Herbaceous Vegetation in Slope Stabilization: A Comparative Review of Mechanisms, Advantages, and Practical Applications
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Current Research on the Role of Herbaceous Plants in Slope Stability
2.1. Enhancing Topsoil Resistance
2.1.1. Mechanical Reinforcement
2.1.2. Reducing Shallow Landslides
2.1.3. Mitigating Shallow Erosion
2.2. Optimizing Hydrological Conditions
2.3. Advantages of Herbaceous Plants in Slope Stabilization
2.3.1. Enhanced Surface Protection
2.3.2. Rapid Establishment and Soil Improvement
2.3.3. Hydrological Regulation
3. Current Research on Herbaceous Plant Root Parameters
3.1. Root Distribution Characteristics
3.2. Root Geometry
3.3. Root Tensile Strength
4. Guidelines for Ecological Slope Engineering with Herbaceous Plants
4.1. Species Selection
4.2. Engineering Practice
5. Limitations and Future Directions in Plant-Based Slope Stabilization Research
5.1. Limitations in Current Research on Plant-Based Slope Stabilization
5.2. Advances in Understanding Root–Soil Interactions
5.3. Improved Modeling and Simulation of Herbaceous Plant Effects on Slope Stability
5.4. Integration of Herbaceous Plants with Other Bioengineering Techniques
6. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Woody Plants | Herbaceous Plants | Comparative Results | |
---|---|---|---|
Mechanical Reinforcement | -Sparse taproot systems | -Dense fibrous root systems | -Different reinforcement mechanisms and significant interspecies differences -Woody root systems excel in anchoring when penetrating potential shear planes -Dense fibrous root systems provide better reinforcement than sparse coarse roots -Appropriate species should be selected based on the slope habitat |
-Most roots penetrate deeply | -Most roots penetrate shallowly | ||
-High tensile strength of single roots | -High tensile strength of interwoven fibrous tissues | ||
-Anchoring effect | -Root reinforcement and surface-mat effect | ||
-Prone to slippage | -Effective in shallow soil reinforcement | ||
Optimization of Hydrological Conditions | -High individual plant transpiration capacity | -High overall transpiration capacity | -Woody plants generally outperform herbaceous plants -Significant interspecies differences |
-Root–soil gaps increase soil permeability | -High surface roughness increases soil permeability | ||
Impact on Aboveground Biomass | -Heavy weight increases slope load | -Light weight | -Significant interspecies differences |
-Causes slope damage under strong winds | -Strong wind resistance | ||
-Retains rainfall | -Retains rainfall and reduces raindrop splash erosion | ||
-Prevents direct contact between snow and surface soil | |||
Operability | -Low density | -High density | -Scientific management aids plant establishment -Reliability influenced by species and habitat differences -Quality of woodland or grassland affects slope stabilization effectiveness |
-Slow to take effect | -Quick to take effect | ||
-Low seasonal variability | -High seasonal variability | ||
-Slow response to management changes | -Quick response to management changes | ||
Economic Benefits | -Low maintenance requirements | -Regular management (e.g., mowing) | -Scientific management helps improve economic benefits |
-Timber | -Feed or biogas material | ||
-Economic forests | -Medicinal herbs |
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Gong, C.; Ni, D.; Liu, Y.; Li, Y.; Huang, Q.; Tian, Y.; Zhang, H. Herbaceous Vegetation in Slope Stabilization: A Comparative Review of Mechanisms, Advantages, and Practical Applications. Sustainability 2024, 16, 7620. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16177620
Gong C, Ni D, Liu Y, Li Y, Huang Q, Tian Y, Zhang H. Herbaceous Vegetation in Slope Stabilization: A Comparative Review of Mechanisms, Advantages, and Practical Applications. Sustainability. 2024; 16(17):7620. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16177620
Chicago/Turabian StyleGong, Chuangang, Dazhi Ni, Yuna Liu, Yalei Li, Qingmei Huang, Yu Tian, and Hao Zhang. 2024. "Herbaceous Vegetation in Slope Stabilization: A Comparative Review of Mechanisms, Advantages, and Practical Applications" Sustainability 16, no. 17: 7620. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16177620