Revegetation on steep slopes and in subalpine areas using biennial cover plants: A review of Huter’s technique

Abstract

In the high-mountain region of the Tyrol in Austria, a special method was developed by Huter and Heumader (1981) for the revegetation of soils lacking humus using biennial cover plants. This method shows good results not only under normal conditions, but also on problematic sites such as steep slopes and in subalpine areas. With the exception of fertilizers, no synthetic components, e.g. bitumen emulsions or soil-fixing adhesives are needed. Biennial varieties of rye (Secale cereale L.) and sometimes vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) are used as cover plants, which produce a lot of organic matter above and below ground. These rapidly growing cover plants prevent surface erosion and protect the slowly growing perennial revegetation plants. After 2 years, the rotting shoots and roots form a green manure, which is important for soil microorganisms. Biennial cover plants, perennial revegetation plants and fertilizer are applied together. On steep terrain small ditches (furrows), running diagonally across the slope, are dug or hoed by hand to control surface runoff and prevent surface erosion and the formation of rills and gullies. This method has proved to be cheap and effective and has the advantage of mostly using natural material.