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

Shallow slope failures due to erosion are common occurrences along roadways. The use of deep-rooted vegetative covers is a potential solution stabilize newly constructed slopes or repair shallow landslides. This study compared species that may provide stabilization for sites in the Piedmont region southeastern USA. Six were tested on experimental plots under natural rainfall conditions, and vegetation health establishment monitored. Two methods used measure surface erosion, measurement total suspended solids collected runoff pins. While uncertainty was high both methods, differences evident between spatial distribution related quality establishment. For three established well, soil cores root biomass at depths up 40 cm. Vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizaniodies) had substantially higher mean (3.75 kg/m3) than juniper shrubs (Juniperus chinensis; 0.45 fescue (Lolium arundinaceum; 1.28 kg/m3), with most pronounced difference deepest layers. Seeding turf such as practice control but replacing this vetiver steep help prevent landslides additional reinforcement. Additional work needed magnitude strength gain.