Trio Of Experts Sings Praises Of Willow For Use On Slopes

摘要

Three experts in slope management have joined forces to promote the use of natural willow in the construction and stabilisation of banks and slopes across Britain.rnThe three are David Barker, a consultant ground engineer and bioengineer; James Hector, a physicist and senior partner of Willowbank Eco-Services; and Chris Booth, a consultant for the Environment Agency (EA), and principal of leading bank protection group Riparian Revetments. The trio is working together to share research and experience on slope slippage and stabilisation. According to the group, live willow offers the best shallow-seated solution in terms of ecology, aesthetics, sustainabil-ity and cost. Benefits include its hardiness and affordability, its vigorous root growth, its species diversity and its compatibility with eco-systems. Willow has been found to be especially useful on river and waterside banks because it grows well in water, and can provide a haven for indigenous plant and fish species.