Revegetation in Poor Soils and Harsh Climates

Achieving full vegetation in poor soils or when faced with harsh climates can be a challenge. This presentation will discuss some tips on achieving successful vegetation in the face of harsh conditions. To be discussed in this presentation are the solutions for compacted soils, loose sandy soils, and heavy clay soils. Additionally the techniques to utilize when facing drought conditions or excessive temperature extremes. The first project to be discussed will be a landfill project in central Texas. This site had a previous erosion control success using a fully synthetic Turf Reinforcement Mat, but a failure of that product to vegetate beyond 30-40% in the three years post installation. Switching to a permanent Turf Reinforcement Mat with a biodegradable fiber substantially improved the vegetation success on the site, as well as continuing to provide more than sufficient permanent erosion control. Attention to be paid when discussing this project will be on the temperature mitigation at the soil level such a product provided, as well as the additional benefit of reducing evapotranspiration over a fully synthetic product. Second project to be discussed is a large roadway project in Florida where some unique soil preparation was tested on the loose soils that were faced on the site. Examples of issues faced at a variety of other project sites, from Mexico to Alaska will be included. All discussion will center on how there is not one panacea to all challenges faced, but that there are a variety of tools to have in the toolbox when addressing difficult sites.