Soil-bioengineering to stabilize gravel roadside slopes in the steep Hyrcanian Forests of Northern Iran

IF 3.9 2区环境科学与生态学 Q1 ECOLOGY

Ecological Engineering Pub Date : 2025-02-20 DOI:10.1016/j.ecoleng.2025.107569

Soghra Keybondori , Ehsan Abdi , Azade Deljouei , Alessio Cislaghi , Zahed Shakeri , Vahid Etemad

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Soil-bioengineering techniques for stabilizing road cut and fill slopes based on indicator herbaceous and woody species in the Hyrcanian Forests of Northern Iran effectively reduce shallow landslide occurrences and improve overall slope stability. This study assessed the role of roots in stabilizing shallow soil layers by measuring the root biomechanical properties and root distribution of 13 indicator species, from cut and fill slopes. Our study identified Athyrium filix-femina and Pteris cretica as the most effective species for slope stabilization on cut slopes, providing root reinforcement values of 4538 Pa and 4513 Pa, respectively, and reducing slope instability by up to 18 %. On fill slopes, Sambucus ebulus and Phyllitis scolopendrium showed significant root reinforcement potential, reducing slope instability by up to 17 % and 18 %, respectively. Root systems of these species were primarily concentrated in the upper 0.1 m to 0.2 m of soil, providing simultaneously soil reinforcement and erosion control. Findings indicate that in the Hyrcanian Forest, where favorable climate conditions prevail, native pioneer species are particularly effective for slope stabilization, especially in areas without natural vegetation. Over time, this approach can restore disturbed areas, enhance biodiversity, and improve forest health. As a sustainable alternative to traditional engineering methods, soil-bioengineering offers forest managers a practical solution for reducing landslide risks while fostering ecosystem resilience. While these results highlighted the potential of herbaceous vegetation in mitigating slope failures, soil type and local climate may influence their effectiveness. Consequently, site-specific applications and further research needed to optimize vegetation selection for long-term slope stability. This study provided a framework for integrating native plants into soil-bioengineering techniques for forest road management, promoting environmental sustainability and ecosystem resilience.

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在伊朗北部陡峭的海卡尼亚森林中稳定碎石路边斜坡的土壤生物工程

伊朗北部海卡尼亚森林中基于指示草本和木本物种的公路采填边坡稳定土壤生物工程技术有效地减少了浅层滑坡的发生，提高了边坡的整体稳定性。本研究通过测量13种指标种的根系生物力学特性和根系分布，评价根系在稳定浅层土层中的作用。本研究发现，胸草胸草（Athyrium filix-femina）和翼草胸草（Pteris cretica）是在切坡上稳定边坡最有效的树种，它们的根系加固值分别为4538 Pa和4513 Pa，可减少高达18%的边坡不稳定性。在填土边坡上，三叶草（sambuus ebulus）和毛茛（Phyllitis scolopendum）表现出显著的根系加固潜力，分别减少了17%和18%的边坡不稳定性。这些树种的根系主要集中在土壤上部0.1 ~ 0.2 m处，具有加固土壤和控制侵蚀的双重作用。研究结果表明，在气候条件有利的海卡尼亚森林中，原生先锋物种对边坡稳定特别有效，特别是在没有自然植被的地区。随着时间的推移，这种方法可以恢复受干扰的地区，增强生物多样性，改善森林健康。作为传统工程方法的可持续替代方案，土壤生物工程为森林管理者提供了一种切实可行的解决方案，既可以减少滑坡风险，又可以增强生态系统的恢复能力。虽然这些结果强调了草本植被在减轻坡损方面的潜力，但土壤类型和当地气候可能会影响其有效性。因此，需要针对特定场地的应用和进一步的研究来优化植被选择，以实现边坡的长期稳定。该研究为将本土植物与森林道路管理的土壤生物工程技术相结合，促进环境可持续性和生态系统恢复力提供了一个框架。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Ecological Engineering 环境科学-工程：环境

CiteScore

8.00

自引率

5.30%

发文量

293

审稿时长

57 days

期刊介绍： Ecological engineering has been defined as the design of ecosystems for the mutual benefit of humans and nature. The journal is meant for ecologists who, because of their research interests or occupation, are involved in designing, monitoring, or restoring ecosystems, and can serve as a bridge between ecologists and engineers. Specific topics covered in the journal include: habitat reconstruction; ecotechnology; synthetic ecology; bioengineering; restoration ecology; ecology conservation; ecosystem rehabilitation; stream and river restoration; reclamation ecology; non-renewable resource conservation. Descriptions of specific applications of ecological engineering are acceptable only when situated within context of adding novelty to current research and emphasizing ecosystem restoration. We do not accept purely descriptive reports on ecosystem structures (such as vegetation surveys), purely physical assessment of materials that can be used for ecological restoration, small-model studies carried out in the laboratory or greenhouse with artificial (waste)water or crop studies, or case studies on conventional wastewater treatment and eutrophication that do not offer an ecosystem restoration approach within the paper.