**3. Coconets**

Coconets are made from 100% coir fiber twine woven into high strength nets for extreme slope stabilization, protection of high velocity stream banks and high velocity intermittent flow channels. The natural coconut coir material perform very well in applications such as erosion control blankets for landscaping. The mesh of woven coconut coir matting acts as miniature dams that prevents the seeds or seedlings to be washed away by rain and wind and facilites the growth. The netting breaks up runoff from heavy rains and dissipates the energy of flowing water. Once the growth of vegetation has occurred the function of the coir is over and the vegetation takes over the protection of the soil further. Coconut fiber also promotes the growth of new vegetations by absorbing water and preventing the topsoil from drying out.

In the study conducted by Bureau of Research and Standards (BRS) of DPWH, results showed that the method of using Geonets (specifically, coconets) to protect developing vegetation against water and wind erosion have proven to be essential since it provides the soil surface with partial shading, moderation of soil temperatures and moisture retention. These materials are prescribed to initially stabilize the soil but without live plants and trees, the effective erosion control would not be achieved. The benefits of applying

Bioengineering techniques such as the use of hydroseeding and coconets in accelerating vegetation helps control soil erosion and stabilize the soil. With the use coco coir products as slope protection, slope above the road will be prevented from caving in. Thus, damages triggered by soil erosion on infrastructure such as roads and bridges will be prevented if slope protection is present.
