Ecoengineering practices for soil degradation protection of vulnerable hill slopes

What is it about?

Landslide and soil degradation are two naturally occurring phenomena that are caused mostly by heavy rains, floods, earthquakes, construction, and human activities along the slope, disturbing its true condition. They can also be initiated on certain slopes that are already on the verge of movement by heavy rainfall, snow melting, water table changes, erosion, earthquakes, volcanic activity, anthropological means, or any combination of these factors. For geotechnical engineers working on slope stability, increasing the shear strength of soil is always an intriguing factor in which various methods have been tried across the globe to reinforce soil, which in turn will reduce soil erosion. Working on shear strength, slope stability, and effects on roots on soil fixation to avoid soil erosion have been reported by several authors through established literature. The utilization of vegetation for slope stability is being studied and practiced by researchers worldwide, and the major functions a plant performs as a soil bioengineer are catch, support, anchor, reinforcement, drain, and armoring. It acts as a land cover reducing the rainfall intensity, thereby reducing soil erosion, and supporting the soil surface by reducing debris flow; tree roots act as soil nails and anchor the surface to the deep surface; small and finer roots and root clusters act as reinforcing agents; it also helps to drain the surface water flow by evapotranspiration. Soil bioengineering is an effective option, particularly in developing countries such as India, Nepal, and Bangladesh, to cope with the issues of land degradation and deep soil erosion. In this study, we propose a framework for the implementation of soil bioengineering practices to abate land degradation in vulnerable hilly areas. This framework can be used to select plants, obtain plants, and grow them to promote establishment in the soil and methods to grow them to protect the soil from vulnerabilities.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

For geotechnical engineers working on slope stability, increasing the shear strength of soil is always an intriguing factor in which various methods have been tried across the globe to reinforce soil, which in turn will reduce soil erosion. Working on shear strength, slope stability, and effects on roots on soil fixation to avoid soil erosion have been reported by several authors through established literature. The utilization of vegetation for slope stability is being studied and practiced by researchers worldwide, and the major functions a plant performs as a soil bioengineer are catch, support, anchor, reinforcement, drain, and armoring.

Perspectives