Literature Review - Vegetation on Levees
Abstract
The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center conducted an extensive literature review of topics related to vegetation on levees. An objective of this compilation was to better assess if woody vegetation compromises levee integrity. Other objectives were to identify data gaps within the compiled documents on the subject of studying the effects of woody vegetation on levees, and to use this information as a foundation for future research. In this literature review, vegetation types were identified as woody (i.e., trees, bushes, and shrubbery) and non-woody (brush, shrubs,herbs, and grasses). Vegetation species differ in root system, trunk diameter, and growth pattern. Therefore, the vegetation species documented in the research publications were identified in this literature review. Understanding these differences and the interaction of each vegetation species with the levee soil structure is necessary for interpreting the effects of levee vegetation. More than 200 documents were reviewed under the following categories: journal articles, federal and state government documents,books, newspaper/Internet articles, proceedings/briefings, reviews/annual reports/ workshops, dissertations/theses, and international guidance. Of these, 61 addressed some aspect of woody vegetation on levees. However, this number includes guidance documents and conference briefings. There are very few research publications that focus specifically on the complex interAction of woody vegetation and a soil matrix within an engineered levee.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA548189
Entities
People
- Charlie D. Little
- David S. Biedenharn
- Donald H. Gray
- Freddie Pinkard
- James R. Leech
- Landris T. Lee
- Maureen K. Corcoran
- Pamela Bailey
Organizations
- Engineer Research and Development Center