INTEGRATED LAND USE AND WATER MANAGEMENT

Abstract

ABSTRACTWater in parts of England is already under significant pressure. In a world of growing pressures from climate change, increasing population and concerns over energy and food security, the competing demands on land and water will only increase in the future.A combination of catchment flood management plans, and other catchment‐based planning, together with development of river basin management plans, have enabled good progress in advancing catchment‐scale management of land and water. However, successful protection of the environment, management of flood risk and diffuse pollution and ensuring security of water for use into the future depend on greater integration of all the activities involved in management of the land and water. An integrated planning framework looking to the longer term, providing comprehensive and cross‐cutting actions, is necessary to maximise environmental gains, protect ecosystems, and the services they provide to society.In particular, in low‐lying areas of England, the suite of land and water management and planning frameworks set out the long‐term delivery actions required to deliver sustainable flood risk management, and improvements to water quality and resources.These management frameworks are complemented by good land, soil and nutrient management to deliver an integrated catchment management approach resulting in multiple benefits for the environment and society, as well as ensuring that water and land are resilient to climate change and able to meet growing demands. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.