Grassed waterways are conservation measures managing concentrated flow, especially in agricultural areas: runoff concentrates over grassed areas rather than on bare erodible soil (after tillage). They are intended to reduce runoff velocity and soil erosion by grass roots binding the soil. They also help to enhance infiltration, filtering runoff and contribute to sediment and nutrient deposition.
Feasibility & Local Applicability
Probable using local species, like Zoysia, Pangola, and Bahia grasses.
Improves habitats, but can then also stimulate unwanted biodiversity (like mice)
Co-benefits
Biodiversity improvement, habitat creation. If implemented wide enough can reduce downstream nutrient loads, flooding.
Costs
Low
Literature
- Silva-Araya, W., & Rodríguez-Quiñones, E. (2023). Vegetative flow resistance for erosion control using grass species from the Caribbean region. Sustainability, 15(8), 6580.
- de Boer, R. A., Molenaar, R. E., Dankers, R., van Klaveren, S., de Rooij, B., & Verweij, P. (2023). Nature-based Solutions for flood resilience on Bonaire: A scoping study (No. 3292). Wageningen Environmental Research.