Developing Recommendations for the Use of BioChar in Roadside Green Infrastructure

Summary:

Roadsides perform multiple functions as green infrastructure, including pollutant retention, moderation of stormwater, and provision of habitat for native plants and pollinators. A persistent challenge in roadside construction and maintenance is how to effectively and affordably construct this green infrastructure to perform a wide range of functions. Biochar has been touted as a promising material to affordably amend roadsides to increase their ability to hold water, bind pollutants, and promote native plant growth. However, we have little data on the performance of biochar in roadside soils at relevant scales in field conditions, and its interaction with roadside plant communities. This knowledge is essential for building best management practices for incorporating biochar into road construction projects. Studies suggest that doing so could reduce material costs of road projects by 60% in terms of the costs of stormwater and pollutant mitigation (e.g., as the water holding capacity of the soil is increased, the reliance on stormwater interventions is reduced). The proposed research combines field and laboratory experiments to develop recommendations for biochar additions to roadsides during (and following) construction in order to bind pollutants, manage runoff, and promote the growth of native plants in pollinator habitat. As a result of this research, we will have a better idea of how to expand the promise of biochar from small scale experiments to real life road projects.

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