Prioritizing Native Tree Planting Can Mitigate Landslide Dangers Due to Heavy Rains [Study]

With the frequency of rains, flooding and landslides are the main threats for communities, particularly in flood-prone or low-lying areas. Understanding landslide threats will provide effective ways to mitigate the impact of weather risks.

Landslides are of dangerous weather events, that can lead a significant damage to lives and properties. While forecasts are helpful to predict, communities are at risk of severe weather threats, particularly landslides.

However, widespread deforestation makes communities vulnerable to storms and landslides. In a recent report, trees can help mitigate the impacts of storms, reducing the threats of flooding. The decline in native trees can have significant effects on cities and wildlife

Native Tree Planting in Addressing Landslide Hazards and Erosion

Climate change can cause challenging to extreme weather events, including the following:

• hurricanes
• storms
• severe weather

In a new report, researchers from the University of Sydney discovered the role of native trees and shrubs in dealing with landslide concerns. Ph.D. candidate, Jiale Zhu, conducted the study, and he is also from the University of Sydney.

The study findings were published in Acta Geotechnica, studying how trees and shrubs can significantly reinforce sloping terrain, and potentially mitigate the risk of landslide and soil erosion during heavy rain conditions.

The researcher observed the native trees mostly found in East Coast Australia, noting the role of Sydney gum, blueberry ash, narrow-leaf scribbly gum, coastal banksia, and crimson bottlebrush. With the said trees, it can promote stabilizing shallow slopes, which plants help reinforce the slope. Unlike the other methods of steel mesh, plants can offer a natural approach to reduce landslide risks.

"Plants provide a sustainable, natural approach to slope reinforcement, compared to artificial methods, such as steel mesh or sprayed concrete. They also create and maintain crucial habitat," Zhu said, as quoted in a report.

As La Nina conditions return, wet weather patterns can become more common or extreme, causing heavy precipitation. The study suggested the government's role in prioritizing planting native stress that can reinforce and enhance slopes. Additionally, communities can consider planting trees near their areas, which can offer added protection against landslides.

"Sometimes, nature offers the best solution. Prioritizing native planting would be a quicker way to achieve the NSW Government's 2036 green cover index, opening new sites for regreening that directly benefit critical infrastructure, homes, and crucial river systems," Zhu added.

Planting of trees: Beneficial for Wildlife and Fight for Climate Change

As lands are being converted to agricultural or commercial areas, planting trees can save many species suffering from habitat loss and climate change. Recent reports reveal that trees are crucial in fighting climate change and improving air quality.

It can also mitigate the impacts of global warming, benefiting animals and human populations.

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