ecological functions are gaining in importance, particularly as these can be fulfilled to a very limited extent only by classical engineering constructions. Ecological functions improvement of water regime by improved soil interception and storage capability as well as water consumption by plants soil drainage protection from wind protection from ambient air pollution mechanical soil amelioration by the roots of plants balancing of temperature conditions in near–ground layers of air and in the soil shading improvement of nutrient content in the soil and thus of soil fertility on previously raw soils balancing of snow deposits noise protection yield increase on neighbouring cropland Landscaping functions healing of wounds inflicted on the landscape by disasters and humans (exploitation of mineral resources, construction work, deposition of overburden, tunnel excavation material, industrial and domestic waste) integration of structures into the landscape concealment of offending structures enrichment of the landscape by creating new features and structures, shapes and colours of vegetation Economic effects Bioengineering control works are not always necessarily cheaper in construction when compared to classical engineering structures. However, when taking into account their lifetime including their service and maintenance, they will normally turn out to be more economical. Their special advantages are: lower construction costs compared to “hard” constructions lower maintenance and rehabilitation costs creation of useful green areas and woody plant populations on previously derelict land Useful for income generation The result of soil bioengineering protection works are living systems which develop further and maintain their balance by natural succession (i.e. by dynamic self–control, without artificial input of energy). If the right living but also non–living building materials and the appropriate types of construction are chosen, exceptionally high sustainability requiring little maintenance effort can be achieved. References Soil science Civil engineering Forestry Sustainable forest management Forestry and the environment Environmental soil science