(R) Soft engineering

Question 1

afforestation

Answer 1

• trees are planted, causing more interception
• water takes longer to reach river
• looks attractive
• wildlife habitats
• low cost
• land can’t be used for other things
• takes years to grow

Question 2

removal of vegetation from banks

Answer 2

• (dead) trees/vegetation removed
• stops the river/bridges being blocked
• water flows unobstructed
• low cost
• removes wildlife’s homes
• decreases interception
• has to be maintained

Question 3

floodplain zoning

Answer 3

• more important areas further away from the river
• recreational land (parks) closer to river
• floods are less costly
• impact of flooding reduced, parks have permeable surfaces
• expansion of urban areas limited
• doesn’t work if buildings are already there

Question 4

flood warning system

Answer 4

• warns people in advance so they can prepare/evacuate
• rivers are closely watched
• allows people to prepare
• reduces risk to life/impact of floods
• not always enough time to warn people
• doesn’t stop flooding
• people may miss warnings

Question 5

washlands

Answer 5

-land is allowed to flood

• stops other land from flooding/safe place for flood water to go
• inexpensive
• natural environment

-floodplain can’t be used for anything else

Question 6

do nothing

Answer 6

-flooding is allowed to happen

• cheap
• eroded material depsosited on fields makes them fertile
• damage is expensive
• risk and impact not reduced

Question 7

sandbags/self help

Answer 7

• people take precautions
• such as no carpets downstairs, raised doors
• cheap
• people worry less
• impact of floods reduced
• people have to pay for it themselves
• doesn’t guarentee safety
• false sense of security