Role of passive protection played by forest vegetation against erosion and rockfalls

Abstract

Forest vegetation can play a significant role of "passive" protection against certain natural hazards, i.e. that it can reduce the impact of a hazard after this hazard began. This type of vegetation action can be observed when erosion or rockfalls occur. Thus, it seems interesting to seek to quantify this protection role. Two research programs have then been initiated about these hazards. In both cases, real size experiments have been carried out and show, in qualitative and quantitative ways, the impact of vegetation barriers on sediments as well as rocks. First results show the possibility to determine management rules for problems of erosion and rockfalls by the mean of ecological engineering.