Bio-Engineering and Erosion Control Systems

Bioengineering is becoming the most effective and widely used remediation method for erosion problems. Bio-engineering involves the use of vegetation in engineering design to protect natural terrain and man-made structures from soil erosion problems. Bio-engineering techniques provide practical and cost-effective solutions to many of the environmental concerns associated with infrastructure development. Slope stabilization and stream bank stabilization are main concerns of bioengineering applications and are resolved by moderating existing erosion and promoting the establishment of vegetation.

Sole Landscapes offers a comprehensive range of environmentally friendly products designed to combat erosion on a number of diverse sites, including remedial work on rivers, canals, ponds and wetland related projects. All the products are manufactured from natural materials and include:

The BioMac® Blanket

Biomac Non-Seeded is a quilted biodegradable coir blanket that provides full ground cover. The informally distributed coir fibres are evenly distributed and of a density sufficient to provide soil erosion protection whilst also encouraging new plant growth. Evenly distributed individual coir fibres are stitch quilted between upper and lower lightweight polymer grids (8g/m2 in 8mm x 10mm mesh). The density of the coir mix is such as to provide a full ground cover whilst allowing excellent plant establishment. 100% coir blankets for erosion control on steep banks. 2.4m x 50m / 1.5m x 60m. Available in non/pre-seeded options. Life expectancy 1-2 years.

Biomac Seeded is a quilted coir blanket that provides full ground cover. The mixed coir and straw matrix provides soil erosion protection and also carries the seeds for the generation of the future grass cover. Evenly distributed individual straw and coir fibres, of equal quantities, stitch quilted between an upper and lower lightweight polymer grid. The specified seeds are included at manufacture at 30g/m2. 50% straw and 50% coir blended erosion control blankets for slope, embankment and cutting applications. 2.4m x 25m.

We also supply a wide range of mild steel, wood and plastic fixing pins suitable for use on all our products.

Coir Logs and Pallets

Coir Logs and Pallets are manufactured in the UK and are an excellent technique for establishing marginal vegetation around lake edges, canals, streams and riverbanks. Coir logs are cost-effective, organic revetments that are a suitable alternative to hard revetments in many applications. Coir pallets provide an environmentally sound platform for plant and habitat establishment in water bodies.

Coir rolls are used in managing changes in stream flow velocity, for shaping channels, stabilizing shorelines or as a natural planting medium for vegetation. This prevents the wave energy from eroding more of the bank. Coir rolls are made of 100% coir fibre and bound by a coir netting lasting 4 to 10 years and has a high tensile strength. They can be easily installed and over time will blend naturally into the aquatic environment.

Coir rolls are installed at the mean annual water level and fixed with wooden stakes. Suitable plants of the banking or reeds zones can be inserted into the top part of the coir roll. Sediment deposited in and around the coir rolls provides an excellent growth medium for plants. As the coir rolls biodegrades, the plants develop a well established root system in the shoreline sediment to retain the soil in place.

Faggot Bundles

The faggot is a bundle of dead (normally willow) cuttings. Each cutting is approx. 2m long x 10-15mm diameter. All the cuttigns are bound together with wire or twine ties to form tight cylindrical units. Securely installed to the waters edge faggots are an effective method of erosion control.The normal functional life should exceed 3 years.