Lateral dispersal and displacement of fish during flood events in lowland river systems in the UK—implications for sustainable floodplain management: Ecohydrological Processes and Sustainable Floodplain Management

Abstract

During summer floods, significant numbers of juvenile and adult fish became stranded in the floodplains of English lowland rivers. These mortalities were only observed in areas where floodbanks or other features prevented fish returning to the river in receding floodwaters. These phenomena support the view that even in river systems that lost their floodplain functionality centuries ago, fish communities still retain the need and the ability to utilise floodplain habitats when they become available. The significance offish losses during flood events in managed lowland rivers is discussed in relation to ecological status, to climate change and to options for application of ecohydrological principles to flood risk management and floodplain rehabilitation.