Title: Riverbank Protection Using Willows - Scoping Study
Author: C Thorne
Author: I Amarasinghe
Author: J Gardiner
Author: C Peral-Gadiner
Author: R Sellin
Author: Environment Agency
Document Type: Monograph
Annotation: Environment Agency Project ID:EAPRJOUT_512, Representation ID: 175, Object ID: 1851
Abstract:
Under the Water Resources Act 1991, the National Rivers Authority had a duty to promote the conservation and enhancement of the natural beauty and amenity of inland and coastal-waters, and the conservation of flora and fauna dependent on the aquatic environment. This requirement was carried forward to the Environment Agency under the Environment Act, 1995. This scoping study examined the existing information and data that had been gathered on a world-wide basis, on the potential for and limitations of using vegetation for bank stabilisation, concentrating on the use of willows. The study was not intended to carry out any original research work, but to draw together existing knowledge from other researchers and practitioners in the UK and abroad, and in particular identify, clearly and concisely, areas where further research work should be concentrated. The study covered three main topics: - FIow Erosivity. This covered the effect of bankside vegetation on retarding velocities of main channel flow adjacent to a river bank, and its consequent effect on channel capacity. Floodplain conveyance was also covered in this topic; - Bank Erodibility and Stability. This examined the potential for soils to erode and how vegetation could affect this potential. This covered the effects of soil properties, plant health and bank hydrology on vulnerability of soil to erosion. On a slightly larger scale, this topic also addressed the positive effects of buttressing, and the negative effects of surcharge and wind loading on bank stability when the bank is considered as an entity; and, - Bank Accretion. This addressed the problem of bankside vegetation encouraging siltation, which leads gradually to reduced channel conveyance. In addition large vegetation can create a source of large woody debris in a channel, again with the potential to reduce capacity, especially at existing bottlenecks. The study included a comprehensive literature review, and the text contains many crossreferences to other work. In addition a bibliography is provided for further information on matters not specifically referred to in the report text. The report summarises the currently available information on vegetation, and particularly on willows, and identifies, under the three topics listed above (but covering eleven separate subtopics), a total of 35 separate areas which are recommended for future research.
Publisher: Environment Agency
Subject Keywords: Rivers; Riverbanks; Streams; Flow rate; Erosion control; Aquatic plants; Freshwater ecology
Taxonomic Keywords: Salix
Extent: 125
Permalink: http://www.environmentdata.org/archive/ealit:4455
Total file downloads: 295
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