Solutions de traitement des essences ligneuses générant des risques sur les ouvrages hydrauliques

Since 1970 and until 2006, phytopharmaceutical products were used extensively to control the development of vegetation on dikes, dams, and canals due to their high-speed action and low-cost implementation. Following the prohibition of these products, a significant expansion of woody vegetation was observed on the cladding of hydraulic structures, with pioneer and hygrophilous species like poplar becoming prominent. These trees grew rapidly when planted in proximity to water bodies, particularly in areas where phytopharmaceutical usage was strictly prohibited. The control methods for woody vegetation were often implemented too late, as damage from roots was already evident, leading to substantial restoration costs. In response to this issue, new environmentally friendly solutions based on tree physiology were developed, some of which were patented. These methods enable the debilitation of young trees before they cause severe structural damage, thereby greatly minimizing repair efforts. The paper also reiterated the regulatory frameworks regarding the safety of hydraulic structures and environmental preservation that managers currently face concerning vegetation management. Current management principles and innovative approaches for the selective debilitation of young woody species were partially unveiled.