Upland Woodland Creation Could Reduce Flood Peaks by Over 5%

A University of Leeds and Woodland Trust collaboration has revealed major natural flood management benefits at catchment scale from upland woodland creation.

Creating new woodland in upland areas can significantly reduce the severity of downstream flooding, according to new research led by the University of Leeds in partnership with the Woodland Trust.

The study, published in Ecological Solutions and Evidence, used advanced hydrological modelling to assess the flood-mitigation potential of a major woodland creation project in the Snaizeholme valley in the Yorkshire Dales. Researchers found that the Woodland Trust’s new native woodland will reduce peak river flows during major storm events by around 5%, offering substantial protection to communities downstream.

To understand the economic value of these benefits, the team estimated the financial value of the flood mitigation by calculating how much it would cost to deliver the same level of protection through hard-engineering solutions such as reservoirs and flood storage structures. Based on these engineering comparisons, the woodland’s natural flood management service was valued at £2 million, equivalent to more than £12,000 per hectare—a figure comparable to the value of carbon sequestered by mature upland woodland.

Dr Dominick Spracklen, Professor of Biosphere–Atmosphere Interactions in the School of Earth and Environment and senior author on the study, said:

“When heavy rain falls in upland areas, the water moves rapidly into rivers and can contribute to damaging floods many miles downstream. By restoring woodlands in these upland catchments, we can slow the flow, store more water in the landscape, and reduce risks for communities downstream. Our work shows woodland creation in the uplands can meaningfully reduce downstream flood risk, even during large storm events.”

The Snaizeholme valley, owned by the Woodland Trust, offers a unique opportunity for large-scale habitat restoration and for studying the benefits. The Trust plans to establish a mosaic of native woodland, upland bog, grassland and riparian habitats designed not only to benefit wildlife and store carbon, but also to help slow and store water during heavy rainfall.

Dr John Crawford, Senior Conservation Evidence Officer at the Woodland Trust and co-author on the study, said:

“This work shows how science and practice can come together to design woodland that delivers for nature, climate and people. Understanding the likely flood benefits at the design stage helps us target planting in the right places and communicate clearly with local communities about the benefits new woodlands can provide.”

The findings highlight the importance of woodland creation in upland catchments, which in the UK are often largely treeless. Restoring and creating woodlands in some upland catchments could be an important way to help reduce downstream flooding and protect at risk communities.

The study also underscores the value of long-term collaboration between researchers and land managers, demonstrating how research can support practical woodland design and planning.

The Woodland Trust is also planning a range of flood mitigation interventions at Snaizeholme—such as leaky dams and peatland restoration—which may further reduce flood risk beyond the impact of tree planting alone.