Maßnahmen zur Erhöhung des Wasserrückhalts in der Landschaft

Due to climate change, water retention in the landscape or the retardation of surface runoff and near-surface runoff is becoming increasingly relevant in addition to flood protection. There are many different measures that can improve the landscape water balance or strengthen the resilience of landscapes to extreme events such as droughts and floods. Within the WADKlim project commissioned by the German EPA the authors have compiled a catalogue of 69 measures based on a literature review. These measures originate from good practice in water management, agriculture and forestry in Germany and should be promoted by environmental management and planning. The measures were evaluated by experts in their field regarding their local effects and required implementation-relevant context conditions. Subsequently, the assessments were reviewed bilaterally and in technical workshops. The following measures were rated as particularly recommendable, as they have positive effects on drought and flooding as well as being cost-effective: Adapted selection of crops and crop rotation for better water retention, cultivation of land parallel to the slope, reactivation of inland catchment areas, creation of buffer strips/field margins, closure or regulation of drainages or drainage ditches, no further soil sealing, construction of sediment retention ponds.