Consulting Engineers and Biologists in soil bioengineering. We provide practical solutions to counter river erosion and hillside soil erosion using living plants. Our office plans and elaborates means to stabilize, revive, manage and protect eco-systems such as rivercourses, riverbanks and special terrains.

Consigli da parte di biologi ed ingegneri sulle tecniche di ingegneria naturalistica (bioingegneria) per lottare contro l'erosione dei suoli. Protezione e sistemazione delle rive dei corsi d'acqua, delle scarpate e dei pendii stradali e ferroviari, rivitalizzazione di corsi d'acqua. Concezione e direzione dei progetti in eco-protezione e stabilizzazione dei suoli.

http://www.biotec.ch/


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Note added at 14 mins (2005-05-14 15:31:14 GMT)
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Naturalistic engineering is a literal translation of the
Italian term: Ingegneria Naturalistica. In other European countries the technique is entitled: Ingenieurbiologie, Genie Biologique, Ingenieria del Paisaje, Engenharia Biofisica, Soil Bioengineering ...

http://www.iucn.org/places/medoffice/CDForest/contenido/G/PD...


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Note added at 2 hrs 32 mins (2005-05-14 17:49:50 GMT)
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Q: What is Soil Bioengineering?
A: The use of living plant materials to stabilize soils.
We here at the District do this type of work for the stabilization of streambanks, lake shores, wildlife habitat restoration, windbreaks, and living snow fences. How does each of these fit into Soil Bioengineering? Let\'s take a look at them individually.
http://www.lewissoilandwater.com/bioengineering.htm

Soil Bioengineering is an established method of stabilizing or protecting eroded soils. It is unique in that plants and plant parts (roots, stems) are used as the main structural components to reinforce the soil and to provide protection. Soil bioengineered structures rely on living or dead plant materials and can act as drains and prevent earth movement. The techniques outlined in this manual use woody plants that root from dormant cuttings. There are effective methods of using wetland or herbacious plants, coir logs, and pre-grown plant mats in soil bioengineering for lake shores and river banks. These methods are not listed in this manual because they can be more complex and costly, making them unsuitable for the active volunteer.

There are many benefits associated with using soil bioengineered structures. The roots, stems and associated foliage from the cuttings used to build the structures form a protective vegetative cover that reinforces the soil and protects it from erosion. Because these structures are created with living vegetation, they grow stronger and more effective with age. This is in direct contrast to inert structures (gabions, concrete and sheet piling) which weaken and crumble with age. The root systems of the living structures penetrate the soil, providing substantial strength and resistance to movement.

http://collections.ic.gc.ca/streams/tech/S-engineering.html