Senckenberg hosts seminar on natural flood mitigation and floodplain restoration
The Senckenberg Research Institute in Frankfurt addresses the role of floodplain restoration in flood management and environmental health on February 26.
On February 26, 2025, the Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum in Frankfurt will host a lecture as part of its ongoing series, "Wir können auch anders" (We can do differently). The session features Professor Sonja Jähnig, who will discuss the ecological and economic benefits of restoring natural river floodplains.
Currently, only 32 percent of original floodplain areas remain in Germany, with the remainder having been disconnected by dikes for agriculture, housing, and infrastructure. Researchers argue that re-establishing these zones is a viable strategy for flood protection, as well as for carbon sequestration, water filtration, and the support of biodiversity.
Despite the clear ecological advantages, the transition to natural flood management remains hampered by complex administrative and legal frameworks. The lecture aims to examine how policy shifts might allow for better preparedness against extreme weather events by integrating natural systems into landscape planning.
This event is part of a thirteen-part series concluding in March 2025, focusing on nature-based solutions for contemporary environmental and societal challenges.