TITLE:
Root-Fusion Characteristic of Eucalyptus Trees Block Gully Development
AUTHORS:
Dalmas O. Sigunga, Makoto Kimura, Mitsuo Hoshino, Shuichi Asanuma, John C. Onyango
KEYWORDS:
Eucalyptus citriodora; Gully Erosion; Root-Fusion; Root System
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Environmental Protection,
Vol.4 No.9,
August
28,
2013
ABSTRACT: Soil erosion
by water resulting in gully formation is a common occurrence in western Kenya.
Establishment of local and sustainable countermeasures to prevent gully
development/expansion in western Kenya is an urgent issue. This study presents
the proposal to prevent gully development/expansion by planting Eucalyptus
trees in gully prone regions. A survey study was undertaken in Kenya from 2008 to 2011. Roots of adjacent Eucalyptus citriodora trees fused forming a dense network of
closely woven mass of root system holding large amount of soil thereby checking
erosion by water and hence gully development. The network of roots among
adjacent Eucalyptus trees also supported the standing and normal growth of the
other Eucalyptus trees whose root systems were completely free from soil.
Recognizable aging and breakdown of root networks were not observed during the
survey period.