ENVIRONMENTAL CONNECTION / THIRD QUARTER 2025 / IECA.ORG 21 By Moisés A. Cavero; Miguel Tapia-Mendoza; Víctor Lazcano Cornejo; Juan M. Vázquez Donnadieu; Carlos F. Garcia Hydroseeding at Maya Train Project – An Environmental Challenge Hydroseeding was carried out in specific sections of the new “Tren Maya” railway that traverses the Yucatán peninsula in Mexico (Figure 1). The hydroseeding successfully revegetated embankment slopes to form a vegetative cover that mitigates raindrop impact and prevents erosion processes. The railway extends for 932 miles (1,500 km) along the Yucatán Peninsula and was divided into seven sections (Figure 2). This train crosses five southeastern Mexican states of Campeche, Yucatán, Quintana Roo, Tabasco and Chiapas. The hydroseeding was conducted between December 2023 and January 2025. The main challenges for revegetation were the type of soil, which consists of crushed limestone rock, the absence of topsoil in most of the areas and high temperatures, especially from March to June (Figure 1). A mixture of tropical grass seeds was used, specifically annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) and braquiaria (Brachiaria brizantha), which were sourced from certified suppliers. Calcareous soils with high gravel content present challenges for successful revegetation. They are structurally loose and have lowmoisture retention capacity, high porosity and irregular surfaces that reduce the adhesion of applied materials. A technically efficient solution is combined paper mulch and wood fiber. Cellulose, with its fine texture, ensures more uniform coverage across the soil surface and provides high water retention. Its carbon-to-nitrogen (C:N) ratio, closest to natural source, allows good microbial activity that supports seed germination. Wood fiber contributes to the longevity of the interlocking structure that anchors effectively between coarse particles, with the amount of tackifier enhancing slope stability and erosion protection. This combination offsets the physical limitations of the substrate by integrating the absorbent properties of cellulose with the structural threedimensional wood fiber. The blend improves the efficiency of fertilizer and mycorrhizal incorporation and enhances hydraulic performance during application. To determine Figure 1. Hydroseeding while Maya train transit is on top of the fill slope. INTERNATIONAL PEER REVIEW >>
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