Revegetation

EROSION CONTROL TECHNIQUE

Revegetation  Temperate Climates  Short-term [1]

Non Vegetation Wet Tropics  Long-term
Weed Control Semi-Arid Zones  Permanent 
[1] Temporary revegetation can be an effective form of erosion control, but it usually needs to
incorporate Light Mulching in order to provide sufficient protection from raindrop impact erosion.

Symbol

Photo 1 – Turfing Photo 2 – Fertiliser spreader and chisel

plough

Key principles
1. Test the soils, and where required, adjust the soils before planting
2. The primary function of “temporary” vegetation, in association with mulching, is to achieve
effective short-term erosion control through coverage of the soil surface, thus the effective
percentage surface cover is the key performance measure.
3. Vegetative-based erosion control is primarily achieved through coverage of the soil. Root
stabilisation of the soil structure is generally of secondary importance. However, the
function of the roots becomes increasingly important as the surface slope increases.
4. The initial coverage of annual grasses in the weeks following seeding may not provide
adequate erosion protection against raindrop impact because these grasses primarily grow
vertically, thus providing only limited coverage of the soil surface. In such cases, mowing
can increase the effective soil cover.

Design Information

Selecting the most suitable plant establishment techniques, appropriate species, seeding rates,
planting densities, fertiliser types, watering rates, and maintenance techniques, requires the
guidance of experts such as soil scientists, revegetation specialists, local bushland groups, and
government extension officers.

Each of the various forms of soil erosion, whether initiated by wind, rain, or flowing water, are
best controlled by different forms and/or combinations of vegetation. Table 1 outlines the types
of vegetation most likely to be effective in the control of the various forms of soil erosion. Of
course there are always exceptions to such generalisation.

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 Table 1 – Plant selection for the control of soil erosion

Erosion form Primary Secondary Comments

vegetation vegetation
Water induced:
Raindrop impact Ground covers, Trees, shrubs • Ground covers need to quickly
grasses, and cover the soil surface (i.e. not
living or dead just straight, vertical shoots—
organic matter which is often the early growth
characteristic of many annuals).
• In this context, “grasses”
includes living, dormant and
dead grasses.
• Trees contribute by suppling leaf
and bark litter (mulch).
Sheet erosion Ground covers, • Non-clumping, continuous
grasses ground cover is required.
Rill erosion Ground covers, • Non-clumping, continuous
grasses ground cover is required.
Gully erosion Ground covers, Trees, shrubs, • Vetiver grass can be used to
vetiver grass woody debris form a vegetative sediment
barrier.
• Trees and shrubs may be
required for bank stability.
Tunnel erosion • Stabilisation of soil and control of
water pathways are of primary
importance.
• Avoid deep-rooted or short-lived
plants on water impoundment
embankments.
Wave erosion Reeds Mangroves • Critical locations include
coastlines, rivers, lakes and
dams.
• Mangroves can struggle to deal
with significant wave attack.
Gravity induced:
Mass movement Trees, vetiver Shrubs • Use of deep-rooted plants is
grass critical.
Wind induced:
Wind erosion Ground covers Tree, shrubs, • Trees can form windbreaks.
mulches
• Aided by increased surface
roughness.
Watercourse erosion:
Refer to the Instream Erosion Control fact sheet, and Tables I14 to I15 (p. I.32 to I.34) in
Appendix I – Instream works.

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ESTIMATING GROUND COVER

(i) Quadrat method

Materials:
• 50m tape measure
• 1m2 quadrat (a “quadrat” for these purposes being a 1m x 1m rectangular viewing grid)
• visual cover estimation template (Figure 1, otherwise refer to McDonald et al., 1990)
• notebook and pens
Procedure:
1. Locate sampling points at four evenly spaced points along a 50m transect.
2. Place the 1m2 quadrat on the ground with the nominated point at the centre. Identify all
species rooted within the quadrat (if required), and estimate and record the percentage
cover. Where required, record the percentage cover of each plant species. For the purpose
of species identification, do not record plants rooted outside, but branching across, the
quadrat. For purposes of total cover estimation, record all matter, plant (living or dead) and
mulch, whether rooted inside or outside the quadrat.
(McDonald, R.C., Isbell, R.F., Speight, J.C., Walker, J. and Hopkins, M.S. 1990, Australian Soils and Land
Survey Field Handbook, Inkata press, Melbourne)

(ii) Ellenbank Pasture Meter

The Ellenbank Pasture Meter consists of a weighted plate that compresses pasture, then
measures the height of the compressed vegetation. Even though this procedure provides a
good estimate of pasture density (for stock feed), it does not necessarily provide a good
estimate of cover. It is noted that the bulk of the pasture may consist of tall, near-vertical stalks
that provide limited protection against raindrop impact in comparison to shorter, near-horizontal
dead or living stalks.

