Bioengineering applies to countless industries, including architecture, construction and health care. The field strives to use natural systems, living organisms and biological knowledge to develop technology and innovations. Sometimes, innovators even make human-made constructs act like plants and other organic beings.
Bioengineering is a deeply creative field and invaluable for preventing soil erosion amid climate change. What methods are used to improve the lives of architects and construction professionals?
Bioretention Systems
Bioretention systems leverage soil and plants to handle stormwater. It collects and captures it safely while treating it. Raging waters put a lot of pressure on the earth, disrupting its structure and tearing it apart by seeping into small gaps. These systems stop water from flowing and pool instead. Then, it can infiltrate the ground at a more reasonable pace and regenerate underground reservoirs. Here are several types of biofiltration systems:
- Rain gardens
- Road medians
- Parking lot islands
- Tree box filters
Architecture professionals benefit from this erosion control method because they are versatile. They work in urban and rural areas and can even enhance a building’s aesthetic appeal. Buildings working on sustainability objectives can add this to their list of eco-friendly improvements.
Vegetated Retaining Walls
Retaining walls can be made of plants, and they are extremely effective at erosion control. They stabilize slopes, which suffer from wind, heavy rain and landslides. Vegetated retaining walls have deep root systems holding them in place. They grip the soil and prevent erosion and water from going too far.
Similar to bioretention systems, vegetated retaining walls are visually pleasing. Conventional walls are effective, but they use heavy and bland-looking materials that can unintentionally damage the soil below.
Vegetated retaining walls were the focal point of a success story in North India. The region was familiar with concrete versions, but they weren’t working. Erosion continued as the exposed slopes slipped away during heavy rains and landslides. Bioengineering saved the day when a government-sponsored initiative installed wire mesh nets and plants to serve the same purpose. It only took one season for the plants to dig their roots deep into the earth, protecting nearby villages.
Coir Logs and Blankets
Coir logs are innovative erosion control devices made of coconut fibers. They work best on shorelines by dealing with the brunt of energy from tidal waters. They also work well on freshly seeded areas, allowing plants to take root. It secures yields while promising a healthy growth cycle.
Additional geoengineering methods may be necessary depending on the landscape of the surrounding topography. Geosynthetics and coir are frequently used in steep slope stabilization, making it more durable.
Living Shorelines
Most imagine a beach-like shoreline, where the line between sand and water is blurred. It’s accessible, allowing the water to grab any on-land litter and runoff to enter waterways easily. Living shorelines consist of plants, sand or rocks. They may also include oyster reefs.
Those working in habitat preservation and restoration benefit immensely from these resources. It discourages human interference in the area, while fostering biodiversity on land and in the water. They have been a lifeline for healing Florida’s Gulf Coast, making it safer for species to flourish in early life stages than before.
Green Roofs
How could a rooftop garden prevent soil erosion? Water, snow and wind could ruin a building’s foundation as it falls to the ground. Vegetation on a roof absorbs rainwater and is a small shield from wind.
Green roofs are massively beneficial for infrastructure because they increase energy efficiency. The plants absorb heat, allowing better control of internal temperatures. They can also improve the quality of life of people who frequent the building, interacting more regularly with nature.
Sturdier Soils
High winds and landslides are only a few influences on soil stability. Everything from pollution, tourism and animals alters its strength. Humans can help by reinforcing it with modern bioengineering methods. The benefits of bioengineering for erosion control protect agriculture and crop yields, coastlines, and biodiversity. Boosting soil makes the planet healthier in an age where climate resilience is crucial.
