How to Prevent Erosion
Erosion can cause serious harm to ecosystems and human property. The guiding principle of preventing erosion is to avoid altering natural landscapes and processes as much as possible. Where urban areas are expanding in response to population increase, clearly some impact on natural areas is inevitable. But the damage can be minimized by planning around the natural features of the land.
What can I do to prevent erosion?
- Vegetation is a key factor in erosion prevention, particularly on steep slopes. Retaining native trees, shrubs and grasses on a site that is being developed can greatly reduce future erosion damage, and offset the cost of preserving them.
- Streamside and wetland vegetation is particularly valuable for filtering sediment (and chemical contaminants). Conserving a natural wetland, within or next to a new development, can provide valuable stormwater detention, which helps to prevent flood damage. Wetlands can also become attractive centrepieces in a public greenspace or park.
- Soil that has been compacted by heavy pedestrian traffic is more prone to erosion. Well built trails, set back from the edge of streams, can minimize this problem. Lookouts, boardwalks and wildlife viewing areas can then be used to provide access to the water in key locations that are not susceptible to erosion.
- Machinery and vehicles also compact soils. Care should be taken during construction activities to limit and quickly remediate disturbed areas, for example by seeding with grass. When soil disturbance cannot be avoided, sediment cloth and temporary sediment ponds are examples of methods that can help control runoff of sediment into streams.
- The natural erosion of certain shorelines can be allowed to occur (without damage to property) if development is set back from the shoreline a minimum distance. This also prevents nearby beaches from becoming deprived of sediment.
- Reducing impervious surfaces is very helpful for preventing erosion damage in streams, as volume of runoff is thus greatly reduced. Permeable pavement, green roofs, and native plant gardens are just a few methods available.
- There are many agricultural practices that reduce erosion damage and limit the loss of valuable topsoil. Generally, practices that minimize tillage and irrigation are preferred.
- Bioengineering techniques can be used to control erosion. For example, "living fences," made from vegetation such as willow, help stabilize slopes, first with the structure of the fence and subsequently with growing plant roots.
- Instead of a seawall, use native vegetation to stabilize land on your shoreline property.
- When walking in the forest or along shorelines, stay on designated trails. "Short-cuts," especially on steep trails, create bare soil and potential channels for water – ideal erosion conditions.
Additional References & Links
Websites
- Stewardship Centre of BC
- Fish Habitat and the Effects of Silt and Sediment: Fisheries and Oceans
- The Ecology of Dams: Freeshell
- Shore Erosion and Ways to Prevent it: Living By Water
Articles
)© Image courtesy of Mary Sanseverino