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Slope Stability and Erosion Control: Ecotechnological Solutions pp 65–118Cite as

How Vegetation Reinforces Soil on Slopes

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Once the instability process e.g. erosion or landslides has been identified on a slope, the type of vegetation to best reinforce the soil can then be determined. Plants improve slope stability through changes in mechanical and hydrological properties of the root-soil matrix. The architecture of a plants root system will influence strongly these reinforcing properties. We explain how root morphology and biomechanics changes between species. An overview of vegetation effects on slope hydrology is given, along with an update on the use of models to predict the influence of vegetation on mechanical and hydrological properties of soil on slopes. In conclusion, the optimal root system types for improving slope stability are suggested.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. INRA, Montpellier, France

    Alexia Stokes

  2. Halcrow Group Ltd., Peterborough, UK

    Joanne E. Norris

  3. Department Physical Geography, Utrecht University, 80115, 3508TC, Utrecht, Netherlands

    L. P. H. van Beek

  4. Department Civil Engineering and Geoscience, Delft University of Technology, 5048, 2600 GA, Delft, Netherlands

    Thom Bogaard

  5. IBED, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands

    Erik Cammeraat

  6. Jacobs UK Ltd., Glasgow, UK

    Slobodan B. Mickovski

  7. Milton Keynes Parks Trust, Campbell Park Pavilion, Milton Keynes, UK

    Anthony Jenner

  8. Dept. Chemical and Environmental Sciences, University of Insubria, Via Valleggio 11, CO-22100, Italy

    Antonino Di Iorio

  9. CIRAD, AMAP, Montpellier, France

    Thierry Fourcaud

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  1. Alexia Stokes
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  4. Thom Bogaard
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  7. Anthony Jenner
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  8. Antonino Di Iorio
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  9. Thierry Fourcaud
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Halcrow Group Ltd., Peterborough, UK

    Joanne E. Norris

  2. INRA, Montpellier, France

    Alexia Stokes

  3. Jacobs UK Ltd., Glasgow, UK

    Slobodan B. Mickovski

  4. University of Amsterdam, Netherlands

    Erik Cammeraat

  5. Utrecht University, Netherlands

    Rens van Beek

  6. Forest Research, Roslin, UK

    Bruce C. Nicoll

  7. Université Laval, Québec, Canada

    Alexis Achim

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Stokes, A. et al. (2008). How Vegetation Reinforces Soil on Slopes. In: Norris, J.E., et al. Slope Stability and Erosion Control: Ecotechnological Solutions. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-6676-4_4

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