ABSTRACT
An alternative, sustainable approach to ‘hard’ engineering solutions (e.g. pile stabilisation, gravel drains and concrete facings) to stabilise slopes against failure is the use of vegetation. Plant roots provide both mechanical root reinforcement and can change the water conditions in the slope. Due to the seasonal nature of water extraction, it may be safer to ignore the possibly beneficial effect of water extraction and rely solely on the mechanical reinforcement effects. This is the approach used here.
