An open access database of plant species useful for controlling soil erosion and substrate mass movement

Abstract

Due largely to anthropogenic activities and extreme climate events, the risk of shallow landslides and erosion has increased enormously over the last decade. Although the planting of vegetation is widely acknowledged as improving soil conservation on slopes, how to plant and manage a vegetated slope over time can be problematic. Correct identification of the mass-wasting process and site characterization is necessary before choosing the plant species best suited to a site. To aid the site manager choose the most appropriate species, we have developed a database containing species sorted by their utility for retaining soil on slopes subject to shallow landslides, wind and water erosion. The list of species was compiled from the literature and suitability is based on ecological attributes, shoot and root traits. The database is open to experts who can add new information via a website, whereas the general public can access the data freely: http://publish.plantnet-project.org/project/stability_en.