Flodslätt

Flodslätt, or floodplain, is a level or gently sloping area of land situated beside a river that is periodically inundated during floods. It forms when a river overflows its banks and deposits sediments carried in suspension, creating fertile alluvial soils and a broad outrun of flood deposits. Over time the landscape develops features such as levees, scroll bars, abandoned meanders, oxbow lakes and wetlands. The extent and frequency of flooding shape the soil composition, drainage, and plant communities.

Ecology and soils in a flodslätt are typically characterized by high fertility, seasonal or permanent wetlands, and a mosaic of meadow, shrub and wetland habitats. Soils are often rich in nutrients and can support diverse plant species adapted to periodic waterlogging. The habitat supports a wide range of wildlife, including waterfowl, wading birds, amphibians and numerous invertebrates. Vegetation commonly includes wet meadows, willows, alders, reeds and sedges, with variation depending on flood frequency, drainage and human alteration.

Human use and management of flodslätts has historically capitalized on the fertile soils for agriculture and grazing. Many floodplains have been modified through drainage, levees, and river regulation, which can reduce natural flood dynamics, sediment deposition and biodiversity. In recent decades, restoration efforts have aimed to re-meander channels, reconnect floodplains, and re-wet wetlands to improve natural functions such as flood attenuation, water quality improvement and habitat restoration.

In Sweden, flodslätts are common along major rivers and contribute to regional biodiversity and agricultural value. They are also the focus of conservation and restoration projects within broader river basin management strategies.