Natural flood management measures address flood risk by protecting, restoring and emulating the natural regulating function of catchments and rivers. They help reduce flood risk by storing and slowing water, increasing flow connectivity, and increasing soil infiltration. NFM can provide environmentally sensitive approaches to minimising flood risk, to reduce flood risk in areas where hard flood defences are not feasible, and to increase the lifespan of existing flood defences.
Environment Agency graphic showing where different NFM measures are likely to fit best in the landscape
For more, see this NERC article on Managing flooding by working with nature
Useful links to find out more about NFM here.