Erosion TTool/Implementation of a Meadow

Technical articles - Erosion TTool - Érosion des sols

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Illustration of the practice of establishing a meadow within the serious game Erosion TTOOL. Credit: Delphine Hombrouckx

To allow for a soil rest period, it is possible to put a plot into fallow (cultivable land temporarily rested, without harvest). It may also be feasible to sow a meadow.

Description

Advantages

• Slow down runoff and increase the infiltration capacity of water.
• Limit water pollution.
• Improve biodiversity.
• Restore soil fertility.
• The grass can be utilized.

Disadvantages

• Cessation of production for at least 1 year.
• In the case of a sown meadow, this may require significant adaptation and technical skill: careful technical itinerary.

Advice

• It is preferable to define the objectives of establishing a meadow or fallow land. Indeed, the mode of exploitation of meadows can be of several types:
  • Mown meadows which are rich in tall species, with an upright habit, adapted to competition for light (e.g., Orchard grass, clover violet).
  • grazed meadows.