Bioengineering techniques for erosion control in rivers: age old techniques in constant progress

Abstract

Soil bioengineering techniques against erosion are very old techniques. The principle of the techniques is to use biological, physiological and physical abilities of plants to get solutions against soil erosion. Soil bioengineering techniques can be applied to riverbanks but also for other kinds of slopes, for ecological restoration or to prevent from natural hazards (avalanche...). Soil bioengineering applied to riverbanks is ruled by a specific regulation. Mechanical resistance of these works is hard to define accurately, and increase with time. New researches are currently done about ecological characterization of species already used and other quite news. At least, we can quote the recent creation of the French association for soil bioengineering for erosion control (AGEBIO) that aims to federate parties involved.