CONTOUR GRASS STRIPS - A LABORATORY SIMULATION OF THEIR ROLE IN EROSION CONTROL USING LIVE GRASSES

The effectiveness of contour grass strips in controlling erosion was s tudied in a laboratory experiment involving two grass treatments (Fest uca ovina and Poa pratensis) and a bare soil control, five slopes (5, 7, 9, 11 and 13 degrees) and two discharge types (runoff only and rain fall-runoff combined) with two replications. Significant differences w ere observed between the two grass species with Festuca ovina giving t he greater reduction in soil loss. This is explained by the greater ro ot density and the interwoven nature of the stems and leaves.