ESTIMATION OF TREE AND SHRUB DENSITY

Materials:
• 2 x 50m tape measures
• star pickets
• notebook and pens
Procedure:
At each sample site, mark the western end of a 50m transect with a star picket. Measure the
tree and shrub densities using the Point-Centred Quarter method (Barbour et al. 1987), as
described below.
1. Locate sampling points at the 0m, 25m and 50m points on the transect.
2. At each sample point, align two axes centred on the sample point. The axes follow the line
of the transect, and a line perpendicular to the transect.
3. Within each quadrant formed by the axes, identify the closest tree and shrub. If the tree or
shrub exceeds a distance of 50m, do not record it.
4. Measure the distance in metres to the closest tree, and to the closest shrub.
5. Record the species and estimate its height.
6. For each transect, average the distance measurements for trees (Dave).
7. Calculate the average tree density (stems per hectare), Td = 10,000 / (2 x (Dave)2)
8. Calculate the relative density of species, X =
(Number trees of species, X) / (Total number of trees x average tree density)
9. Repeat Steps 6 to 8 for shrub species. Record the adopted classification of shrubs (e.g. all
woody plants less than 6m tall, including tree saplings).

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 2% cover 5% cover 10% cover 15% cover

20% cover 25% cover 30% cover 35% cover

40% cover 45% cover 50% cover 55% cover

60% cover 65% cover 70% cover 70% cover

75% cover 80% cover 80% cover 85% cover

90% cover 90% cover 95% cover 100% cover

Figure 1 – Visual cover estimation template

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Description
Usually requires a long maintenance
Establishment of temporary or permanent period.
vegetation over exposed soil surfaces.
Common Problems
“Temporary seeding” is a process of
providing a temporary grass cover during Poor site drainage can damage plant seeds
construction delays, or when final further and remove mulch cover.
soil disturbance is expected within a given
Poor soil preparation can significantly limit
area and short-term erosion control
the establishment, growth and erosion
measures are deemed necessary.
benefits of vegetation.
Purpose Many problems can initiate from inadequate
soil testing and soil amendment.
Site revegetation is performed for a number
of reasons, including:
Special Requirements
• Improve aesthetics
Usually requires guidance from local
• Erosion control experts, such as local agronomists.
• General ecological reasons including
habitat, food source & shelter At least 70% ground cover (combined plant
and mulch) is considered necessary to
• Stabilisation of shallow land slips provide a satisfactory level of erosion
• Increase stormwater infiltration and control.
reduce the volume of runoff
A mulch cover layer is usually required to
• Reduce rainfall impact energy control short-term erosion and provide good
• Increase organic content of the soil growing conditions. The mulching of
exposed soils is generally recommended on
• Established vegetated buffer zones
all seeded areas, especially when the area
• Reduce dust problems contains: high clay content soils, dispersive
• Filter sediment from sheet flow soils, exposed subsoils, or during hot, dry
weather (to limit soil moisture loss).
Limitations Requires suitable soil and soil conditioning.
There are limits to the role vegetation alone Plant establishment requires a reliable
can play in controlling erosion. Both soil water supply.
strength and vegetation cover (including
root system) can take years to develop to On some open grassed areas, slashing is
the required condition. recommended to reduce the excessive
growth of the primary cover and also to
Usually not suitable in heavy traffic areas or remove immature seed heads. This is
on long slopes steeper than 2:1(H:V). particularly important for summer plantings
as regrowth can compete strongly for light
Advantages and water with the secondary and tertiary
In terms of ecologically sustainable soil cover species.
protection, vegetation is the best long-term Long-term maintenance needs are usually
solution to wind and water induced erosion. inversely proportional to the degree of
Most forms of vegetation are self- planning and quality of site preparation.
regenerating and to some degree, self
maintaining. Site Inspection
Well-landscaped works are aesthetic and Check effective percentage cover.
usually well received by the public. Check for damage to protective fencing.
Disadvantages Seed, seedlings and mulch may need re-
application if the vegetation does not
Long establishment time for most forms of establish in the required time.
vegetation, except turfing.
Look for displacement of mulch by wind or
Subject to damage in heavy traffic areas. water.
Conflicts can exist between the choice of
native and exotic species.
In some rural and semi-arid areas, watering
costs can be high.

