It acts as a soil-binding tree by spreading a network of lateral roots on the top surface of the soil.

Improved management can limit erosion by using techniques like limiting disturbance during construction, avoiding construction during erosion-prone periods, intercepting runoff, terrace-building, use of erosion-suppressing cover materials, and planting trees or other soil-binding plants.

The late-afternoon Caribbean sun was kind and the guests enjoyed a gentle breeze off the Atlantic as they gathered on acres of Kikuyu grass - Pennisetum cladestinum, imported from Kenya for its decorative and soil-binding properties - on the terraces below Tye's mansion.