QLK5-CT-2001-00289 ECO-SLOPES: Eco-engineering and conservation of slopes for long-term protection from erosion, landslides and storms

Contacts
Website: www.ecoslopes.com
Further Information



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Type of Project	Cost-sharing contract
Contract No	QLK5-CT-2001-00289
Total Cost	3,820 KEuro
EC Contribution	2,440 KEuro
Start Date	1-6-2001
Duration	40 Months

Abstract

Recent catastrophic landslide and storm events in Europe, resulting in the loss of human life and irreparable damage to rural communities, illustrate a huge need for improved management of unstable slopes in both urban and natural environments. Current geo-engineering measures, involving the use of reinforcing techniques offer an expensive solution to the problem, and can only be used in high-risk, accessible areas. In this multidisciplinary project, the stabilizing and reinforcing effects of vegetation on natural and artificial slopes will be examined with a view to developing adequate management strategies and new techniques for the prevention of such disasters. The relationship between tree and woody plant architecture, root anchorage and root reinforcernent will be investigated and correlated to soil mechanical and physical properties, as well aslope stability.

A study of European legislation with regards to slope stability and safety was carried out. The efficiency of natural constructions designed to stop the path of falling rocks and landslides was evaluated. Tree instability may aggravate soil movement, therefore, tree pulling tests have been carried out, to determine tree resistance to mechanical loading. Root system architecture and material properties are being correlated to tree overturning moment. Results provide important information as to how tree anchorage is affected by architecture. As the interaction between roots and soil is extremely important for fixing the latter, root pull-out tests and soil shear strength have been measured. Root morphology has been described.

On a larger scale, the impact of forest vegetation on soil fixation, erosion, and water-flow has been measured in sites where existing data can be exploited. The removal of plantation trees, and the impact of repeated forest fires on slope degradation has been evaluated, along with the recovery of the ecosystem and consequences for erosion. Data is being supplied to models of slope and tree stability, tree architecture and forest stand dynamics. Software was developed developed to provide tools for a newly emerging generation of eco-engineers, in the form of a Slopes Decision Support System.

Coordinator

INRA - Laboratoire de Rheologie du Bois de Bordeaux, France

Partners

• Università degli Studi del Molise, Italy
• LRBB - CIRAD, France
• School of Built Environment, Nottingham Trent University, UK
• Cemagref, Saint-Martin-d'Héres cedex, France
• National Agricultural Research Foundation (NAGREF), Greece
• Forestry Commission, NRS Roslin, UK
• Section Vakgroep Fysische Geografie en Bodemkunde, Universiteit van Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Centro de Investigaciones sobre Desertification, Spain

Contacts

Contact

• Alexia STOKES / Laboratoire de Rheologie du Bois de Bordeaux UBI/CNRS/INRA/CIRAD / FRANCE