be a useful temporary measure for preserving water quality in and around construction sites or...

Continuous cover forestry is a forest management approach that maintains a continuous canopy during the regeneration phase, avoiding clearcutting in favour of selective harvesting or small-scale clearing. The main idea behind continuous cover forestry is a reduction in the number or size of clear-cuts. Some definitions of continuous cover forestry state that no clear-cuts shall be larger than 0.25...

Trees in urban areas deliver multiple benefits, including improved aesthetics, microclimate regulation, and enhanced urban hydrology. They also serve as crucial biodiversity refuges and contribute significantly to reducing particulate air pollution. Trees intercept precipitation, reducing the volumeof rainfall that needs to be processed by sewers systems and other...

Healthy forest soils, with their dense root systems and porous organic top layers, play an important role in water infiltration and retention. To maintain these hydrological functions, forest managers should strive to maintain permanent vegetation cover, reduce soil compaction and increase surface roughness, which facilitates water absorption. As highlighted in A11 Controlled Traffic...

Headwater catchments are the source areas of rivers and streams and are critical for maintaining the structure, function, productivity and complexity of downstream ecosystems. They are vital to hydrologic cycle as they are one of the main areas where precipitation contributes to surface and groundwater. Headwaters are typically...

Urban forest parks can deliver a broad range of hydrology-related and other ecosystem services. Forests in urban areas have great amenity value, can improve air quality, moderate local microclimates, improve urban biodiversity and contribute to climate change mitigation as well as having ancillary hydrological benefits. Forest soils often have greater infiltration capacity than other urban...

Beaver mimicry structures (BMS), also known as beaver dam analogues (BDAs), are in-stream structures designed to replicate the function of natural beaver dams. These simple, low-tech installations slow streamflow, increase groundwater recharge, favour water diversion in two or more arms, and create wetlands and alluvial forest. By mimicking beaver behaviour, they support biodiversity, improve climate resilience, and help restore degraded...