Hydro-Mechanical Effects of Several Riparian Vegetation Combinations on the Streambank Stability—A Benchmark Case in Southeastern Norway

Vegetation can be used as a nature-based solution (NBS) to restore rivers and mitigate water-triggered processes along streambanks. Roots are well known improve the overall stability of slopes through hydro-mechanical reinforcement within rooted zone. Vegetation-based solutions require selection species that most suitable for specific locations, they aimed at restoring natural state function river systems in support biodiversity, flood management, landscape development. Selecting combination different zones riverbank conditions system with regard biodiversity stability. Therefore, more studies needed investigate how variety plant riverbank. This paper presents methodological approach slope modeling including vegetation results obtained from series calculations adopting proposed methodology. The analyses were carried out critical shallow (≤3 m deep) shear planes ideal benchmark covered four combinations—(i) only grass, (ii) grass shrubs, (iii) trees, (iv) grass—for typically found streams southeastern Norway. In this desk study, two types tree selected, namely Norway spruce (Picea abies) Downy birch (Betula pubescens). Goat willow (Salix caprea) was selected shrub, while common mixed-grass chosen grass. features literature. methodology main cases: (1) considering mechanical contribution (2) both hydrological vegetation. outcome numerical showed purely could not decoupled order have realistic assessment roots improvement surfaces occurred below zone all cases, best performance using combinations trees. Considering typical climate Norway, effective spring low height (i.e., shrubs). study concludes mixed (trees, grass) is reaching highest streambanks, together erosion protection boosting ecosystem biodiversity. current help practitioners determine which cover appropriate improving streambank restoration practices.