A Biomechanical Study of Potential Plants for Erosion Control and Slope Stabilization of Highland in Thailand

Warakorn Mairaing, Apiniti Jotisankasa (), Nisa Leksungnoen (), Monir Hossain, Chatchai Ngernsaengsaruay, Prem Rangsiwanichpong, Jarunee Pilumwong, Sony Pramusandi, Surat Semmad and Abu Noman Faruq Ahmmed
Additional contact information
Warakorn Mairaing: Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering at Kamphaeng Saen, Kasetsart University, Nakhon Pathom 73140, Thailand
Apiniti Jotisankasa: Department of Civil Engineering, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
Nisa Leksungnoen: Department of Forest Biology, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
Monir Hossain: Department of Civil Engineering, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
Chatchai Ngernsaengsaruay: Department of Botany, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
Prem Rangsiwanichpong: Department of Water Resources Engineering, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
Jarunee Pilumwong: Highland Research and Development Institute (Public Organization), Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Sony Pramusandi: Department of Civil Engineering, State Polytechnic of Jakarta, Depok City 16425, Indonesia
Surat Semmad: Department of Construction Engineering, Rajamangala University of Technology Tawan-Ok, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Abu Noman Faruq Ahmmed: Department of Plant Pathology, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 15, 1-19

Abstract: Soil bioengineering provides a sustainable method for erosion control and soil slope stabilization using vegetation with multiple co-benefits. This study evaluated ten plant species in Thailand’s highland regions for their soil bioengineering potential and additional benefits. Root architecture, tensile strength, and Young’s modulus were measured to compare biomechanical traits. G. sepium , F. griffithii , P. americana , B. asiatica , and C. arabica exhibited H-type roots with wide lateral spread, while M. denticulata and C. officinarum had VH-type roots with deep taproots and wide lateral extent. A. sutepensis showed M-type roots with most root matrix in the top 0.3 m, where C. cajan and C. sinensis had R-type roots with deep, oblique growth. Most species showed a negative power relationship between the root strength and Young’s modulus with the root diameter except C. cajan that showed a positive correlation. P. americana , F. griffithii , C. officinarum , and C. arabica showed relatively high values of 1 mm root tensile strength (exceeding 24 to 42 MPa), while M. denticulata , G. sepium , and B. asiatica exhibited intermediate root tensile strength (ranging from 8 to 19 MPa). A. sutepensis , C. cajan , and C. sinensis demonstrated the lowest root tensile strength, up to 7 MPa. It is advised to plan slope vegetation by selecting diverse plant species with varying root structures and benefits, addressing both engineering and socioeconomic needs of the sustainable nature-based solution.

Keywords: soil bioengineering; root biomechanics; root architecture (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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