Erosion Control Toolbox: Bonded Fiber Matrix

Introduction

Bonded fiber matrix consists of a wood fiber blanket bonded with tackifier. It may also include seed and fertilizer.

The Bonded Fiber Matrix specification includes the following steps:

• A hydroseed truck sprays wood fiber and tackifier from one direction
• A hydroseed truck sprays wood fiber and tackifier from a second direction

When to Use This Treatment

• Use for cut and fill slopes and other disturbed soil areas
• Typically used to treat disturbed areas larger than 0.5 acres

Benefits

• Immediate protection from surface erosion due to raindrop impact (after 24-48 hour cure period)
• Conforms closely to the soil surface which may result in less erosion due to surface rilling
• Vegetation provided by seed provides long-term control of erosion

Limitations

• Higher application rates required for steeper slopes may inhibit germination of seed and establishment of long-term vegetation
• Surface treatment only - unlikely to improve compacted, nutrient depleted, or poorly draining soils as necessary to ensure vigorous long term vegetative cover
• Inefficient technique to treat disturbed areas less than 0.5 acres. Consider using the Dry Seed specification instead

Consider Using With

To effectively treat sites where Erosion Control (Bonded Fiber Matrix) may not stay in place, consider combining this treatment with:

• Rolled Erosion Control Product (Netting)
• Rolled Erosion Control Product (Turf Reinforcement Mat)

To effectively treat sites with poor soils (compacted, nutrient depleted, or poorly draining), consider combining this treatment with:

• Local Topsoil
• Incorporate Materials
• Roughen Soil Surface

Standard Specifications

• Refer to Standard Specifications - Section 21 Erosion Control

Plans and Details

• Click here to see examples of how to specify the use of Bonded Fiber Matrix

Estimate Information

• Use BEES code 210253 Bonded Fiber Matrix for payment by acre
• Use BEES code 210252 Bonded Fiber Matrix for payment by square foot

References

• California Department of Transportation, "TransPlant Seed and Plant Selection Tool", August 2009.
• California Department of Transportation, "Effective Planting Techniques to Minimize Erosion" (PDF)
• David Steinfield, Scott Riley, Kim Wilkinson, Thomas D. Landis, Lee Riley, et al. 2017. "Roadside Revegetation, An Integrated Approach to Establishing Native Plants and Pollinator Habitat"

Updated: February 8, 2019