Biotic Soil Technology for Sustainable Erosion Control & Revegetation

Steve R. Zwilling

This presentation will introduce and describe in detail examples of Biotic Soil Technologies (BST) a generic term to represent the emerging field of manufactured growth media containing biodegradable fibers, biostimulant, biological inoculants and other amendments designed to accelerate sustainable vegetative establishment and promote regeneration of denuded soils. Participants will learn from featured case studies where BSTs have been successfully implemented to facilitate successful erosion control and revegetation outcomes. Successful rehabilitation, reclamation or revegetation of soil and vegetation disturbances from resource extraction or construction related activities require a comprehensive and holistic approach. All too often, the post-disturbance response is concentrated on effective erosion and sediment control measures with little regard to the underlying soils or substrates and their agronomic potential to establish and sustain vegetation. Surveys and observations conducted by the author have confirmed that nearly ¾ of North American erosion control and revegetation project designs fail to test and then prescribe remediation of soils or substrates to foster their ability to establish and sustain vegetation. Moreover, scarcity, cost and quality of suitable topsoil as well as compost and other prescribed soil alternatives can exacerbate the challenge. Biotic Soil Technologies (BST) is a generic term to describe the emerging field of manufactured growth media that is engineered to cost-effectively increase organic content in substrates, accelerate sustainable vegetative establishment and promote regeneration of denuded soils. BSTs offer many advantages over field extracted or produced soils and their replacements such as availability and consistency of material and efficiency of application. This presentation will discuss a diverse portfolio of case studies in North America and abroad where BSTs have been implemented to facilitate successful erosion control and revegetation outcomes.

Presented by Steve R. Zwilling

Stephen R. Zwilling is the Senior Business Development Manager for Profile Products, LLC, of Buffalo Grove, Illinois, USA. He has 30 years of experience in erosion and sediment control and Turfgrass management. He has written several technical articles in industry trade publications on hydraulically applied erosion control systems and applications. Zwilling was a prior owner/partner of the Conwed Fibers Corporation. Zwilling holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Marketing Management from Pepperdine University. He is a past board member of the Erosion Control Technology Council (ECTC), a member of the International Erosion Control Association (IECA) and was on the Board of Directors of the Mid Atlantic IECA. Stephen Zwilling has been a volunteer instructor at several industry events including the IECA Muddy Water Blue’s, NCSU Erosion Control Field Days and at several Water Resource Workshops in the Eastern US and Canada.