Vegetation helps to slow stormwater runoff, reducing soil erosion and improving water quality. Here’s how:
• Leaves, stems and other plant parts break the fall of raindrops, reducing their impact on the soil and preventing splash erosion.
• Established vegetation acts like a sponge, slowing water flow across the land. This allows more water to soak into the ground, reducing the risk of flooding.
• Plant roots help hold the ground in place, binding the soil together and preventing it from washing away.
More Plant Power Benefits
• Vegetation plays a vital role in healthy ecosystems, sustaining countless wildlife with food, protection and habitat.
• Plants can be aesthetically pleasing and help to beautify cities and towns.
• Vegetation can help cool buildings by providing shade from direct sunlight.
Did You Know?
Stripping away vegetation leaves the soil vulnerable, leading to erosion and sediment polluting our waterways. In addition, steeper terrain and erosion-prone soils magnify the potential for damage and flooding when stripped of vegetation.