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Comparison of Vegetation Types for Prevention of Erosion and Shallow Slope Failure on Steep Slopes in the Southeastern USA

Author

Listed:
  • Homayra Asima

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Victoria Niedzinski

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.
    Current Address: School of Earth and Climate Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA.)

  • Frances C. O’Donnell

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA)

  • Jack Montgomery

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA)

Abstract

Shallow slope failures due to erosion are common occurrences along roadways. The use of deep-rooted vegetative covers is a potential solution to stabilize newly constructed slopes or repair shallow landslides. This study compared species that may provide slope stabilization for sites in the Piedmont region of the southeastern USA. Six species were tested on experimental plots under natural rainfall conditions, and vegetation health and establishment were monitored. Two methods were used to measure surface erosion, measurement of total suspended solids in collected runoff and erosion pins. While measurement uncertainty was high for both methods, differences were evident between species in the spatial distribution of surface erosion that was related to the quality of vegetation establishment. For three species that established well, soil cores were collected to measure root biomass at depths up to 40 cm. Vetiver grass ( Vetiveria zizaniodies ) had substantially higher mean root biomass (3.75 kg/m 3 ) than juniper shrubs ( Juniperus chinensis ; 0.45 kg/m 3 ) and fescue grass ( Lolium arundinaceum ; 1.28 kg/m 3 ), with the most pronounced difference in the deepest soil layers. Seeding with turf grass such as fescue is a common practice for erosion control in the region but replacing this with vetiver on steep slopes may help prevent shallow landslides due to the additional root reinforcement. Additional work is needed to measure the magnitude of the strength gain.

Suggested Citation

  • Homayra Asima & Victoria Niedzinski & Frances C. O’Donnell & Jack Montgomery, 2022. "Comparison of Vegetation Types for Prevention of Erosion and Shallow Slope Failure on Steep Slopes in the Southeastern USA," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-20, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:11:y:2022:i:10:p:1739-:d:936348
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ujwalkumar Dashrath Patil & Austin J. Shelton III & Edriel Aquino, 2021. "Bioengineering Solution to Prevent Rainfall-Induced Slope Failures in Tropical Soil," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-21, March.
    2. Dalton, P. A. & Smith, R. J. & Truong, P. N. V., 1996. "Vetiver grass hedges for erosion control on a cropped flood plain: hedge hydraulics," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 31(1-2), pages 91-104, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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