Eco-geotechnics under climate change : a state-of-the-art review

Abstract

Global climate change has exacerbated extreme weather events, such as intense rainfall and heat waves, resulting in the deterioration of geotechnical earthen structures. To address the urgent need for sustainable development, eco-friendly solutions are being explored, with vegetation emerging as a vital natural engineer. Despite the potential of vegetation, traditional practices often limit its role to aesthetics, overlooking the engineering benefits of plant roots. This paper introduces the new interdisciplinary field of eco-geotechnics, which integrates soil mechanics, ecology, botany, and atmospheric sciences, etc. to enhance geotechnical infrastructure. By focusing on atmosphere–plant–soil interactions, this review highlights how plants contribute to the stability of earthen infrastructure through root reinforcement and hydrological benefits. This paper also reviews recent advancements in constitutive modelling of vegetated soils, particularly focusing on a novel eco-unsaturated soil model. It discusses experimental testing of vegetated soils and their wide applications. Critical research gaps are identified in terms of the effects of extreme weather on root systems, soil cracking dynamics, ecological restoration in contaminated areas, and the synergistic effects of vegetation with sustainable soil stabilisers. Additionally, the use of smart monitoring techniques based on a combination of remote sensing and machine learning is proposed to assess vegetation–soil interactions in real-time. By integrating ecological and geotechnical processes, a comprehensive framework is recommended for future research directions in eco-geotechnics, which will ultimately facilitate the development of resilient engineering solutions that can withstand the challenges posed by climate change. The insights gained will be invaluable for improving the sustainability of geotechnical practices and enhancing the resilience of infrastructures in a changing climate.