Role of Geotextiles in Soil and Water Conservation

In recent years, human activities such as removing bushes, deforestation, degradation of grasslands, inappropriate methods of irrigation, overgrazing, land use change, road and building construction on vulnerable geologic formations and mining have had impact on the increase of soil erosion. On the other hand, sedimentation from erosion has caused environmental damages, financial losses and casualties. To solve these problems, there are numerous methods for declining sedimentation and soil and water conservation. The use of natural and artificial geotextiles at river conservation, roadsides, soil walls and mines is one of these methods at erosion management which helps vegetation growth and establishment by producing sufficient humidity and the fertilizer derived from their biodegradation. However, this method is partially recognized for researchers, planners and organizers of soil and water conservation plans. Therefore, in this study, different types of geotexiles, their functions and features have been broadly explained so that they could be used at sustainable water and soil resources management plans at different scales with the aim of soil conservation. The literature review showed us that geotextiles have played a significant role on soil erosion control and slopes stabilization by high performance and efficiency. On the other hand, the application of geotextiles is more economical and effective similar to the other biological and agricultural methods in terms of availability, its use at small businesses in poor local communities, employment of women at production and the decline of poverty. In addition, the most studies about geotextiles are based on natural geotextiles in Europe. Based on different climatic zones of Iran, it can be concluded that natural geotextiles like rice and corn fibers at the north of Iran as well as coir, palm and sugarcane fibers at the south of Iran are usable to manage soil erosion.