Rain / stormwater gardens, bioretention cells
Rain gardens are small-scale vegetated gardens used for storage and infiltration. They are typically applied at a property level and close to buildings, for example to capture and infiltrate roof drainage. They use a range of components, typically incorporated into the garden landscape design as appropriate. Under the vegetation layer is a filter bed substrate located for absoption of infiltating water.
Additionally to flood risk reduction by slowing and storing surface runoff, the measure has medium or high possible benefits for the following biophysical impacts and ecosystem services: Increase evapotranspiration; Increase infiltration and/or groundwater recharge; Create terrestrial habitats; Biodiversity preservation; Climate change adaptation and mitigation; Filtration of pollutants; Recreational opportunities; Aesthetic/cultural value; Intercept pollution pathways; Reduce erosion and/or sediment delivery; Reduce peak temperature
Check out the RAINMAN good practice examples:
no good practice example available
READ MORE:
- Office International de l’Eau (2015): Natural Water Retention Measures, URL: http://nwrm.eu (19.03.2020): rain gardens
- Ewelina Siwiec, Anne Maren Erlandsen, Haakon Vennemo (2018): City greening by rain gardens - costs and benefits, in: iOS-PIB (ed.) Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, Vol. 29 No 1(75): 1-5, DOI 10.2478/oszn-2018-0001, URL: https://www.degruyter.com/downloadpdf/j/oszn.2018.29.issue-1/oszn-2018-0001/oszn-2018-0001.pdf
Sabine Scharfe, Saxon State Office for Environment, Agriculture and Geology
