Clever Canopies
As well as climate change, the ever-increasing development of land is undoubtedly adding to the cause of flooding in Wales and the UK. The construction of extensive factories, supermarkets and housing estates is responsible for increasing the runoff of rainfall in two ways. Firstly, by reducing areas of ground that are able to absorb rain water naturally and secondly, contrived methods of managing this excessive run off increases the rate that the water flows across the land surface.
It’s not only the extensive car parks, driveways and roadways that reduce areas that are able to absorb water and so create a swifter surface run off but also the huge areas of roofs!
Retaining ‘Green Seams’ is one method of alleviating this problem. Pieces of land that surround developed sites are left undeveloped to provide areas that are able to absorb rainfall naturally. These Green Seams also preserve wildlife habitats and create public recreation spaces for activities such as hiking and bird watching.
When rain falls on undeveloped ground the local eco-system handles the water with an experienced, unhurried finesse. Tree canopies slow the descent of raindrops and the soil absorbs and holds water until it evaporates or is transpired.
Unfortunately City architecture offers little in the way of retaining or facilitating natural absorption and management of water. This results in chaotic and damaging ‘run off’ or ‘flooding’.
Keeping a healthy tree canopy is a crucial element of successful development; as the raindrops are slowed, other flood management solutions are able to work more effectively.
It is such a shame that Nature’s project management skills are so often overlooked as trees also absorb and transpire water with extraordinary efficiency!
Did You Know?
In the same way that we produce water vapour when we breathe, plants do too. Instead of ‘breathing’, it’s known as ‘transpiration’.
A large oak tree will transpire over 40,000 gallons of water a year or up to 200 gallons on a hot day.
No Butts
Using water butts to collect rainwater from roofs is a step toward slowing the damage that excessive ‘run off’ water can cause and also an effective way of storing water for use in the garden. (And plants prefer it to tap water!) It’s not a new concept but have you got yours yet? Major DIY Stores stock a wide range of shapes and sizes as do most garden centres.
