Abstract
Adding a surface rock layer (also called rock armor or rock mulch) to constructed slopes improves erosion resistance but has had mixed effects on revegetation. This study investigated the effects of rock layer depth (no rocks, 10-, 15-, and 20-cm rock layers) and rock size (5–20 cm diameter rocks) on vegetation cover. Seeding was applied four times in the first 2 years. After 3 years, plots with a rock layer averaged 7% vegetative cover compared to 85% on plots without a rock layer. There was a nonsignificant trend toward less vegetation with a deeper rock layer.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 253-256 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Arid Land Research and Management |
Volume | 32 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs |
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State | Published - Apr 3 2018 |
Keywords
- Constructed slopes
- Sonoran desert
- rock armor
- rock depth
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Soil Science