Answering Water-Caused Recession with Modern Beach Erosion Solutions

Beach erosion is a serious issue. In fact, it’s more impacting than you might suspect at first. In a related study, beaches were analyzed along the Atlantic Coast, where many bunkers that were used by the Germans during World War Two still lie. According to analysis, over the past 60 some-odd years, most of these bunkers are now mostly underwater, about two-thirds of the way submerged, an estimated 200 meters of total recession since the war (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_recession_of_beaches). This is telling of the ongoing erosion that is occurring due to the forces of Mother Nature and the ocean. Put into a more modern subtext, this same erosion is occurring around the world, at some of the most popular islands and also at some of the most popular and frequented beaches, like Miami Beach. Fortunately, there are some modern beach erosion solutions that are being implemented in countries worldwide that can help prevent these devastating effects from destroying our most cherished waterside attractions.

Adding sand is not the most sustainable option. For countless years, this has really been the governmental quick fix to eroding beaches. A popularly used method in coastal areas, particularly those that attract tourists each season, it is the most commonly used modern method right now. Experts warn, however, that’s it’s not a permanent solution, and it’s costly. Adding more sand to replaced lost sand does not stop erosion. It makes the beach prettier, sure, but the sand will still eventually erode away to the underlying problem. Miami Beach is a good example of how long this method can sustain a beach. During the 1980s it was entirely reshaped with new sand, and still is standing strong today, more than 30 years later.

During the ‘40s, groins were designed by the Army Corps of Engineers and were placed along waterways subject to erosion to prevent it from occurring. The most famous beach these groins were placed at was Coney Island Beach in New York. Groins act as water breaking devices, and consist of metal and concrete. They have also been placed as far out as 300 yards to break incoming waves and reduce the impact they have upon the shoreline. The groins have a downside: they also trap sand, which suffocates beaches that are located downstream.

A relatively newer solution consists of something that is being called underwater stabilizers. This solution is currently in place at an estimated 100 waterways worldwide. An array of plastic barriers that have a unique shape are placed in strategic positions lining the water of the shore. Basically, the design takes on the force of the incoming waves and uses the inertia to revert the wave energy, essentially spilling the wave back out to sea instead of allowing it to erode the beach.

In the U.S., Congress is currently reviewing an act called the Water Resources Development Act of 2000. The act outlines current erosion control methods and policies. If it were amended, one could expect some government funded solutions to be in place in the years to come. Until then, private companies are still devising and patenting the most effective solutions of the present era.

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How Cable Concrete Helps Prevent Soil Erosion

Cable concrete slabs are a very commonplace solution for preventing the erosion of soil during the present day. The goal of these carefully designed and placed concrete slabs is to help protect the soil from erosion due to the wind, water runoff, rain, hail, snow or other elements that commonly denigrate the top soil layers. While there are a number of other considerations that can be explored when trying to protect the top soil layers, by and far the cable concrete option is considered to be the most effective. There are a variety of reasons why this is so. Keep reading to learn more about how this solution could work in helping to protect the integrity of the soil on a land plot that you own or manage.

 Encourages Vegetative Growth

The unique design of the cable concrete slabs helps encourage and facilitate growth of vegetation. It’s no mystery that vegetation is your best natural defense against soil erosion. The precise placement of the slabs ensures that there is ample room between each slab to allow for vegetation growth in between. This growth will occur over time and add an additional barrier of protection to the soil as a result.

 Acts as Small Wind Barrier/Retaining Wall

The cable concrete solution also incorporates another popular solution that’s been used for years in preventing the erosion of soil: a wind barrier. Previously, other natural and artificial solutions have been consider which include: barrier walls, wind breakers, shrub or vegetation barriers, tree lines and others. The slabs, when positioned properly and when built tall enough, also double as a wind barrier or breaker to add a further element of protection to the top soil layers.

 Enables Easy Access by People

If you have ever looked at an array of cable concrete slabs in place, you will notice the amount of room that exists between each slab. This is not just for the enabling of water runoff or vegetative growth, but to also allow for easy access by people. This ensures that these slabs can be accessed and maintained at all times without risking damage to the area.

