Hugo M. Schiecht
Hugo Meinhard Schiecht (1922-2002) was an Austrian architect, engineer, botanist, professor, author, vegetative cartographer, and painter. He stood out for describing, painting and inventorying the alpine vegetation and, especially, for his work in the control of erosive processes and the perennialization of water courses and stabilization of slopes using vegetative measures. In this aspect, he was responsible for creating a new field of investigation and work, Natural Engineering (Bioengineering). His most well-known book, Bioengineering for Land Reclamation and Conservation, is one of the best textbooks on the topic of stopping erosion with a combination of plants and structures.
This practical handbook shows how vegetation can be used for the protection, stabilization and ecological enhancement of riverbanks and shores. It covers a range of techniques from wholly vegetative ‘soft’ techniques to ‘semi-hard’ or composite structures with vegetative inclusions. A chapter on bioengineering techniques in earth dam and floodbank construction is also included. Together with its companion book, Ground Bioengineering Techniques, this handbook on water bioengineering provides a rare opportunity to gain insight into the approach of its chief proponents–Professor H.M. Schiecht and his colleague, Dr R. Stern–in the use of vegetation for the engineering and ecological and visual enhancement of waterways and shorelines.
In 1957, Schiecht worked at the Federal Forest Research Institute in Innsbruck, Austria, in the research and planning of the building of geobotany and avalanche control. Nowadays, water and ground bioengineering techniques combined with the expertise of civil engineers, landscape architects, botanists and ecologists, are increasingly being used to protect and restore the natural environment.
Books: Bioengineering For Land Reclamation And Conservation, Water Bioengineering Techniques: For Watercourse Bank and Shoreline Protection, Ground Bioengineering Techniques: For Slope Protection and Erosion Control
