Coir Green™ (CG) products have proved useful in many different aspects of erosion control and horticulture/agriculture.
Soil Erosion Control
Soil erosion is a naturally occurring process, but human activity, such as construction and clearing of forests greatly increases the process. Luckily, soil erosion can be controlled or prevented with the use of CG’s CGgeo™(Geotextiles), CGblankets ) and CGbio™ (Biologs)
Soil erosion is usually caused by wind, water, or ice; by down-slope creep of soil and other material under the force of gravity; or by living organisms, such as burrowing animals, as well as by us humans. It is a serious problem globally, resulting in catastrophic damage to water, landscape, and wildlife. Repairing the effects of soil erosion can be difficult, time consuming, and expensive.
Global soil erosion destroys over 15 million acres of land each year and studies suggest that increased rainfall will lead to greater rates of erosion.
Erosion control involves the prevention or control of wind or water erosion in agriculture, land development, and construction. Most commonly, some form of physical barrier, such as vegetation or rock, is built to absorb some of the energy from the wind or water that is causing the erosion. Effective erosion controls are important techniques in the prevention of water pollution and soil loss.
Landslides and Slope Stabilization
Steep slopes, low soil fertility, unstable soils, compacted tills, flowing silts, and other adverse conditions are typical of many landslides globally. Restoration following landslides is a significant challenge; however, CG’s coir products, such as Geotextiles (CGgeo™) can be used to complement soil bioengineering or bio technical techniques. Slope stabilization and soil bioengineering can be used to provide a self-sustaining vegetation cover on many landslides and unstable slopes. For example, the use of grass and legume seeding for erosion control, or more complex slope stabilization with live cuttings and other plants, or even reinforced ground, such as concrete blocks. Today’s stabilization experts can produce results that are both effective and aesthetically pleasing.
Sea-bank and River-bank Stabilization
Water erosion is caused by two different actions, both of which can be controlled by CG products.
Firstly, erosion is caused by the movement of water across the riverbed (Hydraulic action). Secondly, the sediment being transported in the river wears away the riverbed (Abrasion) and the fragments themselves are ground down, becoming smaller and more rounded (Attrition).
Greater understanding of the role of vegetation would enable us to better utilize vegetation on stream and river banks to provide well integrated river system management.
New and innovative methods for recovery of stream-bank vegetation on persistently bare gravel bars include bioengineering techniques using CG natural coir products, CGgeo™ , CGblankets and CGbio™, which are used to stabilize sediments in the bank. This “bioengineering” or “soil bioengineering” is a collection of technologies mainly derived from European research and application over the last 200 years.
Horticultural Usage
Within the Horticulture industry, coir fibre and its extracts are regarded as good substitutes for many other commonly used products.
CG’s natural coir maintains excellent air porosity even after saturation. With a 96% pore space, it allows the water to drain easily, preventing water logging; yet at the same time, it allows it to hold a maximum amount of water (78%), which remains available at low tensions, to the plant’s requirement.
Coir products are therefore an excellent substitute for peat, enhancing the growing medium of many plants. Additionally, it can also be used to make pots in which to grow the plants.
