Editing Flood (section)

== Positive impacts (benefits) ==
Floods (in particular more frequent or smaller floods) can also bring many benefits, such as recharging [[ground water]], making soil more [[Fertility (soil)|fertile]] and increasing [[nutrient]]s in some soils. For this reason, periodic flooding was essential to the well-being of ancient peoples along the [[Tigris-Euphrates]] Rivers, the [[Nile River]], the [[Indus River]], the [[Ganges]] and the [[Yellow River]] among others.

Flood waters provide much needed water resources in [[arid]] and [[semi-arid]] regions where precipitation can be very unevenly distributed throughout the year and kills pests in the farming land. Freshwater floods particularly play an important role in maintaining [[ecosystem]]s in river corridors and are a key factor in maintaining floodplain [[biodiversity]].<ref>WMO/GWP Associated Programme on Flood Management, [http://www.apfm.info/publications/policy/ifm_env_aspects/Environmental_Aspects_of_IFM_En.pdf "Environmental Aspects of Integrated Flood Management"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713081046/http://www.apfm.info/publications/policy/ifm_env_aspects/Environmental_Aspects_of_IFM_En.pdf |date=2015-07-13 }}, 2007</ref> Flooding can spread nutrients to lakes and rivers, which can lead to increased [[biomass]] and improved [[fisheries]] for a few years.

For some fish species, an inundated floodplain may form a highly suitable location for [[spawning]], with few predators and enhanced levels of nutrients or food.<ref>[http://kops.ub.uni-konstanz.de/volltexte/2009/7515/pdf/2008_Wantzen_etal_An_extension_of_the_floodpulse.pdf Extension of the Flood Pulse Concept]{{Dead link|date=August 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, Retrieved on 2012-06-12</ref> Fish such as the [[weather fish]] use floods to reach new habitats. Bird populations may also profit from the boost in food production caused by flooding.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20110209093150/http://africa.ipsterraviva.net/2010/10/15/birdlife-soars-above-botswanas-floodplains/ Birdlife soars above Botswana's floodplains]}} (2010-10-15), Retrieved on 2012-06-12</ref>

The viability of [[hydropower]], a renewable source of energy, is also higher in flood-prone regions.