Healthy and vibrant soil is super important to many individuals, communities and countries that care about proper land management. Without it, we face environmental problems that extend far beyond the immediate site.
Soil erosion threatens vegetation growth and can also cause pollution and affect water quality. It is a vital area of landscaping that we must understand, control and mitigate.
At All Stake Supply, we not only understand the importance of erosion control, but we also offer solutions, instruction and services to help offset soil erosion. Our range of natural and synthetic products addresses erosion at every stage, from prevention to remediation.
Soil that erodes and gets carried or deposited into streams and rivers can cause pollution or lower water quality. This endangers the native fish species due to the lowering of oxygen in the water.
The danger increases when pesticides or fertilisers are applied on land, and that contaminated soil is transported to water sources. Agricultural runoff containing these chemicals can create toxic conditions for aquatic ecosystems.
As soil erodes, it can create cracks that allow more sunlight to penetrate. This increases the chance of algal and bacterial growth, which can have a huge impact on aquatic life.
Excessive algae blooms deplete oxygen levels even further, creating dead zones where fish and other organisms cannot survive. The cumulative effect disrupts entire food chains and destroys biodiversity in waterways.
When erosion occurs, the integrity of the landscape is weakened, which can lead to mudslides and structural problems. This becomes a major issue when large or populated areas are affected.
Mudslides can destroy homes, roads and infrastructure. When an area's integrity is compromised, it can be almost impossible to build, farm or utilise the land safely.
The financial costs of repairing erosion damage run into millions of dollars annually across Australia. Property values plummet in areas prone to erosion, and insurance premiums skyrocket.
Another impact of soil erosion is that the health of the soil is degraded. The topsoil layer, which contains the highest concentration of organic matter and nutrients, is the first to go.
Much-needed nutrients and minerals can easily be removed when the topsoil is washed away. This makes the land infertile or not as productive as it possibly could be.
As a result, vegetation suffers, which in turn can cause more erosion. This creates a vicious cycle where degraded soil leads to sparse vegetation, which provides less protection against further erosion.
Farmers face declining crop yields and must invest more in fertilisers to compensate for lost nutrients. Over time, severely eroded land may become completely unsuitable for agriculture without significant remediation efforts.
Besides the immense financial cost that erosion can have for people, it can destroy habitats and create unnecessary labour. Native plant communities are displaced when topsoil disappears, altering entire ecosystems.
Wildlife that depends on specific vegetation for food and shelter loses critical habitat. Birds, insects, reptiles and small mammals all suffer when erosion strips away their environment.
Sedimentation in streams and rivers buries spawning grounds for fish and smothers bottom-dwelling organisms. The resulting turbidity blocks light penetration, preventing aquatic plants from photosynthesising.
Recovery from severe erosion can take decades or even centuries without intervention. Finding natural solutions for soil erosion is essential, and we have you covered with proven products.
Products such as jute and coir matting, silt fence and sandbags are all excellent methods of erosion control. Each serves a specific purpose depending on the slope, soil type and erosion severity.
If you aren't familiar with these, the information below explains how each product works and when to use it. Selecting the right solution depends on your specific site conditions and long-term goals.
Jute matting - An organic geotextile which helps young trees and shrubs by reducing competing weeds. It still allows the soil beneath to breathe whilst promoting growth and stabilising the soil.
For large-scale revegetation projects on moderate slopes, this 620gsm slitted roll offers excellent coverage at 1.83m wide, allowing rapid installation while the pre-cut slits accommodate seedlings and plantings. The matting biodegrades naturally over 12-24 months, giving plants time to establish strong root systems.
Coir matting - Made from coconut fibre, coir matting is 100% biodegradable and its weaved design adds additional strength to landscapes. It is designed to be a permanent installation, with the coir matting biodegrading after the ground cover has been established.
For steeper embankments or creek banks where erosion pressure is intense, these 200mm diameter logs provide substantial structural support that holds soil in place while vegetation establishes. The larger diameter handles higher flow volumes and more aggressive erosion than thinner alternatives.
Silt fence - Silt fence is a 77cm-high, weaved mesh supported by steel or timber posts. Its role in preventing soil erosion is to stop and collect sediment being carried downhill by surface water, whilst allowing the water to pass through the fence at a lower velocity.
When installing silt fencing, these 1800mm hardwood stakes provide the extra height needed to secure fencing properly in deeper trenches, ensuring the barrier remains effective even during heavy rainfall. The additional length prevents washouts that commonly occur with shorter posts.
Sandbags - These items are especially beneficial to construction or civil worksites and can aid in acting as temporary retaining walls to help control flooding. Functioning as physical barriers, sandbags can help stabilise soil and prevent sediment travel.
These are just some of the basic, yet most effective erosion control products available. Often the best approach combines multiple products to address different erosion mechanisms.
For example, silt fencing at the perimeter captures sediment runoff while jute matting on slopes protects the soil surface. Coir logs along drainage channels slow water velocity and filter additional sediment.
On sites where weed competition threatens newly planted vegetation, this 1.83m woven poly mat suppresses unwanted growth while allowing water and air to reach plant roots, creating ideal conditions for establishment without ongoing erosion risk. The width matches standard landscape installations for efficient coverage.
At All Stake Supply, we understand the value and importance of maintaining landscape using natural and sustainable methods. Our team can recommend the right combination of products for your specific site conditions.
Don't let erosion ruin your property. Fight it today with proven solutions that protect soil, water quality and your investment.
For more information about soil erosion and how you can prevent it, contact our friendly and knowledgeable team at 1300 130 123. We'll help you select the right products and quantities for effective, long-lasting erosion control.
