Using nano-biodegradable hydromulch to reduce runoff and soil loss in sloping land along forest roads

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Forestry, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Guilan, Sowmehsara, Guilan, Iran

2 Department of Water Engineering., Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Guilan; P.O.BOX 41635-3756, Rasht, Iran & Department of Water Engineering and Environment, Caspian Sea Basin Research Center

10.22124/cjes.2026.9436

Abstract

Soil erosion and surface runoff are among the main challenges in sloping areas that can lead to reduced soil fertility and land degradation. Nowadays, biodegradable hydromulch has been introduced as a protective solution to reduce runoff and soil loss in sloping lands. The present study aimed to investigate and evaluate the feasibility of using biodegradable hydromulch to reduce runoff and soil loss in sloping lands under laboratory conditions. The study was designed as a factorial experiment with three main factors: soil type treatments at three levels including soils from cut and fill slopes of forest road, and the soil of the machine-operating trails, protection treatments at three levels including nano-biodegradable hydromulch (NBH) with grass vegetation, simple hydromulch without vegetation (SH), and the control, and slope treatments at two levels of 10% and 30%, with three replications for each combination. These hydromulches were based on a new natural material derived from the roots of plant. Using a Kamphorst rain simulator, rainfall was simulated on all experimental units, and the amount of runoff, sediment yield, and soil loss were measured. The analysis of variance results showed that the effect of slope on soil loss, sediment yield, and sediment concentration was significant (p < 0.05), so that by elevating slope, soil loss and sediment yield increased significantly. Soil type did not have a significant effect on runoff and sediment yield (p > 0.05). The results of protection treatments effect showed that the use of hydromulches, especially NBH in combination with grass, significantly reduced sediment yield, sediment concentration, and soil loss as compared to the control treatment (p < 0.01). Compared to the control, sediment yield was reduced by 90% and 96% through the application of SH and NBH, respectively. These results indicate the high potential of SH and NBH in soil protection and erosion reduction in sloping areas. According to a simple economic evaluation, while SH is the most economical and effective option, adding grass improves protection, and the optimal choice is NBH with grass. Based on the findings of this study, the use of protective treatments, especially in lands with steep slopes, can be recommended as an effective solution in managing water and soil resources in vulnerable areas such as forest road side slopes and the machine-operating trails.

Keywords

References

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Caspian Journal of Environmental Sciences

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Available Online from 10 February 2026

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