Using Erosion Control Matting To Promote Plant Life

There are many different styles of erosion control matting solutions available today. They consist of specific mat material designed for a specific purpose. The steeper the slope, the better constructed the erosion control matting has to be to stay in place and produce the desired results.

Historically, workers would simply throw straw on a hill side and hope that erosion would be eliminated and vegetation would take place. With today's regulations, requirement and concerns about the environment, this is rarely performed on slopes. Straw is still used and is effective on flat surfaces that are not prone to flooding. It can and is still used on slopes, but the straw is no longer just laid down. Today there are biodegradable netting materials or binding element applied to contain the straw and hold it in place. This is an effective way to control erosion on a very mild slope, usually not more the 1:4.

The greater the slope, the better the erosion control matting should be. On slopes of 1:3 to 1:2, coconut fiber mixed with straw has been shown to be very effective. Consequently, the steeper the slope, the better the binding material should be as well. Most types of this matting for this steepness of slope have a double biodegradable netting to hold the material in place.

For the really steep slopes or if more protection against downpours or channeling by runoff is needed, there are synthetic types of erosion control matting available, too. These last longer than those made of natural substances, but can still be made to break down if desired. These are known as geosynthetic materials. Many of them are made to break down when exposed to UV radiation. There are others that are made to be permanent. These are used in places that are almost vertical. In these cases, vinyl, chicken wire, and concrete can be used to stop erosion on a permanent basis. The downside to this method is that they are more expensive.

The best thing about all erosion control matting is that they come in rolls which makes them easy to layout and install.

By: Mark Sierra

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Additional information can be found regarding how silt fencing can be used to control erosion from getting out of hand. Check out the Dust Stop Zone for more Free information.