Natural-Fiber Erosion-Control Fabrics

Geotextiles have long been used for erosion control on construction sites and along new roads and eroded streambanks. An open matting material is laid down, pinned into the ground, and seeded with grass or other vegetation. Many geotextiles in use today are woven polypropylene or polyethylene, which have the disadvantage of being non-biodegradable. From an environmental stand- point, biodegradable fabrics, that will become part of the soil as the slope stabilizes, are generally preferred. There is also evidence that natural fiber fabrics actually do a better job of preventing erosion, because they retain moisture themselves and soften to follow the contours of the soil as they get wet.

There are a number of biodegradable geotextiles on the market. The most common are blanket-like fabrics made from straw and wood fiber. Belton Industries manufactures open-weave fabrics, both from synthetics and from natural jute or coir. Jute is a fiber made from either of two East Indian plants of the linden family,