RESEARCH ON CURRENT SITUATION AND PROPOSED SOLUTIONS FOR SELECTING APPROPRIATE PLANT SPECIES FOR RIVERBANK, CANAL, AND STREAM EROSION CONTROL IN AN GIANG PROVINCE

Abstract

The article aims to evaluate the characteristics of riparian vegetation in acid sulfate soil areas of An Giang province, with the goal of identifying plant species suitable for riverbank, canal, and stream erosion control. Field surveys were conducted to record 28 representative plant species and assess their distribution, morphological traits, and ecological characteristics. The vegetation typically forms mixed clusters, with dominant communities including Melaleuca cajuputi, bamboo, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, and Chrysopogon zizanioides (Vetiver grass), all demonstrating strong adaptability to acidic soil conditions. Biodiversity indices such as species richness, evenness, and dominance were analyzed to determine the ecological roles of each species. Based on the findings, the study proposes several species -Vetiver grass, Sarcocephalus orientalis, Melaleuca cajuputi, and Phragmites australis-as potential candidates for integration into eco-hydrological models to prevent riparian erosion. These results provide a scientific basis for applying vegetation-based solutions in erosion control strategies in acid sulfate soil regions of the Mekong Delta.