Erosion control is one of the most important issues for many projects. There are many reasons why erosion occurs, so the experts from StrataGreen have provided some top tips and insights.
It is necessary to control erosion to protect the project site and to reduce the environmental impact that the project has on the surrounding area. My tip is to identify the forces at play. Work out how the wind, water, traffic or whatever else will affect the plantings. You’ll then be able to design your defences using the right materials, knowing that there’s less chance you’ll be back on site trying to rescue a failure. Find out how to control erosion.
Going Natural
If your specs demand an organic solution, various natural products will give you the performance you’re after in an organic format. Jute mesh works well to control sand and soil movement on dunes and embankments; it traps seeds, boosts plant growth; it also deflects heavy rains and run off. It’s ideal where you ultimately want the product to biodegrade in situ, at around the 12 month mark. There are also similarly functioning products based on coir which last longer – two to three years - given the coir’s natural resistance to rotting. Whether coir or jute based, both help boost plantings by absorbing water and keeping topsoil moist, and when they do break down, they add humus to the site. There are also blankets of coir sandwiched between fine nets that trap sediment carried by run off, keeping drainage channels clear.
Long run solutions
When your specs call for something that will keep performing year after year, take a look at the geotextiles. They vary in thickness grades and size, but essentially they’re needle-punched, non-woven, manufactured from continuous polyester filaments. Products like GeoTek are hard to damage during installation and have high water permeability. They last so well because they are resistant: to UV; mildew; insects; the full range of pH; and commonly encountered soil chemicals. In other words, they are non-biodegradable.
Custom Solutions
Some situations call for custom solutions, so it’s good to know what’s out there, various tools that can be brought in to do the job. Take GeoHex for example. Its main function is to stabilise the ground, but at the same time, it controls erosion. And it supports loads. Which makes it a very useful product to have on hand if, say, you needed to control erosion in areas that also need to handle traffic. For example, it’s an environmentally low impact way to create a parking zone without concrete or bitumen. Or you might need to stabilise a challenging bank, when it’s good to know about Mira Cell . The accordion-like pocket system is pinned in place, back-filled and planted to become permanently stable. Or Landlok reinforcement mats, perfect for stabilising storm water channels, quickly and for the long term. These come in various grades and formats, all of which are UV stable and non-degradable. All will trap seed and soil and retain enough moisture to boost revegetation.
There are many bits and pieces to add into the equation, not the least the choice in fixings. Biotek pins are the obvious choice for putting in coir or jute mattings because they are made from Polymaize which is also biodegradable. For more permanent situations, there are galvanised steel GeoTek ground staples. Be sure to use the recommended number of fixings per square metre so that it doesn’t need t be re-done.
Get in touch with our friendly team
Finally, talk to your supplier. Find out what you can about what you’re thinking of using. How others have used it, and how you’re planning to use it. You’ll be able to refine your approach, protect your budget and get the best possible results.
A challenging project at Heathcote Point by Natural Area Consulting Management Services on Perth’s Swan River. This job had custom solution written all over it, holding up through even an early storm event (below). The message here is: know your threats, and know what’s available to make use of.
Heathcote Point