Martin Ecosystems

Baton Rouge, LA

225.292.6750

erosion control

What is EcoShield™?

EcoShield

Vegetated EcoShield™ is a green infrastructure product that protects earthen shorelines and stabilizes banks while promoting vegetative growth to create a “living shoreline.” It is a cost-effective, sustainable solution for shoreline erosion.

EcoShield™ was designed as a protective medium for vegetation to establish, grow, and spread. We like to think of it as a pre-vegetated “armoring”; this layered vegetated system provides protection for earthen berms, dikes, terraces and levees while promoting growth for additional protection from waves. Scientific research found that one layer of the base matrix layer WITHOUT vegetation is effective at reducing wave run up heights by 40%! With multiple layers and vegetation, an even more significant reduction can be expected.

EcoShield™ serves two purposes: it compliments flood protection by reducing wave energies and extending the life of shorelines, levee systems, berms, and terraces. It also enhances the natural processes of the ecosystem by creating shoreline habitats for waterfowl, wildlife, and aquatic life.

Benefits of EcoShield™

  • Reduces Erosive Waves
  • Stabilizes Loose Soils
  • Promotes Vegetative Growth
  • Significant Cost Savings
  • Provides Installation Flexibility
  • Lightweight & Easy to Install
  • Minimal Environmental Impact 

Successful EcoShield™ Projects

Buras Boat Harbor: Decades of marsh erosion and subsidence along the levees near Joshua’s Marina in Buras, Louisiana, have compromised the integrity of these levees, which protect the coastal community of Buras against storm surge. This project was designed to protect this important infrastructure. Funding for the project was provided by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Coastal Impact Assistance Program (CIAP) and Plaquemines Parish Government.

Martin Ecosystems was subcontracted to install 660 feet of Vegetated EcoShield ®  on the south berm in July 2014. Within a week of project completion, a storm came through the area causing damage to the remaining unprotected 4000 feet of earthen berm. High winds caused waves to erode the berm five feet in some places. Martin Ecosystems was again subcontracted to install EcoShield™ on the remaining 4000 feet of unprotected berm. Construction of this phase was completed on September 11, 2014.

Daniel Duhon, of Manchac Consulting, said:

Due to the nature of the borrow material, I think the EcoShield™ served an important role in stabilizing the unstable material. If nothing was done to stabilize the new berm there was the potential to lose a significant portion of the seaward face of the berm due to wind and wave action.

EcoShield
Photo taken April 2016.
EcoShield
Photo taken August 2017.

Delta Farms: The America’s WETLAND Foundation (AWF) brought together public and private partners to create the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) Shoreline Stabilization and Restoration Project in Lafourche Parish, LA. America’s WETLAND Foundation contracted Martin Ecosystems to install 1 mile of EcoShield to protect the levee where the embankment has been eroded.

Since the installation of EcoShield in November of 2015, the landowner has not had to perform annual lifting or rebuilding of the levee as he has had to do previously. The levee remains in tact where EcoShield was installed.

Ethan Miller, Project Landowner and Owner of Delta Farms, said:

I have to admit, I was skeptical at first. Over the years we spent hundreds of thousands of dollars trying to stabilize that berm. But looking at the results today, I am impressed. Two years later, the berm is holding and the ecosystems is flourishing.

EcoShield

EcoShield

Bayou Monnaie: A large portion of the marsh in the area near Bayou Monnaie had eroded away, resulting in areas of turbid, open, saline water that provide little value to migatory birds and other wildlife. Earthen terraces were constructed to lessen the erosion, create marsh habitat, and restore water quality. However, the terraces were also susceptible to erosion. Ducks Unlimited contracted Martin Ecosystems to install EcoShield™ along the sacrificial terraces to protect them from erosion. Vegetated EcoShield™ remained in place even following Tropical Storm Cindy and most importantly protected the shoreline from erosion, while the areas unprotected by Vegetated EcoShield™ eroded significantly.

EcoShield

EcoShield

Pre-Grown Vegetation

Vegetated EcoShield™ is pre-grown with native vegetation such as wetland sedges, rushes, and grasses before it even arrives on site. These plants are preferred because they are able to develop superior root structure and the ability to spread. Vegetated EcoShield™ is an important tool for shoreline protection of earthen structures, especially where soils are organic and soft and vegetation has nothing to hold onto. Because the vegetation is grown beforehand, the plants are pre-established and have a chance to grow into the material, take root, and spread.

Installation

The earthen structure must be smooth in order for EcoShield™ to lay flat onto the earthen surface. A 1:4 slope or greater is preferred for optimal performance. Vegetated Ecoshield™ can be installed in 2, 3, or 4 layers determined by the slope and amount of protected coverage required.

Vegetated EcoShield™ requires minimal maintenance with quick and easy installation. To secure the earthen berm in place we use rebar anchor staples and semi-flexible wire mesh. Staple pins may need to be adjusted for initial earthen structure settling and compaction.

Endorsement by The Water Institute of the Gulf

In June of 2015, The Water Institute of the Gulf endorsed Vegetated EcoShield™ as being consistent with the goals and objective of the Coastal Master Plan for Bank Stablization and Shoreline Protection.

For more information about Vegetated EcoShield™, contact our office at 225-292-6750.

