What is Soil Bioengineering?
Soil bioengineering
The California Urban Streams Partnership promotes soil bioengineering — a biotechnical technique — in our restoration approach. Soil bioengineering uses a combination of native plant materials and soil to accomplish bank stabilization, erosion control, improved habitat and water quality. The technique combines structural and ecological methods recommended in federal engineering manuals. This approach has many benefits over “traditional” erosion control methods that harm creeks, have negative ecological impacts, and fail over time. Soil bioengineering is practical and effective.
Willow roots provide roots are fast growing and have a similar or greater tensile strength than concrete., providing adaptive structure and stability to stream banks while also providing water quality and ecosystem benefits.
Watershed Steward Program Members using soil bioengineering at a home in Martinez, CA as a part of the SMPL Program.
Some additional benefits include:
Cost Effectiveness
Willow cuttings can be locally harvested. Many of these techniques can be performed by the homeowner. Soil bioengineering is much cheaper when compared against short-term construction costs as well as long term maintenance and lifespan replacement costs associated with traditional structural solutions such as riprap, concrete, sacrete and retaining walls.
Long-term Stability
Planting riparian vegetation can offer the best long-term protection against erosion. The roots have a similar or greater tensile strength than concrete and absorb the stream’s erosive energy without deflecting the problem to another section of channel. Fast rooting riparian vegetation quickly provides structure and stability to a slope and controls channel incision.
Improved Habitat for Local Flora and Fauna
Riparian plants provide food and shelter for birds and wildlife. Furthermore, once established, trees grow into a riparian canopy that keeps water temperatures cool, allowing stream life to thrive. Soil bioengineering is often a critical component of fish habitat restoration.
Highly Encouraged by Regulatory Community
These techniques are often requested by permitting agencies like CA Fish and Wildlife and the San Francisco Bay Water Quality Control Board
