Soil and Water Bioengineering Technique for Urban Forestry and Mitigation of Natural Hazards

Abstract

Industrialization and rapid urbanization have taken a toll on the envi-ronment. The increase in urban population has resulted in land areas being cleared for both residential and infrastructure development. The removal of plant coverage exposes the barren soil to heavy precipitation which subsequently leads to soil erosion and landslides. As part of sustainable development, a growing number of city coun-cils have taken the initiative to integrate green spaces into urban areas. Urban forest parks and gardens are incorporated into the city blueprint to provide urbanites with recreational spaces and a chance to interact with nature. Moreover, the concept of urban forestry provides a balance between environmental degradation and develop-ment. Urban trees offer a wide range of services, namely, reduction of air and noise pollution, regulation of atmospheric temperature and mitigation of flood. The success of this concept relies primarily on the right selection of tree species and their rooting properties. Since Malaysia is located on the equator, the hot and humid weather had significantly reduced soil fertility due to chemical weathering and leaching. Hence, the use of phytoremediator or metal tolerant plants is recommended for they could ameliorate contaminated soils and at the same time provide aesthetic landscaping qualities.