Urban development in Colorado threatens floodplain functionality, study finds.
Floodplains play a crucial role in supporting biodiversity and ecosystem services. This study developed a method to measure floodplain health in Colorado by looking at how human activities affect floodplain functions like flood control and habitat provision. The researchers found that floodplain integrity decreased in areas with more development and larger streams. This new method can help focus restoration efforts on the most impacted areas and functions.