Values influence public perceptions of flood management schemes

Natural Flood Management (NFM) is now well established as a paradigm for reducing flood risk. It is characterised by adopting a catchment-wide hydrological perspective and implementing solutions that work with natural processes such as wetlands, riparian vegetation and river channel rehabilitation. However, despite substantial attention in the river science literature and growing appreciation for NFM among environmental managers, little research has been conducted on how the public perceives NFM. This study explored preferences for a variety of flood risk management schemes through an online survey of the UK public, and assessed how different characteristics of these schemes contribute to preferences via Q-method utilising an array of photographs. Relationships between survey respondents' underlying transcendental values and their preferences for NFM schemes were also studied. Results revealed that while NFM approaches were appreciated for their appearance and wildlife benefits, traditional grey engineering - particularly dams - was seen as more effective in ameliorating flood risk. Q-sorts of photographs revealed three factors that characterised participants' preferences: (i) "Engineered - Natural", (ii) "Messy - Neat" and (iii) "Grey - Green". Finally, transcendental values were significantly related to flood scheme preferences, with 'Self-Transcendence' values positively correlated with preferences for tree planting and wetlands and negatively with dams and weirs. 'Conservative' values were positively correlated with preferences for dredging and weirs and negatively with wetlands. These findings emphasise the plurality of public perceptions related to NFM and the diverse value orientations within which they are grounded. River and catchment managers seeking to promote NFM solutions should focus on addressing public concerns about the efficacy of NFM for mitigating flood risk, and consider how to communicate solutions in ways that resonate with a diverse set of public values.