Author(s): Emily J Lawson and Michael R Hayes

Abstract: Riverbank erosion poses a major threat to ecosystem stability, water security, and human livelihoods, particularly in regions experiencing fluctuating hydrodynamic regimes and anthropogenic pressures. This study investigates the role of bioengineering techniques as sustainable alternatives to conventional hard-engineering structures for riverbank protection along a 2.5 km reach of the River Yamuna. Two bioengineered designs—comprising Salix tetrasperma (willow) and Vetiveria zizanioides (vetiver grass) integrated with coir rolls, bamboo stakes, and vegetated geogrids—were evaluated against a riprap control over two monsoon cycles (2023-2025). Field assessments encompassed bank retreat, hydraulic shear stress, Manning’s roughness coefficient, sediment deposition, species diversity, soil organic carbon, and carbon sequestration. Statistical analysis using one-way ANOVA and permutation tests revealed significant improvements in both mechanical and ecological parameters at bioengineered sites compared to the control (p < 0.001). Average bank retreat declined by up to 57%, while shear stress tolerance and roughness coefficients increased notably, demonstrating improved hydrodynamic resilience. Ecologically, bioengineered sections exhibited higher Shannon diversity indices (1.97 vs. 1.05), greater soil organic carbon (1.31% vs. 0.90%), and enhanced carbon sequestration rates (1.17 vs. 0.31 Mg C ha?¹ yr?¹). These results confirm that vegetation-based stabilization not only mitigates erosion but also supports biodiversity and biogeochemical recovery. The study concludes that bioengineering effectively harmonizes structural stability with ecological sustainability, offering a resilient, cost-efficient, and environmentally adaptive solution for riverbank protection. It further recommends integrating native vegetation, hydrological assessment, and community-based monitoring into large-scale river management frameworks to achieve long-term ecological balance and flood resilience.

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