Answer:
Straw has several causes of failure in controlling erosion, including insufficient coverage during application, use on slopes that are excessively steep or long, or insufficient application of the tackifier. However, when properly applied on acceptable slopes, straw can be an inexpensive and effective mulch for erosion control and vegetation establishment.
Other loose materials used for ground covers include compost and wood chips. Compost is made from a wide variety of organic materials, including animal manure, crop residue, municipal waste, biosolids, and yard waste. As a result, it can be highly variable in its properties. Compost is generally applied as a 1- to 2-inch layer on top of prepared soil where seed, fertilizer, and lime have previously been applied. On steep slopes (2:1 or steeper), up to 4 inches of compost may be needed. Some professional compost applicators include seed in the compost, which is recommended if more than 2 inches of compost is applied. Studies have shown that compost can be an appropriate ground cover for establishing grass on low to moderate slopes, but compost is generally more expensive than other erosion control options.
Wood chips or shredded woody materials are often generated during the clearing stage of construction when trees are shredded using large tub grinders. Such materials are ideal for landscaping around established vegetation or large plants, but they should be applied only where no permanent vegetation is planned. Typical ground covers such as grass have difficulty growing through woody material unless it is applied relatively thinly. Woody material should not be incorporated into the soil where vegetation is being established, because the process of decomposing in the soil will pull nutrients away from plant roots.
Erosion Control Blankets
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