What Is Erosion Control In Australia?
Erosion control is one of the most important landscaping practices to mitigate water damage in houses. Erosion control also helps improve soil quality and prevents the loss of topsoil. The main purpose of erosion control is to prevent or reduce water flow away from buildings or other structures (such as roads and parking lots) and off hills and mountains.
Erosion control also benefits wildlife by reducing or eliminating the spraying of herbicides to reduce vegetation. It reduces fertilizer runoff and sedimentation of streams, rivers, and reservoirs. Erosion control can enhance habitat for fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals.
There are many factors that affect erosion (water flow, rain, wind, soil type) and erosion control varies according to the area. Before beginning any erosion control project, consider your climate, slope of the land (if it’s flat or hilly), vegetation present (rocks and shrubs), residential or commercial purpose (like construction or landscaping), type of ground surface (dirt, mud, sand, hard-pack), and the degree of erosion (overgrazing, foot traffic).
Some erosion control techniques used for residential landscaping include:
Planting vegetation (shrubs, vines, grasses) on the eroding hillside to prevent soil loss by retaining moisture. It can also provide shelter for birds and other wildlife and can enhance the property’s appearance.
Grading of the hillside to intercept runoff, divert water away from homes, or reduce erosion by changing the grade of the slope.
Digging channels or trenches along hillsides to direct flow towards ponds, reservoirs, or other structures where water is stored. This method only works in areas with shallow slopes and on stable soil.
Installing check dams, which is a barrier made of rocks or wood to direct the water flow while reducing erosion and allowing some areas to hold more moisture for plants.
Bioengineering, which is diverting natural runoff by creating terraces (stepped hillsides) and installing rock walls (bioengineered gabions).
Erosion control in Australia is an important landscaping practice that helps prevent water damage in houses or other structures. It reduces fertilizer runoff and sedimentation of streams, rivers, and reservoirs. Erosion control also benefits wildlife by reducing the spraying of herbicides to reduce vegetation.