Project
Plant root effects on erosion of sandy soils in a temperate climate. A trait-based methodology to select native plants for biological soil conservation measures
Soil erosion is a major problem leading to severe land degradation problems. To control these soil erosion processes, plant species can be used. Both above- and below-ground biomass can help to protect the soil. Plant roots can be very effective in stabilizing the soil against concentrated flow erosion and shallow mass movements. Most research on the erosion-reducing potential of plant roots was conducted on loamy soils and at present, almost no research exists on the effectiveness of plant roots in reducing concentrated flow erosion rates in sandy soils while they can ve verry susceptible to incisive erosion processes. Therefore, the prime objective of this study was to assess the erosion-reducing potential of both fibrous and tap roots in sandy soils.
When using plant species to control soil erosion-processes, species have to be selected. In the last decades, many research was conducted on identifying benificial plant traits to control soil erosion processes. Using this information, suitable plant species can be selected based on these plant traits. In this study a trait-based methodology will be used to select most suitable native plant species growing on sandy soils.