Management strategies

Question 1

Hard engineering

Answer 1

Typically uses human engineering strategies to try to control natural processes, rather than to work with them.

Question 2

Soft engineering

Answer 2

These approaches seek to work with the natural processes to manage rivers and drainage basins.

Question 3

Why are sustainable and environmentally sensitive methods necessary?

Answer 3

1. Due to limitations of channelisation as a flood control strategy - can lead to flooding downstream.
2. To retire natural rivers and increase habitat diversity - channelisation reduces habitat diversity within the channel and across the floodplain
3. Due to the increased threat of flooding resulting from climate change.