American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

A floodplain is BEST described as?

1. An area that experiences surface flooding during storms

2. The land that provides surface recharge to surface systems

3. An area that contains an abundance of wetland plants

4. The land that buffers wetlands during coastal storms

The correct answer is: An area that experiences surface flooding during storms

A floodplain is best described as an area that experiences surface flooding during storms, which is consistent with the definition of floodplains in hydrological and environmental planning contexts. Floodplains are typically low-lying areas adjacent to rivers and streams that can be inundated during periods of heavy rainfall or snowmelt. This characteristic makes them significant in managing floodwaters; they serve to temporarily hold excess water, mitigating the impact on adjacent areas and helping to reduce downstream flooding. In contrast to the other options, while they touch on related concepts, they do not encapsulate the primary definition of a floodplain. The surface recharge aspect relates to groundwater movement rather than defining an area most impacted by flooding. The mention of wetland plants pertains to ecosystem types that might exist within a floodplain or in nearby areas, but it does not define the floodplain itself. Lastly, buffering wetlands during coastal storms refers to protective roles that land might play but is not a fundamental defining feature of floodplains. Thus, the chosen option accurately preserves the essential nature of floodplains in a straightforward, understandable manner.