techniques using plants for sliding slopes and river embankments stabilization have been described for the first time
in Austria, in 1826. Many applications were made especially in Alpine Regions. Vegetation, combined with
structural elements, can effectively contribute as a control measure against erosion or certain instability processes,
especially shallow ones. In fact, plants plays an active role on slope stability, both on surface, protecting and holding
soil particles, and in deeper layers, reducing pore pressure (hydrological effect) and increasing soil shear strength
(mechanical effect). The use of vegetation is particularly appropriate in contexts where soil conservation measures
are needed to correctly insert the intervention into landscape.
Naturalistic engineering works costs depends on the material purchase and provision, its transportation, and on
the realized work maintenance costs. In many cases they are financially advantageous (about 40-90%) with respect
to conventional approaches using concrete. Nowadays only a limited number of studies about this topic, requesting
an inter-disciplinary approach, both botanic and geotechnical, have been realized, most of them in Central Europe.
Moreover, although in international literature experimental data on plant tensile strength can be found, those values
must be considered valid only local conditions.
This work provides indications on mechanical strength parameters of native plants roots. In particular tensile
strength of native Mediterranean species have been analyzed by means of a series of experimental tests carried out at
the Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture of University of Catania. Results indicate that tensile strength
of roots is influenced by many factors, among which, root diameter moisture and the location where plants had
grown.