By Amanda Jones
Interaction
I am focusing on the Green Studio Garden next to the Art and Design building. Adjacent to the green studio garden is a steep slope alongside the building that is eroding into the garden. Certain species of native plants are drought tolerant and have extensive root systems to withstand soil disruption and erosion. A native plant buffer would also act as a natural pollutant filtration system and prevent footpath flooding by soaking up the water. This solution would also reduce damage to the adjacent building which currently has a border of foam and a soil cover to prevent flooding.
Resource Characteristics
The Resources involved would be the native plants, the soil and the sloped land. Native plants such as grasses can be effective at increasing the soil’s resistance to erosion. From an ecological standpoint sediment runoff is harmful as it degrades the quality of water for drinking, wildlife and the land surrounding streams (“What Is Erosion and Sedimentation?,” 2017). Maintaining soil structure is essential for sustaining a vibrant ecosystem and to prevent damage to the university building.
Governance/ User Characteristics
The Mason Land Development team oversees the maintenance of the eroded area near the Green Studio Garden. In addition, volunteers and Jenn Ashworth maintain and make decisions on how to use the space (Mason Land Development Division, nd). No political institutions are involved in the Green Studio. Incentives to implement a native plant buffer would be to prevent erosion from damaging the building edge. In addition, it would look aesthetically pleasing to cover the eroded land with native foliage which looks good all season and attracts beneficial insects and other species.
Economic setting /Cultural Implications and Related Ecosystems
Implementing and maintaining a native plant erosion buffer is an economically feasible solution for the university. Compared to the last attempt to seal off the building, this solution will be sustainable and self-maintaining. The native plants are low maintenance and resilient as they are adapted to the local climate. The plants will also be self-replacing as they will be perennial and regenerate yearly, thus preventing runoff indefinitely. Additionally, a native plant buffer serves as a visually appealing feature for the university compared to a barren slick of soil and patchy grass.
Improvement
My main suggestion for improvement is to utilize native plants to absorb the water and reduce erosion. Native plants provide a biotechnical barrier to reinforce soil and stabilize slopes (USDA, 1998). This would provide an effective low maintenance solution because the plants do not need to be mowed and grow well with indirect sunlight. The current foam and black fabric solution is deteriorating and is not reducing the runoff.
Is the University acting?
The George Mason University grounds keepers previously installed a foam buffer and cover to prevent damage to the building and reduce runoff. However, no action has been taken to improve the resulting erosion. Jennifer Ashworth and I are meeting with a grounds keeper to discuss implementing a native plant buffer.
References
What Is Erosion and Sedimentation? (2017, February 1). Retrieved from Pike
County Conservation District website: https://pikeconservation.org/what-is-erosion-and-sedimentation/
“Stream Corridor Restoration: Principles, Processes, and Practices.” USDA 1998 Federal Interagency Stream Restoration Working Group.
Erosion control: Virginia, USA: Plant nova natives. Plant Nova Natives. (n.d.). Retrieved October 31, 2022, from https://www.plantnovanatives.org/erosion-control
USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service. Soil Bioengineering for Upland Slope Protection and Erosion Reduction. Engineering Field Handbook, Part 650, Chapter 18.
Mason MS4 program. Facilities. (n.d.). Retrieved November 5, 2022, from https://facilities.gmu.edu/resources/land-development/ms4/