Critical Area Planting (NRCS #342)

Applicable Systems

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About

Critical area plantings establish permanent vegetation on land susceptible to erosion, or on sites with physical, chemical, or biological properties that hinder vegetation establishment. The main goals of critical area plantings are to stabilize land with high rates of erosion, stream and channel banks, and sand dunes or riparian zones¹ ². Critical area plantings are most needed on landscapes experiencing high levels of disturbance, either through natural causes or due to human activities. More generally, critical area plantings stabilize the soil, reduce erosion, improve water quality, enhance public safety, and protect infrastructure.

Key aspects and considerations:

Prepare the site through a site investigation, clearing unwanted plants or weeds, and properly creating a seedbed.
Select species compatible with site characteristics and the regional climate.
Ensure planting method aligns with site conditions.

Benefits and Limitations

ACRE Category	Benefits	Limitations
Soil Health	Established vegetation and perennial root systems increase bank stability and reduce soil erosion³. Perennial root systems reduce compaction and runoff. Permanent vegetation increases biomass and organic matter.	Highly degraded soils may require soil amendments for successful plant establishment⁴. May require additional conservation practices to address widespread erosion⁵.
Water Management	Increased vegetation reduces runoff velocity and sediment loss. Improves water infiltration. Permanent, deep-rooted plants help filter runoff and protect water quality. May provide flood mitigation⁶.	Heavy storm events may overwhelm newly established plantings.
Nutrient Management	By reducing soil erosion and sediment loss, perennial vegetation reduces nutrient loss. If soil was previously bare, planting perennial vegetation can increase soil nutrient concentrations. Perennials increase nutrient uptake and decrease nutrient loss.	May require high rates of nitrogen fertilizer due to challenging site conditions.
Agricultural Production	Protects adjacent cropland from erosion. Requires low maintenance.	Removes area from crop production. Potentially requires herbicide use for weed control. May require regular mowing depending on species and weed competition. May complicate management due to challenging site conditions. Potentially difficult to establish vegetation, especially from seed. May require higher seeding rates.
Biodiversity and Wildlife	Planting native species increases plant diversity and provides wildlife and pollinator habitat. Intentionally establishing vegetation reduces invasive species⁷. Creates and improves wildlife corridors in disturbed landscapes.	Maintenance, including herbicide application and mowing, may negatively impact wildlife and biodiversity. Non-native species or monocultures provide fewer ecological benefits.
GHG Emission	Establishing permanent vegetation increases carbon storage in soil and biomass and decreases greenhouse gas emissions⁸. Reduced erosion and sediment transport may preserve soil carbon stocks.	Net GHG benefits depend on long-term vegetation persistence.
Economics	Reduces costs associated with damages caused by erosion. For coastal sand dune restorations, restorations can increase fish populations, which provide economic benefits to the region. State and federal cost-share programs reduce costs.	Costs include seed and fertilizer costs. Costs vary extensively depending on the size and scale of the project. Economic returns are primarily associated with reduced damages rather than increased revenue.

Impact on Agricultural Resilience

Adding vegetation to disturbed areas or stream banks can increase the ability of the landscape to respond to extreme rainfall and floods. Specifically, trees and shrubs reduce the flow and velocity of water, while also increasing infiltration compared to bare soil. Adding vegetation to areas vulnerable to flooding is a strategy to reduce the risk of flooding. As extreme rainfall events become more common and severe in the Midwest, proactive management to reduce flood vulnerability is crucial.

Regional Applicability

Critical area plantings are relevant to regions across the United States but are particularly important to soils that have experienced large disturbances or are highly erodible. Highly disturbed areas can include abandoned mined lands, urban restoration sites, construction zones, and areas impacted by floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, or wildfires. In the Midwest, sand dunes surrounding Lake Michigan are an example of an area where critical area plantings may be prioritized, in addition to areas vulnerable to flooding.

Case Studies

In Madison, WI, efforts are underway to restore Lower Badger Mill Creek. Historically, this area was protected by wetlands but has since been drained for agriculture. As part of the restoration, ecologists are planting thousands of trees and shrubs, with an aim of reducing the flow of water, and making the area less prone to flooding.
In southcentral Wisconsin, the former Badger Army Ammunition Plant has undergone remediation, including the planting of native vegetation on the contaminated land. Currently, the land is managed by the USDA, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and the Ho-Chunk nation.

Resources

Butler, Ohio Soil & Water Conservation District: Critical Area Plantings
USDA-NRCS: Iowa Critical Area Planting Scenarios
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR): Seeding for Construction Site Erosion Control (1059)
Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy: Sand Dune Stabilization Best Management Practices
Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy: Frequently Asked Questions: Dune Restoration
National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science: If You Build It, Is It Worth It? The Value of Restoring Coastal Sand Dunes and Wetlands
Video. USDA-NRCS: Critical Area Planting

References

USDA-NRCS (2016). Conservation Practice Standard Document, Critical Area Planting, Code 342. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2022-09/Critical_Area_Planting_342_CPS.pdf
USDA-NRCS (2016). Conservation Practice Overview, Critical Area Planting, Code 342. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2022-09/Critical_Area_Planting_342_Overview_Sep_2016.pdf
Simon, A., & Collison, A. J. (2002). Quantifying the mechanical and hydrologic effects of riparian vegetation on streambank stability. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 27(5), 527-546.
Salon, P. A., & Miller, C. F. (2012). A Guide to Conservation Plantings on Critical Areas for the Northeast.
Uniyal, B., Jha, M. K., Verma, A. K., & Anebagilu, P. K. (2020). Identification of critical areas and evaluation of best management practices using SWAT for sustainable watershed management. Science of the Total Environment, 744, 140737.
Schilling, K. E., Mount, J., Suttles, K. M., McLellan, E. L., Gassman, P. W., White, M. J., & Arnold, J. G. (2023). An approach for prioritizing natural infrastructure practices to mitigate flood and nitrate risks in the Mississippi-Atchafalaya River Basin. Land, 12(2), 276.
Schröder, R., & Kiehl, K. (2020). Ecological restoration of an urban demolition site through introduction of native forb species. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 47, 126509.
Swan, A., Oldfield, E., & Toureene, C. (2025). Perennial Plantings and Climate Outcomes: Literature Review and Technical Guidance. Technical Advisory Network for Climate Smart Agricultural Practices. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15777153

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Critical Area Planting photo 1 — Photo 1: In Iowa, a critical area planting is used to reduce a field gully.

Photo courtesy of USDA-NRCS.

Critical Area Planting photo 2 — Photo 2: Terraces used to control soil erosion in Iowa cropland.

Iowa NRCS photo by Jason Johnson.