Using Vetiver Grass System Using Vetiver Grass System to protect Water from to protect Water from

Sedimentation and other Sedimentation and other PollutionPollution

Mohammad H. Golabi Mohammad H. Golabi Professor of Soil and Environmental SciencesProfessor of Soil and Environmental Sciences

College of Natural and Applied College of Natural and Applied SciencesSciences

University of GuamUniversity of GuamPresented at the Presented at the 70 70thth Annual SWCS Annual SWCS

Greensboro, NCGreensboro, NC

The Basic concept of Vetiver Grass Technology The Vetiver Grass Technology (VGT), in its most

common form, is simply the establishment of a

narrow (less than 1 meter wide) live stiff vetiver

grass barrier, in the form of a hedge, across the

slope of the land.

When applied correctly the technology is effective

on slopes from less than 1 to over 100%. A

well-established Vetiver grass hedge will slow down

rainfall runoff, spreading it out evenly, and will trap

runoff sediments to create natural terraces.

In addition its massive root system will increase the

shear strength of soil (thus providing improved stability

of soils on steep slopes).

VETIVER SYSTEMS APPLICATIONS

••Soil and Water Conservation •Land Reclamation •Slope Stabilization •Disaster Mitigation •Interface between Water and Structures •Improved Water Quality and Remediation

of Polluted Sites •Agricultural Uses •Other Uses

Physiological Characteristics

Tolerant to: Cold and hot weather Fire Water logging, inundation Salinity Acidity/Alkalinity Aluminum and Manganese Heavy metals Herbicides/Pesticides

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

(Its Root System)

Deep, Dense and Penetrating Root System

One yearplants

3m deepRoots

Courtesy of:Richard Grimshaw, ChairmanThe Vetiver Network

The Vetiver Network

Six Month old Vetiver plant – Dakar, Senegal. In the background, Vetiver planted “by the meter” or in strips to speed up transplanting in erosion control sites.

The Vetiver Network

Extensive and Deep Root Systems Venezuela case display

Some other Uses

Waste Water Treatment

Vetiver Systems for Treating Wastewater and for PollutionControl

The Vetiver Network

For Slope Stabilization and Agro forestry(Venezuela)

Agro forestry

Slope Stabilization

Dr. Golabi participating in an Agro-forestry project in Venezuela

Different uses in In China

use in landfillFor sewage water treatment and pollution control

Slope Stabilization and watershed management

Use of Vetiver Grass Technology for Watershed Management and

Sediment Control at the River Banks and Shorelines

End Goal

Stop Erosion From Source Stop Major Sediment Outfalls

Coral Reef Degradation As the Result of Severe Soil Erosion

Photo (Anae Island, Guam) by David Burdick

Courtesy of Dr. Minton, NPS

Mud in Pauliluc Bay

Courtesy of Dr. Minton, NPS

Healthy Coral Reef

Photo (11 miles reef, Guam) by David Burdick

Courtesy of Dr. Minton, NPS

Converting Badlands to Green lands

Badland Six Months after Planting

USE OF VETIVER TECHNOLOGY FOR RIVER BANK PROTECTION AND SHORELINE EROSION CONTROL

Vetiver Systems for Flood ControlFlood protection of Sea Walls - Vietnam

2005

In 2005 Vietnam experienced its worst typhoons in 60 years. Trialplantings of Vetiver proved very effective in preventing breaching ofsea walls.

The Vetiver Network

Application of Delta Stabilization in theMekong Delta, VIETNAM

The Vetiver Network

Vetiver Systems - The Interface between Water andStructures

Vetiver hedgerows protecting the inside curve of a highway inMalaysia from river water damage

The Vetiver Network

What Is Vetiver GrassWhat Is Vetiver Grass

Scientific Name;Scientific Name; Vetiveria ZizanioidesVetiveria Zizanioides

Vetiver in Nature

Seedlings

Case Study I: X-Island Road Project

Use of Vetiver Technology to control erosion as a watershed management strategy for water quality improvement and natural resource preservation in southern Guam

Cross Island Road Project Cross Island Road Project (4treatments)(4treatments)

Burned Vetiver & Sunn Hemp

Tilled Natural Cover

Size and slope of the study plots Management

practices(Soil surface conditions)

Soil loss(tons/ha/yr)Area ha

Length m

Slope %

0.0037 21.95 12 Burn 14.13

0.0037 21.95 12 Vetiver 1.47

0.0037 21.95 12 Till 104.75

0.0037 21.95 12 Natural 5.22

Table 2: Annual Soil loss from each plot with different treatments.

Case Study II – Sedimentation Mitigation at the construction site near shoreline

Pago Bay Site

Pago Bay construction site before a big rain

Pago Bay construction site after a big rain

Mitigation Project

Showing runoff path

Showing runoff path cont’d

At maturity after 6 month

Time to cut

Cutting at hip height

Showing at work trapping sediment

More HedgesMore Hedges

A year later two additional hedges were planted to ensure healthy hedges for complete beach protection from

sedimentation and Erosion

A distant view of the ‘Green Wall’ protecting the ocean

Examples of Coastal Areas that could be protected and/or preserved by using Vetiver

System/ Technology

Coastal areas damaged by erosion that could be protected by using this technology

Coastal areas that could be protected and preserved using this technology

Thank You

Si Yuus MaaseSi Yuus Maase

Any Question?Any Question?

Six years after planting Six years after planting

Vetiver hedgesVetiver hedges