Stabilization of soil slope using geosynthetic mulching mat

Abstract

In this study, a mulching mat was devised to contain seeds as a part of a mulching mat system, which consisted of a non-woven geotextile, a jute net and a geotextile mat. The mulching mat produced gave good plant growth and adequately stabilized soil slopes. Relationships between rainfall and runoff, runoff water and suspended sediment and other effects of the mulching mat were monitored in eight plots fitted with mulching mats and containing plants for one year. The amount of runoff water increased with precipitation increment in all test plots, and the runoff water of mulching mat treated plots was smaller than that of untreated plots. The total amount of suspended sediments was greatly affected by the amount of runoff water. The use of mulching mats proved effective at physically stabilizing slopes by preventing sediment movement, and they markedly contributed to the growth of plants by improving the environmental conditions particularly during dry periods. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.