 Able to Contour to Gradient of Ground

One of the reasons why these slabs are so popular is that they are affordable, accessible and versatile. Since they are made from concrete, they can be multifarious in their application. When considering sloped or graded areas of ground, often anchoring is a necessity. With cable concrete, however, it may be avoided if the slope or gradient is permitting enough, because it can be more tailored to contour to the existing gradient of the ground.

 Veritable, Versatile Solution

As with any solution, how applicable it is will easily determine how effective it can be implemented. Cable concrete has quickly become the preferred solution for prevention of soil denigration because it’s versatile. The slabs can be made in a number of uniform sizes that enable them to be placed just about anywhere that there is soil. The solidity of the concrete state ensures that these slabs are long-lasting after being placed, providing a longer-acting solution that requires minimal maintenance.

 

 

Control Soil Erosion with Articulating concrete block & Turf Reinforcement Mats

Erosion of soil is a common problem faced the world over due to the transfer of stones, mud, rocks, and soil principally due to wind, water and living organism. Even though, it is a natural process, it has been made worse by man on the name of development – cutting down of trees, building of roads, and construction of the building. All these have made it a threat to the eco systems. The loss of nutrient rich topsoil has left the land exposed and unprotected. There are numerous measures to control erosion like tree plantation, crop rotation, installing draining system, less deforestation, building of terrace and retaining wall.

Nowadays lots of new technology have emerged in the market and moving with latest expertise always pays off, so let us have a good look at two of the latest way of controlling erosion of soil.

Turf Reinforcement Mats:

TRM is manufactured using biodegradable material like wood chips, coconut fibers, mulch and straw held firmly together by biodegradable netting. It can be easily rolled, so can be carried anywhere. The installation is exceedingly easy, just unfold the mat, and fix it at the area where you are facing the erosion problem. The matting holds the soil at its place, thus provides the ideal condition for the growth of vegetation. It also acts as an effective solution from rainfall, runoff from landscape and high wind.

ACB:

Articulating concrete block is quite effective in preventing soil erosion from the rapid force of moving water. It has a group of concrete block that are closely put together to form an erosion resistant barricade. This barrier has Geotextile underlay for retaining the subsoil. It drastically cuts down the speed of storm and rain water and prevents soil erosion. Even in high speed flow of water, it lets water run between sub grades and surface thus provides appropriate conditions for the growth of plants. Another prominent advantage is that it provides an ideal condition for animal habitat as it is resistant to thaw cycles and freezing.

How it work?

The concrete block is placed in such a way that it forms an open or closed design. This specific layout is called mat. They are further secured with ropes and cables that strengthen and give flexibility.  These blocks are available in different shapes and patterns. They can be colored to give a different look.  You can integrate vertical cores and spaces throughout the system; it can be used for planting vegetation. It comes up as a quick, cheap and effective way of stopping soil erosion.

These are two of the latest means of controlling soil erosion. A bit of research before buying the product will help you better understand its features. Reading customer reviews, comparing price and finding out the kind of material used for manufacturing is vital. Generally two kinds of material are used, synthetic and natural fiber, one of them lasts longer than the other when used for controlling erosion. A research will help you understand all the fine points of product and help you take intelligent decision.

For More Information Visit Here:-International Erosion Control Systems

Preventing Soil Erosion

Soil Erosion is the removal of topsoil through the action of various agents such as water, wind, animals and human activities. It is a natural process and is responsible for shaping the landscapes around us. Yet, when removal of topsoil is faster than its natural rate of formation it can raise severe concerns. Anthropogenic activities such as over grazing, deforestation, mechanized agriculture, overgrazing, etc. can aggravate this problem. It can make fertile lands barren. It can even lead to desertification, acidification of land, land contamination and even floods.

It is a very serious problem. Today we are facing major environmental problems such as Global warming, Climate Change, Ecological Imbalance, Extinction of Species, etc. It is time that we take steps to prevent this problem otherwise it can also lead to severe consequences. The best way to tackle this problem is through soil conservation.

Soil conservation can be achieved through various ways. Such as:

Plant Vegetation: You can grow herbs, shrubs, bushes and trees to deal with this problem effectively. You can grow indigenous plants that can survive easily in your area. You can even opt for exotic plants after identifying their needs for survival. The roots of herbs, shrubs, bushes and trees hold soil and negate the eroding effects of wind and water. They also help in increasing the fertility of the soil. Besides, they provide shelter to insects, birds and animal. Hence help in preserving the ecological balance.

