Soil erosion is a serious threat to global ecosystems. Under the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the National Resources Conservation Service estimates that over 10 million hectares of cropland are lost due to erosion of the topsoil. This comes at a high cost of $44.39 billion.
Erosion can occur in healthy forests, but only at very slow rates of approximately 300 pounds per acre per year. The slow rates are due to the increased vegetative cover protecting the ground from surface runoff. Construction sites, on the other hand, are notorious for exposing soils to agents of erosion.
The heavy machinery churns up the ground, leaving behind large mounds of soil exposed to wind, water, and gravitational forces. Over the last decade, contractors and property owners have been put on the spot, with the relevant agencies demanding the establishment of erosion control measures to rein in the problem.
Hydroseeding as Part of Erosion Control Services
Erosion occurs when the topsoil is moved from one area to another through natural or human-made factors. Vegetative establishment remains an effective corrective measure with contractors looking towards hydroseeding as part of their erosion control services.
Hydroseeding is a machine application process where a landscaper sprays a slurry mixture of grass seeds, mulch, tackifiers, and fertilizer through a pressurized system. The hydroseeding contractor pours the slurry evenly over the freshly prepared ground, with the seeds germinating within three to seven days. The vegetative cover then has the potential to protect the ground against raindrop impact, surface runoff, and wind pressures.
Let’s take a look at the benefits of using hydroseeding as an erosion control measure.
1. Quicker Turnaround
With loose soil particles present across the entire construction site, contractors are often racing against time to put in place solutions that prevent erosion. The quicker germination of seeds through hydroseeding provides an effective soil cover. The slurry binds to the freshly-prepared ground almost instantaneously, stabilizing the soil and helping the seeds take root.
2. Efficiency
Choosing hydroseeding as part of your erosion control services package gives you greater control over your corrective measures. Standard methods that use hay to keep the grass seeds in place would be blown away or eaten by birds. The slurry mix contains bonding agents that keep the seeds in place with a more uniform distribution. The colored dyes help hydroseeding contractors identify areas missed while spraying.
3. Cost-Effective
Hydroseeding is relatively inexpensive as compared to other erosion control services. At a quarter of the price of traditional sodding, hydro grass is an excellent choice for landscape contractors. You can quickly support the growth of an effective vegetative cover at a fraction of the cost.
4. Versatility
Hydroseeding can work practically in a more diverse range of environments, including residential lawns, hill stabilization programs, and commercial vegetation restoration, to name a few. Hydroseeding companies also allow you to choose from native grass species that are better suited for growth in your region.
Erosion control services are vital in mitigating the effects of losing the arable topsoil to the wind and surface runoff. Erosion control specialists recommend the use of hydroseeding as a fast and cost-effective solution to rein in the problem. Pyramid Environmental Services, LLC is a hydroseeding contractor in Arizona that can help you preserve your landscape by providing effective erosion control solutions.