Modifying soil properties with herbaceous plants for natural flood risk-reduction

• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoleng.2022.106668
• Publication Date: 2022-05-13T10:53:35Z
• Authors: D. Boldrin; J.A. Knappett; A.K. Leung; J.L. Brown; K.W. Loades; A.G. Bengough
• Keywords: Herbaceous plant

Nature-based solutions to engineering challenges are essential limit climate change impacts on the urban environment. Quantitative understanding of multiple "engineering functions" provided by soil-plant interactions different species is needed for selection and re-establishing natural processes affected urbanisation. Contrasting herbaceous (legumes, grasses, forbs) were selected grown as monoculture or mix in soil columns a five-month growing season. Saturated hydraulic conductivity was initially tested each column, then monitored three-weeks evapotranspiration. Water loss, matric suction, penetrometer resistance measured. Finally, aggregate stability water retention. vegetated generally larger than that fallow (6.9e−6 ± 1.4e−6 m/s soil). significantly between (e.g., from 9.9e−6 1.3e−6 Festuca ovina 3.9e−5 1.2e−6 Lotus corniculatus) negatively correlated with specific root length. The stored efficiently removed plant transpiration (> 60% evapotranspiration). Large changes structure observed soil, significant increases strength, stability, alteration retention properties. Multiple influence optimising nature-based bioretention barriers). Substantial scope exists choose mixes manipulate hydro-mechanical Enhanced biodiversity did not compromise services removal), may have benefits.