Floodplain Forest Restoration as a Nature-Based Solution to Create Climate-Resilient Communities in European Lowland Estuaries

Anthropogenic impact has largely altered the estuarine environment. Today, Nature-based solutions (NbS) are required to respond challenges such as flooding that affect both human population and ecosystems. Estuarine ecosystems saltmarshes floodplain forests provide valuable services, wetland restoration for flood control is suggested. Recently, flow velocities attenuating effects of juvenile willows wave attenuation through White willow trees under extreme conditions have been found. Services in seemed promising. However, large woods do not bend may cause turbulence. On contrary, complex flexible woody vegetation bends response currents reduces velocities, thereby inducing lower turbulence, but knowledge diversity structure tidal (TWFF) lacking. Thus, first, an observational study on occurrence TWFF European estuaries along North Sea was carried out. Based findings aerial images, only small fragments were confirmed field Elbe, Ems, Dutch delta, Scheldt estuary. these analyses management plans, planned, implemented, studied, including a long-term at Elbe estuary upstream stretch. The results efforts provided, (2012–2022) restored estuary, which could serve pilot adapting communities climate change via NbS.