Floods cause disasters, but they can also be beneficial. Whenever a river overflows its banks, it dumps sand, silt and debris that it has carried downstream onto the surrounding land. After the flood waters move away, the soil is more fertile, because of the organic matter and minerals in this material. Flooding is a natural part of every river. Flooding creates the floodplains and wetlands that are vital components of a healthy river ecosystem.
Floods are completely natural events and many species rely on them for some aspect of their life cycle. Lots of plants and insects use floodwater to move from one location to another. Seeds disperse in floodwater allowing plants to spread and some floodplain invertebrates need large scale ‘sheet’ flooding to colonise new areas. Over the next few weeks teal and snipe will be exploring and feeding in the areas of splash flooding left behind.
Stopping floods can also hurt plants and animals that depend on flood waters. When a river floods, it brings water and soil to the nearby flat lands.This helps the plants and animals. The Amazon River in Brazil often overflows. The flood water goes into the rainforest. This helps rainforest plants and animals. If a dam were built to stop the flood, it would change life in the rain forest.
Stopping floods can also hurt plants and animals that depend on flood waters. When a river floods, it brings water and soil to the nearby flat lands.This helps the plants and animals. The Amazon River in Brazil often overflows. The flood water goes into the rainforest. This helps rainforest plants and animals. If a dam were built to stop the flood, it would change life in the rain forest.