Soil erosion is a natural process, often exacerbated by human activities – mainly the ones that involve removing of vegetative cover.
Whether the purpose of removing the cover is to prepare land for agricultural use, or to prepare it for a construction project, ultimately, it all contributes to soil erosion.
Yes, much like many other human activities, construction also accounts for soil erosion on a massive scale. According to one study, urban construction projects produce more than forty tons per acre of erosion each year in the United States.
That’s a lot, considering, we are only talking about urban development projects.
It’s therefore important for environmentally-responsible construction contractors to be concerned about soil erosion before starting a construction project.
But what can contractors do to reduce erosion on construction sites?
Below, we’ve highlighted few strategies that are quite simple to execute and yet very effective in terms of controlling soil erosion.
Plant temporary seeding
Temporary seeding refers to the practice of planting vegetation materials that are known to grow quickly. Examples of such vegetation materials include small grains, legumes and annual grasses.
The planted vegetative cover acts as a canopy for the soil and protects it against wind and water energy. The rooting system of these plants further reinforces the overall protection by firmly holding the soil particles together.
Utilize existing vegetation as a cover
Perhaps the best solution in terms of vegetative protection is utilizing existing site vegetation as a cover.
When starting a construction project, identify the grasses, shrubs and trees that do not interfere with your construction process and make sure they are left undisturbed. The more vegetation area you preserve, the less area you leave exposed to erosion.
Install inlet protection around storm drains
Construction sites often drain towards pipes, ditches and inlet that together comprise the assembly of a typical stormwater drainage system. Installing inlet protection around these pipes, ditches and inlets can keep soil run offs at bay, and protect local streams from being contaminated with soil particles.
Use erosion control blankets to cover soil
In soil-rich areas where temporary seeding is not an option (for any reason), constructors can also use erosion control blankets to protect these areas from erosion. Control blankets provide ideal short-term and long-term protection against soil erosion and are quick to deploy.
Making sure our ecosystem is not disturbed because of our activities is a responsibility each and every one of us must share. The construction industry can play its part by preserving nature and controlling soil erosion on construction sites.
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