Scoil Bhríde Landslide experiment

We had great fun getting our hands dirty to set up our first experiment for the Something Fishy programme –  our landslide experiment.

We used natural materials like soil, grass, water and stones as well as toy sheep, cattle and trees to create a riverside setting. We were testing to see how reduced vegetation caused by overgrazing can increase the risk of landslide on a river bank.

When tested with grass cover, the soil withstood the effects of heavy rainfall, but when the vegetation was removed, the soil slipped very easily into the river below.

We learned that a solution to this problem is proper fencing along riverbanks to prevent over grazing and river pollution by animals.