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Specifications for site revegetation vary 2. Watering the vegetation periodically is
considerably from site to site. Site essential, especially in the first 7 days
supervisors should obtain site specific after establishment. Use low-pressure
planting specifications. sprays because high-pressure jets can
wash away the seed and mulch cover.
Installation
3. Watering should start immediately after
1. Refer to approved plans for location, planting. Watering should comply with
extent, and application details. If there specifications provided with the
are questions or problems with the approved plans. Generally watering
location, extent, or method of should vary according to weather and
application contact the engineer, soil conditions. A typical watering
landscape architect or responsible on- schedule may consist of the following:
site officer for assistance. • 25 mm every second day for the
2. Apply soil conditioners and fertiliser as first three waterings;
specified on the approved plans. Rip • 25 mm twice a week for the next
the soil to a depth of 100 to 150mm to three weeks; and
mix the components into the soil and to
• 25 mm once weekly for a further
loosen and roughen the soil surface
two weeks.
before seeding.
4. Monitor site revegetation, particularly
3. There should be sufficient soil depth to
after rainfall, and appropriate
provide an adequate root zone. The
maintenance and/or amendment to
depth to rock or impermeable layers ensure that the revegetation is
such as hardpans should be 300mm or
controlling erosion and stabilising soil
more, except on slopes steeper than
slopes as required.
2:1(H:V) where such soil depth may not
be feasible. 5. Where practicable, fill in, or level out,
any rill erosion between plants. If
4. Ensure the soil pH is within the
excessive erosion occurs, then
specified range. consider increasing the planting
5. Apply seed uniformly by hand or with a density, applying appropriate erosion
fertiliser spreader, drill-seeder, hydro- control measures, or introducing
seeder, or other suitable equipment as alternative, non-clumping plant species.
specified.
6. Areas must be re-seeded and mulched
6. When using broadcast-seeding if the vegetation fails to establish or is
methods, subdivide the area into damaged by runoff or construction
workable sections and apply one-half activities.
the specified quantity of seed while 7. If the temporary vegetation cover or
moving back and forth across the area,
erosion control measure (e.g. mulch
making a uniform pattern. Then apply
cover) should fail for any reason before
the second half in the same way, but establishment of the permanent
moving at right angles to the first pass.
vegetation cover, then it must be
Cover broadcast seed by raking or
replaced with an appropriate type of
chain dragging; then firm the surface cover sufficient to control soil erosion.
with a roller to provide good seed to soil
contact. 8. If the permanent vegetation should fail
to establish or to adequately restrain
7. Apply seed at the recommended rate, erosion for any reason during the
and disc or otherwise mechanically
construction or maintenance period, the
treat the surface to bring the seed into
area should be revegetated or
contact with the soil. protected with other erosion control
8. The seeded area should be mulched as measures as appropriate.
specified in the approved plan.
9. In areas where the obtained vegetation
cover is considered inadequate for
Maintenance erosion control, the affected area
1. During the construction phase, inspect should be over-seeded and fertilised
the treated area fortnightly and after using half the originally specified rates,
runoff-producing rainfall. Make repairs or as directed.
as needed.

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10. Maintain grass blade length at a
minimum 50mm height within medium
to high velocity drainage areas, and 20
to 50mm within low velocity flow paths.
11. Where necessary, or as directed by the
site supervisor, slash the temporary
crop/grass cover to allow the successful
growth of the underlying permanent
vegetation cover.
12. Control weed growth within 1m of
immature trees for 6 to 12 months for
fast growing species, and 18 to 20
months for slower growing species, or
until the end of the specified
maintenance period.
13. Where mulch is used to control weed
growth, inspect and where necessary,
renew at maintenance periods not
exceeding 4 to 6 months.
14. Apply additional seed, mulch and/or soil
conditioning as required. Mulches
usually need to be maintained or
renewed (as necessary) 2 to 3 times a
year.
15. Inspect and where necessary repair
protective fencing at maintenance
periods not exceeding 1 month.
16. Re-firm plants loosened by wind-rock,
livestock or wildlife.
17. Replace dead or severely retarded
plants.
18. Prune any plants of dead or diseased
parts. Cut off all damaged tree limbs
above the tree collar at the trunk or
main branch. Use several cuts
including undercutting to avoid peeling
bark from the healthy areas of the tree.
19. Dispose of cleared vegetation in an
appropriate manner such as chipping or
mulching, on-site burial, or off-site
disposal. Cleared vegetation should
not be dumped near a watercourse or
on a floodplain where is could be
removed by floodwaters. Vegetation
should not be burnt on-site without
specific approval from the local
authority.
20. Repair damaged tree roots by cutting
off the damaged areas and sealing
them with an approved product.
Spread moist topsoil over exposed
roots.

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