Soil erosion is a concern not only for its impacts
on plant growth, but also for its impacts to water quality.
Wickford Cove Demonstration Site
Soil is the valuable natural resource
that nourishes and supports plant growth among many other
things. When soil
is left bare
and exposed, it can erode by both wind and water. In addition
to the loss of the valuable soil resource, wind erosion can
impact air quality and water erosion can result in gullies
or “washed
out” channels and sedimentation to down-slope areas.
For more information on soil erosion
control -
USDA
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Sediments that are transported to
storm drains and surface waters can choke aquatic life and
increase water temperatures. Various
pollutants such as bacteria, nutrients and heavy metals may
also be attached to these sediments, further threatening water
quality.
Shoreland
Buffers and Water Quality Protection
For more information on reducing
runoff
For more information on stormwater
basics
Wickford Cove Demonstration Site
Stabilizing the soil can be achieved through:
Home
Landscape Improvements for Water Quality Protection
Maintaining
a healthy, perennial vegetative cover.
Mulching.
Wickford Cove Demonstration Site
Increasing
soil organic matter.
Cover
cropping – such as winter rye in vegetable gardens.
Includes annual grasses, small grains, legumes and other types
of vegetation planted to provide a temporary vegetative
cover. Cover crops are often tilled under serving also as a “green
manure” crop.
Placing
crushed stone, wood chips, and other similar materials in heavily
used areas where vegetation is hard to establish and
maintain.
Davisville Demonstration Site
Other
temporary erosion controls that include the use of
geo-textile materials or other methods such as sodding or hydroseeding
that aid in the establishment of permanent vegetation.
These are especially effective on steep slopes and
heavy traffic areas. Contact your local landscape contractor.
RI Nursery and
Landscape Association.
Addressing
problem areas of concentrated stormwater
runoff. This may include
redirecting stormwater and roof runoff to areas that
can settle and dissipate water, such as rain
gardens or vegetated
buffer areas. This includes proper livestock
yard management.
Proper pasture
management for livestock and horses.
For more information on maintaining healthy vegetative
cover, and erosion and runoff control
Healthy Landscapes pages:
Choose the right plant for the right spot
Recyle your yard waste
Reducing runoff
Healthy Lawn Care
Livestock best management practices
Healthy Landscapes Demonstration
Sites
Cornell University Cover Crops Guide
USDA
Natural Resources Conservation Service
RI
Nursery and Landscape Association