Planting Wind-Barriers: You can plant trees on the windward side of your land. High winds are one of the most prominent causes that lead to erosion of soil. Wind-barriers can counter the effect of high winds and help in soil conservation. Apart from trees you can even use shrubs, bushes or plastic fences as wind-barriers.

Lay Mulch: You can lay mulch to conserve soil. It prevents the direct exposure of top soil to agents of erosion. It also helps in keeping the soil damp and moist. You can also use organic mulch that can be made from plant remains and animal faeces. Using Mulch offers three benefits. Firstly, it maintains optimum moisture level in the soil. Secondly, it protects the topsoil from the direct attack of eroding agents. Thirdly, It helps in maintaining optimum soil temperature.

Conservation Tillage: You can use conservation tillage in your agricultural farms and gardens. This can be done by using plants or plant parts as boundary or cover for soil. You can use grass or plants such as rye or clover. They help by covering the surface of the soil and thus preventing erosion. Conservation tillage also helps in improving the physical and biological quality of soil.

 Contour Farming: It is the best way for conserving soil in hilly areas. In this method, the plants are grown on slopes in order to minimize the effect of water, wind and other forces of erosion.

 Sediment Control: You can practice sediment control by building diversion dikes, sediment bases, sediment traps, and silt fences. These structures can save the soil from erosion.

 You can practice any of the above methods depending on your requirements.

Soil Erosion

Soil erosion happens naturally. Water and wind have always washed soil down rivers and to the sea, whittling away at the arable land in one place so that nature can make more somewhere else. Where human activity is concerned, this otherwise natural phenomena can unfortunately proceed much more quickly than would be natural. Accelerated by issues like improper landscaping or overused farmland, this kind of erosion can result in considerable human and economic damage.

What leads to erosion?

Water or wind are inevitably the causes of soil erosion. Flowing across soil or meadows, water may etch deep ravines or turn hillsides into catastrophic waves of mud. Wind can pick up exposed soil and carry it hundreds of miles, making useless dust where previously productive farmland used to be. As water flows faster and wind picks up speed, the amount of damage goes up. If plants stand in their path, they slow down or stop — and do far less harm as a result.

What kind of erosion is caused by water?

Flowing water tends to be responsible for tunnel, gully, stream bank, or sheet and rill erosion.

Tunnel erosion is subsurface erosion that happens when water carves out routes in the soil as it makes its way through burrows, root channels, and cracks.

Gully erosion is characterized by sharp-edged channels cut at least a half-meter deep in the land. It’s caused by surface water flows concentrating together and etching the land as they go.

Stream bank erosion happens when sudden or intermittent peak flows in a creek or stream make the stream cut wider and deeper channels through the land.

Sheet and rill can be caused by both water and wind. Rain, wind, or shallow water flows may all strip away surface soil. If the water creates a channel deeper than a half meter, it’s called a gully. Channels less than a half-meter are referred to as rills.

What kind of erosion is caused by wind?

Blowing wind generally causes wind and coastal erosion, but may also be responsible for sheet and rill erosion as mentioned previously.

Wind erosion is a catch-all term for the erosion that occurs mostly in farming, where soil components blow away from spots where the wind can access the fragile surface directly.

Coastal erosion is a sub-type of wind erosion that occurs on the coast, when vegetation leaves sand dunes exposed to the wind.

What can you do to stop and prevent erosion?

Plants are the best measure against soil erosion. They act to shield the land from the scouring action of wind and water, by slowing down either. Plant roots fix soil to the spot and help keep it from washing away. When raindrops fall, plant leaves break their impact and reduce the raindrops’ ability to remove soil. In wetlands, the plants may be all that prevents soil from washing away immediately.

Whether you’re looking to hold your front yard in place or ensure a healthy place to plant your crops, making sure plants are always growing on the soil will preserve it for years to come. You can get even better results by encouraging diversity and allowing native plants to flourish: indigenous plants are better adapted to the land and will do more to preserve it.

