| ECO-SLOPES |
Eco-engineering and conservation of slopes for long-term protection from erosion, landslides and storms |
| Time span: |
June 2001 - September 2004 |
| Aim: |
The stabilizing and reinforcing effects of vegetation on natural and artificial slopes will be examined with a view to developing adequate management strategies and new techniques. |
| Description: |
Recent catastrophic landslide and storm events in Europe, resulting in the loss of human life and irreparable damage to rural communities, illustrate a huge need for improved management of unstable slopes in both urban and natural environments. Current geo-engineering measures, involving the use of reinforcing techniques offer an expensive solution to the problem, and can only be used in high-risk, accessible areas. In this multidisciplinary project, the stabilizing and reinforcing effects of vegetation on natural and artificial slopes will be examined with a view to developing adequate management strategies and new techniques for the prevention of such disasters. The relationship between tree and woody plant architecture, root anchorage and root reinforcement will be investigated and correlated to soil mechanical and physical properties, as well as slope stability. |
| Countries: |
Field sites in UK, Italy, France, Greece, Spain; partners in France, UK, the Netherlands, Greece, Italy and Spain |
Website:
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project website (www.ecoslopes.com) not working |
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Recent European research 
