THURSDAY, JAN 26, 2023: NOTE TO FILE
Vetiver grass, Chrysopogon zizanioides, is a unique grass with a long hairy root that anchors the soil and is planted on swales to mitigate soil erosion. Vetiver grass is not an invasive plant and is found in the tropics and subtropical areas, although it also grows fairly well in the temperate zones. Its roots can yield a valued oil. It can be used to create very basic latrines (Vetiver Latrines). The Vetiver System is used extensively for erosion control by the Vetiver Network International.
Vetiver grass has a wide range of applications, namely;
In addition, Vetiver grass leaves and roots can be used:
Some special attributes of Vetiver grass include:
View the short video below (7:40mins) on how the Vertiver System can be used to stop erosion in high rainfall tropical location whilst the collage illustrates some of these points. It also stresses the beneficial effects it has on soil quality and the improvement of water quality. It is an exceptional plant for the use of bio-mitigation and bio-remediation and will play an important role in large scale ecosystems restoration as we will see more and more large scale restoration projects during the coming decades.
https://www.vetivergrassuk.com/
Floating raft for waste water treatment
Collage of Vetiver Grass System
Figure 4.10: The benefits of Biochar, (source) |
One of the techniques that scores highest for its greenhouse gas abatement rate is the application of biochar (World Bank, 2012). Biochar can be obtained on farms from the carbonization of biomass through pyrolysis or gasification. The International Biochar Initiative maintains that – applied correctly – “the carbon in biochar resists degradation and can hold carbon in soils for hundreds to thousands of years”. It needs to be applied in combination with organic nutrients (e.g. liquid compost) to have a positive effect on yields. “Biochar and bio-energy co-production can help combat global climate change by displacing fossil fuel used and by sequestering carbon in stable carbon pools” (Biochar International, 2015). There is increasing evidence that indigenous cultures of Amazonia, Asia and possibly even Europe practice the burial of organically activated biochar (see Terra Preta).