Extreme storms threaten urban runoff management, bioretention systems struggle to cope
Bioretention systems are used to manage storm runoff in cities, but their effectiveness can be affected by climate change and aging. A study used modeling to show that as bioretention areas increase, they can reduce peak flow and runoff volume by over 75% for small storms. However, they are less effective for extreme storms, especially in highly paved areas. As bioretention systems age and climate change worsens, their overall efficiency decreases. The study suggests that considering these factors can help improve planning for stormwater management in urban areas.