Southwest Restoration Services, Erosion Control

A common feature of many degraded sites is insufficient vegetative cover, resulting in the loss of soil due to water and wind erosion. Since healthy soil is the foundation of all terrestrial ecosystems, stabilizing erosion prone areas is a high priority of many restoration projects. Although there are a wide variety of methods available to stabilize steam banks, gullies, or upland areas we normally recommend using bioengineered erosion control treatments.

Bioengineering uses live plants or seeds along with biodegradable structures or coverings that stabilize the soil until the plants are fully established. Eventually, this treatment produces a self-sustaining cover of native vegetation that increases sediment deposition, reduces erosion, and provides habitat. In streams and gullies bioengineering may be combined with temporary flow deflection structures to add further protection during the establishment phase.

AT RIGHT TOP: A willow facine ready for placement along a streambank.

AT RIGHT BOTTOM: Installation of willow facines to help stabilize an eroding streambank.