River Tisza upstream from Nagykörű, Photo credit: Dr. Szilvia Ádám
Periodical flood enhances the biomass production, increases the carbon sequestration, and reduces the level of the overall greenhouse gas emissions
In celebration of World Wetlands Day, the nature conservation organization WWF Central and Eastern Europe releases pilot research revealing the critical role of floodplain restoration in combating climate change. The findings show that restoring former floodplains through the release of floods, natural water retention measures and adapted land use could transform landscapes from greenhouse gas emitters into sinks. With over 90% of Europe’s original floodplains altered or degraded, the findings underscore the need for nature-based solutions to meet EU climate targets and address biodiversity loss.
Unprecedented in scope and detail for the region, the study demonstrates the significant benefits of floodplain restoration not only for carbon sequestration but also considering other two main greenhouse gases, nitrous oxide, and methane. Broadening the scope beyond the commonly studied CO2 is essential, as landscapes can either emit or sink these two gases, depending on field conditions related to land use.
Focusing on the Tisza River in Hungary, the research reveals several critical insights into how floodplain restoration can reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Periodic flooding was shown to enhance biomass production both above and below the soil, significantly boosting carbon sequestration which offsets emissions of methane and nitrous oxide of the analysed ecosystems. By comparison, fertilized arable lands remain major emitters of greenhouse gas, primarily due to nitrous oxide, a gas with 300 times the warming potential of carbon dioxide over a 100-year timeframe.
Floodplains are a mosaic of diverse ecosystems, hosting a range of extensive land uses, such as hay meadows, pastures, orchards, forests, water bodies, and on the higher altitudes - arable lands. Balancing the diverse uses of these ecosystems with the challenges of climate change requires a well-thought sustainable approach. The pilot research provides evidence that if two-thirds of the analysed former deep floodplain is converted to extensive land use in harmony with controlled periodic flooding, the climate mitigation potential of the landscape would be significant. Periodic flooding enhances carbon sequestration, even during prolonged droughts caused by climate change.
Conducted as part of the Living Danube Partnership, the nearly three-year project (2022–2024) combined advanced biogeochemical modeling with field measurements and references to scientific literature. Unlike previous studies, this research incorporates data at local, regional, and landscape scales, offering a scalable framework for future restoration efforts.
“This unique study offers a new way of thinking about our floodplains,” said Dr. Szilvia Ádám, project coordinator at WWF Central and Eastern Europe. “Floodplain restoration provides a pathway to address biodiversity loss and meet climate targets simultaneously. These dynamic natural systems can regulate climate and provide vital ecosystem services when allowed to function naturally.”
The findings support the European Green Deal’s goals for promoting sustainable land use practices and directly contribute to the EU’s LULUCF (Land Use, Land Use Change, and Forestry) climate commitments, which aim to enhance carbon sequestration, reduce greenhouse gas emissions from land-use activities, and achieve climate neutrality by 2050.
Restored floodplains also act as natural buffers against climate extremes, mitigating droughts and heatwaves through improved water retention and soil stabilization. They create habitats that boost biodiversity and provide critical lessons for restoration efforts across Europe. Scaling up floodplain restoration could deliver significant environmental and climate benefits across the continent.
NOTES TO EDITORS
Contact: For further information, please contact Mihaela Popova, Regional Communications Manager, WWF-Central and Eastern Europe, mpopova@wwfcee.org
Executive Summary and Resources: The executive summary of the research is available here.
About the research team: The pilot research was carried out by an expert board, formed by the representatives of research institutes and universities in the field of climate, soil, meteorology, modelling, plant physiology, GIS, in contribution of many additional experts, farmers.
Research Reference: Koncz, P.; Hidy, D.; Tóth, E.; Dencső, M.; Czóbel, Sz.; Farkas, M.; Malatinszky, Á.; Rigó, A.; Ádám, Sz. (2025): Greenhouse gas balance of floodplain restoration along the River Tisza in Hungary – report of pilot research coordinated by WWF-CEE, founded by the Living Danube Partnership.
