The eco-functions of ecological protection techniques of riverbank
河道生态护坡关键技术及其生态功能

The erosion of riverbank and the disappearance of riparian buffering strips are among the concerns in river ecosystem. This study investigated the application of three ecological slope protection techniques, including soil bioengineering, all-series vegetated protection, and combined biostabilization, at four demonstration sites of ecological rivers in Shanghai. In order to assess the ecological functions of the slope protection project, the ecological slope protection project at the demonstration site of Airport Town, was conducted continuous ecological monitoring from 2004 to 2006 after the reconstruction was finished. The results indicated that the pioneer species such as Salix suchowensis, Salix babylonica , Zoysia Sinica, are growing very well with strong root system and flourished branches, which help control soil erosion effectively. As an indicator of soil anti-erodibility, the soil strength and compaction of the subsurface soil with a mean deepness of 15 cm are going up and much more than the un-covered control slopes, which made the soil erosion mitigated sharply and the structural stability of riverbanks enhanced. Along with the riverbank being reinforced, the habitats of the riparian zone are under self-improvement and native plants have been in rapid restoration. The ecological stability of ecoriverbanks is being enhanced due to a high species diversity and complex plant community structure.