Revegetation is the process of replanting and rebuilding the
soil of disturbed land. This may be a natural process produced by
plant colonization and
succession, or an artificial (manmade)
wilderness engineering, accelerated process designed to repair damage to a
landscape due to
wildfire,
mining,
flood, or other cause. Originally the process was simply one of applying
seed and
fertilizer to disturbed lands, usually
grasses or
clover. The fibrous
root network of grasses is useful for short-term erosion control, particularly on sloping ground. Establishing long-term plant communities requires forethought as to appropriate species for the climate, size of stock required, and impact of replanted vegetation on local fauna. The motivations behind revegetation are diverse, answering needs that are both technical and aesthetic, but it is usually
erosion prevention that is the primary reason. Revegetation helps prevent
soil erosion, enhances the ability of the soil to absorb more water in significant rain events, and in conjunction reduces
turbidity dramatically in adjoining bodies of water. Revegetation also aids protection of engineered grades and other earthworks.
