Comparison of Soil Erosion Control by Mulch and Cultivated Grass

Abstract

Soil erosion has deteriorated water quality and caused land degradation. As human industrialization quickens, the effects of soil erosion are getting worse. Therefore, it is essential to have an effective mitigation measure at hand to solve this problem. In this research, two types of erosion control methods were compared to determine their effectiveness in controlling soil erosion. The two methods used were mulch made from dried grass clippings and grass cultivation grown with Axonopus compressus or more commonly known as cow grass. The plots were placed under five rainfall events together with a control plot. The runoff volume, turbidity and total suspended solids (TSS) from the plot discharges were tested and compared. The effectiveness of each erosion control method under different rainfall conditions were also evaluated. Results indicated that the mulch plot produced a lower runoff volume but the grass plot did manage to improve performance over time. The turbidity of both plots were similar. The TSS produced by the grass plot was lower than the mulch plot in 4 out of the 5 testing periods. The grass plot also performed better in longer duration and high intensity rainfall events. The mulch was able to produce similar results with the grass in short duration, low or moderate intensity rainfall events. As a conclusion, the grass cultivation is a more effective erosion control method when compared to the mulch.