The role that trees can play in cutting the risk of flooding is to be investigated in a new Defra funded study announced this week.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs will be using the study and pilot projects to investigate how planting trees and other measures might cut the risk of flooding and slow coastal erosion around the UK.

The projects will also consider the contribution farm land can make in reducing flood risk as well as how communities can better adapt to the pressures of coastal erosion.

Announcing the six pilots, Minister for Climate Change and Environment Ian Pearson said: "We can't hide from the consequences of climate change. When we consider the possibility of higher sea levels and storms of greater intensity we have to start thinking differently about how to deal with flooding and coastal erosion - this means adapting to the consequences now and developing greater resilience.”

"Climate change will ratchet up the threats faced by communities, which is why we need to investigate new and different responses to dealing with flooding and coastal erosion.”

The six pilot studies will consider:

• Farming floodplains
• Sustainable coastal land management
• Restoring floodplain woodland for flood alleviation
• Slapton Coastal Zone Adaptation Plan - Liaison with local communities for adapting in response to coastal erosion which will affect transport links, environmental and heritage assets and the local economy.
• Long-term initiatives for flood risk environments - guidance on planning and designing sustainable housing and communities in flood plain areas.
• Development of an educational tool for sustainable shoreline management.