3 Problems Erosion is Creating for Landowners

Erosion, Landowners

The erosion of Louisiana’s coastline is a crisis for us all. It is estimated that every day the state of Louisiana alone loses as much as a football field in land. Unfortunately, funding for projects to counteract this crisis is limited. Now more than ever, we need affordable, sustainable solutions to protect and restore our coastlines. 

3 Problems Erosion Causes for Landowners

The most obvious problem erosion is causing for coastal landowners is the loss of land. However, the loss of land is really not just a problem for landowners; the effects of erosion spreads to people far from the coast.

  1. 1. Erosion makes us more vulnerable to flooding and storm surge. Wetlands provide a buffer for storms and foods. A loss of land leaves us with less protection, making us increasingly more vulnerable to natural disasters.
  • – 7 miles of wetlands reduces a storm surge by one foot.*
  • – The loss of every one-mile strip of wetlands along the coast results in an estimated $5,752,816 average annual increase in property damage. *
  • – Between 60-70% of Louisiana’s population (over 2 million people) live within 50 miles of the coast and become vulnerable without coastal wetland protection.*
  1. 2. Erosion poses a threat to a profitable fishing industry. Louisiana wetlands provide abundant wildlife and fisheries. By 2050, it is estimated that the annual loss in commercial fisheries due to eroding wetlands will be nearly $550 million.*
  • – Louisiana is one of the largest habitats in the world for migratory waterfowl.*
  • – 95% of all marine species in the Gulf of Mexico spend all or part of their lifecycle in Louisiana wetlands.*
  • – 86% of Gulf of Mexico sport and commercial fish species are dependent on coastal wetlands for survival.*
  • – Louisiana’s wetlands are home to some species that are on the endangered or threatened list.*
  • – Louisiana’s commercial fisheries are the most bountiful of the lower 48 states and more than 30% of the nation’s commercial catch comes from Louisiana.*
  • – Louisiana is first in the annual harvest of oysters, shrimp, crabs, crawfish, red snapper, wild catfish, sea trout and mullet. *
  1. 3. Erosion is a threat to the natural gas and oil industry. In fact, 25% of the energy supply of the entire nation depends on the support facilities in south Louisiana. As our wetlands and barrier islands continue to disappear, the wells, pipelines, ports and roads that make the energy industry possible will be more exposed to open water, wave action, storm surges and water traffic. Erosion will lead to more vulnerable pipelines, resulting in ruptures, oil spills and gas leaks, and billions of assets at risk.*
  • – Louisiana is home to the natural gas and oil industry with a value exceeding $16 billion a year. *
  • – 18% of the U.S. oil and 24% of the natural gas originates and is processed or transported through Louisiana coastal wetlands.*

3 Cost-effective Solutions We’ve Engineered for Landowners

Because we’re passionate about the land we love and we want to protect our coastlines, we’ve engineered innovative, cost effective solutions that are producing results. The following are lightweight solutions that protect existing shorelines, create new marsh and restore wetland habitats:

  • – The Floating Breakwater is a floating wave attenuator that utilizes recycled materials and vegetation to create a sustainable green infrastructure product.
  • – Vegetated EcoShield®is a living shoreline product that compliments flood protection by reducing wave energies and extending the life of shorelines, levee systems, berms, and terraces.
  • – EcoBale is a breakwater for reducing waves and trapping sediments. It is lightweight yet durable enough to withstand high energy environments.

We believe that our wetlands are worth investing in and worth protecting. Coastal restoration makes good business sense, and we can all play a part in saving our coast. If you would like learn more about our partnerships for coastal restoration, habitat restoration, and water quality improvement, give us a call at 225.292.6750. 

*Information in this article provided by: https://www2.southeastern.edu/orgs/oilspill/wetlands.html

Our Love for Water Inspires Us to Protect It

Martin Ecosystems began in 2008, and has been family-owned and operated ever since.

Our owner, Ted Martin, grew up in a small fishing village and his love for water began at a young age. Ted and his four children keep the Martin Ecosystems wheels spinning, and they love what they do.

Martin Ecosystems Leadership Team
Martin Ecosystems Leadership Team

The Louisiana coast has been the backdrop for countless Martin family celebrations. It is where we work; it is where we play; it is our home.

The environmental challenges Louisiana faces are worldwide (i.e. marsh erosion, impaired waterbodies, threatened habitats). We are fully dedicated to finding a common link between industry and nature, while solving the most complex environmental challenges with matchless natural solutions.

Our Environmental Commitment Involves Environmental Technology

We are an environmental technology company that manufactures and supplies Floating Treatment Wetlands, Floating Breakwaters, and a bank stabilization solution-EcoShield™.

Our products provide cost-effective solutions for a variety of environmental challenges our world faces today including storm water and wastewater treatment, shoreline protection, and habitat restoration.

Based out of Louisiana, we first developed solutions for the coastal restoration and protection challenges affecting our home state, but today we serve customers in 15 states and several foreign markets.

Our innovative combination of engineering and ecology improves water quality, establishes sustainable habitats and creates resilient shorelines.

We use recycled products with minimal footprints to improve a variety of water environments. We believe it is our responsibility to be good stewards of the earth’s resources.

  • We are RECYCLING by using a matrix material made of 100% recycled Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic soda and water bottles to manufacture all our products.
  • We are REDUCING the amount of plastic from entering the environment and going into landfills.
  • We are REUSING post-consumer waste.

At Martin Ecosystems, our commitment to improving and protecting the environment is strong.

Interested in learning more about our company, product lines and services? Give us a call at (225) 292-6750!