Environmental impacts of lowland development techniques

The Directorate-General for Water, in collaboration with the Ministry responsible for Water, has drawn up a National Action Plan for Integrated Water Resources Management, which prioritises the understanding, monitoring and enhancement of aquatic ecosystems. These aquatic ecosystems include shallow waters, which are currently subject to widespread degradation despite their ecological and economic importance. The aim of this study is to propose measures for better protection, optimal utilisation and improved monitoring of floodplains through their management. Specifically, this study has made it possible to: - outline the main approaches for implementing a floodplain management project aimed at enhancing these areas with a view to protecting these complex environments; - highlight the environmental impacts of floodplains. At the conclusion of this study, the various techniques for managing low-lying areas and their environmental impacts were identified, so that any management measures can take these into account to ensure a healthy environment. To this must also be added the health and socio-economic impacts of such management measures.