Urban Design: Separation Geotextiles and Root Barriers

The Journal of Environmental Quality’s (JEQ) most recent issue includes “Can Urban Tree Roots Improve Infiltration through Compacted Subsoils for Stormwater Management?” The researchers who produced the article examined the effects of root penetrations on water infiltration and examined water detention system using special soil arrangements and geotextile separation fabrics. “Manipulating root penetration through these separation geotextiles could potentially play a large role in bioretention system function and design,” says the project lead, Susan Day of Virginia Tech.