Saturday, April 29, 2017

The Benefits Derived From Erosion Control Blankets

By Ann Reynolds


This is a practice that involves application of materials especially organic materials to form some kind of temporary and protective cover for the soil. The practice can actually be implemented as pre-made blanket or even applied as mulch. When organic mulches are used to form blanket is very recommendable since it later decomposes to form manure. Erosion control blankets are quite useful in some critical areas like swales, slopes steeper and long channels.

This practice or method is mainly used for controlling loss of soil caused by water as a result of heavy rains. Mulching or mats are effective techniques used in minimizing erosive effect of splash erosion. The mats are place on newly planted soil or bare lands. The use of mats usually stabilizes the covered soil and protects the seeds that are planted. The chances of sediments being introduced into your land are minimized and one can have a weed free farm.

There are quite a number of advantages associated with blankets as a means of soil erosion. The first advantage is the method is effective and efficient for controlling and curbing erosion and consequently stabilizing soil during and also after land alteration activities. Land alteration activities include mining activities, farming activities, exploration activities among others.

Mulching is also beneficial since it fosters or facilitates the growth of grass or vegetation, insulates the soil, reduce evaporation and eventually suppress weed growth. When there are heavy rains, there is a tendency of soil being displaced through splash loss. Using mulching method, one can protect or provide cover to the soil surface hence reducing the impact of raindrops forces and overland flow.

The blanket if properly installed will provide proper aeration to the soil as well as preventing loss of water by the soil. There are a few types of these mats that one can choose from. The first type is netting which can be natural fiber or synthetic mesh that is installed over exposed area to prevent soil from these areas from being eroded.

There are many types of products generally and readily available for controlling loss of soil to water and wind. The selection of products to build your mat will depend on the following factors. The first factor worth considering is duration required which basically includes long term usage or short usage. For short term usage, use materials that are known to decompose much faster so that by the time your seeds are germinating the material used as blanket is already decomposing.

The type of designs may vary depending on the type of material used. One of the designs is organic mulch which includes wood fiber and straw are considered very effective generally in preventing any kind of soil erosion. Shredded barks and bark chips all which are by products of wood or timber processing are often used or applied as landscape mulches.

Visual impact to people around the area should also be carefully considered. Do not use materials that are not environmental friendly. Synthetic materials are known to be biodegradable though their rate of decomposing is very slow compared to natural materials.




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