Quantifying the mechanical and hydrologic effects of riparian vegetation on streambank stability

Abstract Riparian vegetation strips are widely used by river managers to increase streambank stability, among other purposes. However, though the effects of vegetation on bank stability are widely discussed they are rarely quantified, and generally underemphasize the importance of hydrologic processes, some of which may be detrimental. This paper presents results from an experiment in which the hydrologic and mechanical effects of four riparian tree species and two erosion‐control grasses were quantified in relation to bank stability. Geotechnical and pore‐water pressure data from streambank plots under three riparian covers (mature trees, clump grasses and bare/cropped turf grass) were used to drive the ARS…

• AR
  Agricultural Research Service
• UA
  U.S. Army Corps of Engineers