Creating Sustainable Vegetation on Amazon Basin, Laterite-Clay Slopes

摘要

Using minimal right-of-way is typical for road construction in remote areas of the Amazon Basin. This practice results in cut slopes up to 75 degrees. The exposed laterite-clay soils are both highly erosive and free from nutrients that support vegetation. Laterite is a high-iron clay formed in humid tropical areas. Using the Geoweb cellular confinement system with onsite vegetation and onsite bacterial nutrients, a structurally secure, sustainable vegetation cover was established. The interaction of all components resulted in the establishment of a natural, healthy, ecosystem that is changing the sterile soils into soils that support all biological aspects of a healthy ecosystem. This paper presents the unique interaction of all components and the significant results obtained.