With applications that range from gardening to reinforcing concrete, coconut coir is a versatile, multipurpose material. It is also a natural and sustainable resource, making it a good option for eco-friendly erosion control. Though it is completely biodegradable, it is strong and long-lasting enough to allow vegetation to take root. Try using a coconut coir erosion control blanket, mat, or log for your next stabilization project.

Problems with Erosion

Erosion is a serious problem worldwide. During droughts, dust can be swept off of mountains and hillsides by the wind and floods can cause soil to rush off of landscapes. As a result, landscapers, horticulturists, and gardeners are constantly looking for new ways to reinforce vegetation. To prevent erosion, it’s necessary to slow the movement of water. Erosion control blankets, mats, and fiber rolls are often used for this purpose. It is always preferable to use natural options, especially ones that match the surrounding landscape and eventually biodegrade. Consequently, coconut coir has become a popular choice for erosion control. 

About Coconut Coir Fiber

Coir fiber is the toughest of all of the natural fibers. It has the highest concentration of lignin (mature coir fibers contain even higher levels of lignin), which makes it strong. Research on coconut fiber suggests that it has significant potential as a durable, low-cost building material. Coir is also used in erosion control because it has a low decomposition rate and is very strong compared to other natural fibers. As a natural reinforcement material, coir can be collected cheaply and efficiently using local labor and technology.

Using Coir for Erosion Control

Coir erosion control mats are one of the most popular options to prevent the destruction of vegetation and landscaping. Coir fiber mats and blankets can be used to stabilize a location and prevent slides. They are woven from longer coir fibers, which come from mature brown coconut husks. This particular weave leaves openings that are wide enough to let plants to take root. 

Coir mats are flexible and can conform to the contours of your soil. They are available in many different sizes, which can be used to account for different rates of water flow and differently shaped slopes. On average, coir mats provide solid support for up to five years, which is enough time to allow vegetation to take root, grow, and stabilize. In addition, coir blankets and mats are relatively easy to install. 

Coir logs can be useful in areas that experience higher water flow or need a great deal of stabilization. They also provide significant stability and control, and plants can be seeded directly into the logs. This ensures that the logs continue to control erosion long after they have begun to biodegrade.

Coir is one of the strongest natural fibers on the market. It is also the thickest and toughest of all of the commercial natural fibers. Originally considered to be waste byproduct of coconut production, coir fibers have found their way into many industries around the world. With millions of acres committed to coconut groves, this resource stands to benefit many industries.