Soil Stabilization Solutions

When the soil around a home or a garden becomes unstable, it creates different types of problems for the homeowner. To keep major problems from occurring, there are several types of soil stabilizers that help with preventing soil movement,

From muddy yards and sinkholes to the loss of workable gardening property, homeowner can choose a common solution to fix the problems that they are experiencing. Some of the most common soil stabilization solutions can be found by researching various sites online. Listed below are four commonly known solutions that may work great for some homeowners. The type of soil stabilization solution will be based on the severity of the homeowner’s problem.

Plants

One type of soil stabilization solution for a homeowner involves using plant roots, specifically grass as well as other ground covers. Plant roots can help the homeowner with holding the soil in place. Grass and other ground covers are not the first option for some homeowners, especially in emergency situations. One of the main reasons for excluding grass roots from emergency cases is because it takes time for these type of roots to establish themselves in the ground. Plant roots are great alternatives to use when the owner wants to hold the soil in places, specifically in certain areas around the home (i.e. gradual slopes that can be found near a home). These roots will also help with preventing the landscape from shifting too much. Whenever it is possible, the professionals in the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources are recommending planting grasses that grow deep and have deep root systems. By using the right solutions, the owner will also help with preventing muddy runoff and dust problems that’s caused by unstable soil.

Mulch

When a homeowner needs a quick solution, they may want to consider using Mulch. Mulch is used by many homeowners who have experienced these kinds of problem, since they have a unique advantage over using different types of soil stabilizing-plants. Mulch can also be used to cover exposed soil easily. Mulch is a short-term fix instead of a long-term solution because it is not permanent. The types of basic materials included in mulch are straw and wood.

Soil Binders

Another solution used by many homeowners in California is soil binders. These owners use soil binders when they want to limit erosion and hold the soil around their homes together. When this kind of temporary solution is used, the owner should only expect a short duration period (i.e. last from a few months to two years). Soil binders are available to the owner in the form of liquids. When sprayed over a homeowner’s oil, the areas affected will stay in place because it makes the soil sticky.

Physical Barriers

In addition to using plant roots, mulch and soil binders, the owner has an option of using physical barriers to hold the soil around the home in place. For example, the owner may choose to use plastic sheets. These plastic sheets will help with preventing erosion and lot of dust.

Control of soil erosion

Soil erosion can be a huge problem to deal with if you don’t know how to control it. Fortunately there are a lot of ways you can take control of soil erosion and improve your front and back yard.

Mulch

Mulch and compost can help to enrich your soil so the erosion becomes less noticeable and eventually is gone. It will help to protect your lawn because it’s so heavy and difficult to move. If you apply this on a regular basis it can help you take control of soil erosion for good.

Prevention

One of the best ways to gain control of soil erosion is by preventing it from even happening in the first place. The easiest way to prevent this from happening is by planting shrubs and trees throughout your lawn. The roots that these have will create a more stable environment inside the soil so that erosion is not likely to happen. In addition to this, you may want to consider planting some grass. This will add a healthy appearance to your home and make the roots more stable as well. Just make sure you take care of the grass so that the lawn is growing healthy during the months it should be.

Retaining Walls

These walls are easy to install and can create a nice layout in your yard as well. These are useful because they help to drain water in a more efficient manner. For example, when it rains the excess water will drain to an appropriate place instead of your land. One of the most important things to remember when building one of these is that it has to be reinforced with steel or concrete. These materials will ensure the wall stays secure and doesn’t get damaged from long periods of exposure. A retaining wall will make a barrier between your land and water so that you don’t have to worry about erosion throughout the year.

Gardening Techniques

If you have a garden, there are some techniques you can use to prevent erosion as well. Buffers are great for keeping soil in a certain area. When the soil is not exposed to the outside air or other natural elements, it will prevent erosion from happening. Most gardeners and even farmers also stop tilling their crops and vegetables to ensure erosion doesn’t happen. This protects the soil and the nutrients that are naturally inside it.

Contour Farming

If you’re farming or gardening, the term contour farming is probably one you have heard before. This is where you will strategically place your crops or plants by putting them where the land lies flat. If you cut off your land where it’s going to run off you can easily prevent a lot of erosion from occurring.

Learning More

Preventing erosion is something that might take you a while to really understand. Everyone has different land and crops, so a lot of it depends with which technique you use. If one thing ends up not working, try another until you find what is most effective.