Dramatic aerial photo shows importance of floodplain to people and wildlife - BBOWT

BBOWT welcomes new Countryside Stewardship payments to farmers.

A DRAMATIC aerial photo of hundreds of acres of farmland and countryside in flood shows how the Thames floodplain can store water to help people and wildlife, and tackle the effects of climate change.

The picture, taken by BBOWT supporter Rob Sadler on Sunday, shows land in West Oxfordshire inundated by recent floods, including the Trust's 760-acre Chimney Meadows Nature Reserve.

The fields flood after heavy rain as they have done for centuries: this benefits a wide range of wildlife such as wetland birds, but also helps people by slowing and storing flood water that could otherwise cause more damage to villages, towns and cities downstream.

BBOWT, which manages the nature reserve and works with neighbouring landowners, says the image shows the vital importance of floodplains for wildlife and people.

However, managing land on a floodplain is challenging, with climate change making it more so. Farmers are among the many people badly affected by flooding, losing crops and having to move livestock to dry land, as many have recently. The good news is that the Government is increasing payments to landowners to manage their land in ways that are beneficial to the environment and helping maintain the viability of farm businesses.