The Novel Application of a Geosynthetic as Vegetation Substrate for Ecological Restoration on Steep Concrete and Rock Slopes
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Conceptual Mechanism of Geosynthetic Vegetation Substrate (GVS)
2.2. GVS Composition
2.3. Test Setup
2.4. Test Methods
3. Results and Discussion
3.1. Sustained Vegetation Establishment
3.2. Leaf Length
3.3. Development of Root System
3.4. Biomass of Leaves and Roots
3.5. Deterioration of Mechanical Properties
3.6. Deterioration of Transmissivity
4. Conclusions
- The eight-month outdoor vegetation growth experiment has validated the significant ecological restoration potential of the proposed geosynthetic vegetation substrate (GVS) on 73° steep engineered slopes. This study demonstrates that the GVS system effectively sustains vegetation health through tall Fescue’s continuous low-temperature growth (0–10 °C), superior annual fresh biomass production (2.99 kg/m2) with strong root thickness, and complete reproductive cycle evidenced by heading, collectively validating its engineering viability for steep slope restoration.
- The biodegradable layer, embedded with seeds via organic adhesives, creates a humid microenvironment to promote germination and gradually decomposes to release nutrients, so that significantly influences vegetation growth. Based on the aforementioned mechanism, the selection criteria for ecological restoration materials should emphasize biodegradable cover materials with three-dimensional porous architecture, superior hydroponic retention efficacy, and mechanical stability to satisfy the engineering requirements of vegetation rehabilitation.
- During the initial growth phase, plant roots penetrate the base layer. Over time, they form an interwoven root network beneath the GVS, rather than occupying the pore spaces between fibers. This root fixation can support the vegetation’s weight on slopes of 73°.
- Over the eight-month test period, the geotextile base layer’s tensile strength decreased by an average of 5.5%. Furthermore, vegetative shading mitigated strength loss, as samples with lower biomass accumulation exhibited more pronounced reductions.
- The transmissivity of the geotextile base layer decreased by 50–70% after the eight-month test. Based on the microscopic observation, the major cause of transmissivity deterioration was biological clogging, as very little root was observed between the geotextile fibers.
5. Limitation
Author Contributions
Funding
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
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Technique | Scope of Application | Disadvantages |
---|---|---|
Guest soil spraying | Suitable for gentle slopes of rock and concrete. | 1. The poor stability of the substrate 2. Rapid nutrient leaching 3. Substrate accumulation at the slope’s base |
Vegetation concrete | Suitable for rock and concrete slopes with a maximum inclination of 85 degrees. | 1. The risk of detachment 2. Diminishes the initial strength 3. Increases the alkalinity of the substrate 4. The lower part is submerged |
Planting bag | Suitable for concave areas on rock and concrete slopes with a maximum inclination of 65 degrees. | 1. Poor stability, results in slippage 2. Regular addition of fertilizer |
Property | Woven | Non-Woven |
---|---|---|
Apparent opening size O95 (mm) | 0.19 | |
Nominal mass (g/m2) | 730 | 250 |
Tensile strength (kN/m) | 300 | 19 |
Permittivity (sec−1) | 1 | 2 |
Samples | Base Layer | Biodegradable Cover Layer | Vegetation | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Woven | Non-Woven | Coconut Fiber | Tissue Paper | Pulp Paper | Tall Fescue | Bermuda Grass | |
G1 * | √ | √ | √ | √ | |||
G2 | √ | √ | √ | ||||
G3 * | √ | √ | √ | √ | |||
G4 | √ | √ | √ | ||||
G5 | √ | √ | √ | ||||
G6 | √ | √ | √ | ||||
G7 | √ | √ | √ | ||||
G8 | √ | √ | √ |
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Guo, J.; Qiu, T.; Chen, L.; Chen, Z.; Liu, Z.; Liao, J.; Chu, J.; Zhou, Y.; Zou, B. The Novel Application of a Geosynthetic as Vegetation Substrate for Ecological Restoration on Steep Concrete and Rock Slopes. Sustainability 2025, 17, 2444. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17062444
Guo J, Qiu T, Chen L, Chen Z, Liu Z, Liao J, Chu J, Zhou Y, Zou B. The Novel Application of a Geosynthetic as Vegetation Substrate for Ecological Restoration on Steep Concrete and Rock Slopes. Sustainability. 2025; 17(6):2444. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17062444
Chicago/Turabian StyleGuo, Jun, Tao Qiu, Leyao Chen, Zhuoxuan Chen, Zhao Liu, Jiajun Liao, Jingying Chu, Yunhui Zhou, and Bingfa Zou. 2025. "The Novel Application of a Geosynthetic as Vegetation Substrate for Ecological Restoration on Steep Concrete and Rock Slopes" Sustainability 17, no. 6: 2444. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17062444
APA StyleGuo, J., Qiu, T., Chen, L., Chen, Z., Liu, Z., Liao, J., Chu, J., Zhou, Y., & Zou, B. (2025). The Novel Application of a Geosynthetic as Vegetation Substrate for Ecological Restoration on Steep Concrete and Rock Slopes. Sustainability, 17(6), 2444. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17062444