The manager of Gardenview Landscaping and Pot Plants says that a simple switch of the main grass species planted on island will play a significant role in Samoa's battle to withstand climate change and its many damaging effects.

Muāausa Fiona Talouli is an advocate for vetiver grass, which she says is a simple, practical, inexpensive, low maintenance and very effective means of soil and water conservation, sediment control, land stabilization and rehabilitation.

The grass was first brought to Samoa from Fiji by Muāausa's grandfather.

"As our country has been face heavy raining rainfalls and flooding during the beginning of the year, vetiver grass can help maintain soil and preventing soil erosion," she said.

The manager told the Samoa Observer that vetiver grass is used to halt erosion.

"The roots of the Vetiver grass grow more: about 10 metres, so the roots prevent soil erosion during raining seasons," she said.

"Vetiver grass are [able] to grow under pipelines [so] by the time it rains and [there is a] flood there will be no more soil to erode."

Gardenview Landscaping and Pot Plants has worked with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment on projects to stop soil erosion. They first planted vetiver grass at the Fagalii riverbanks and Muāausa says it has already had a significant impact.

"Before there was no plants or grass at the area but ever since we plant Vetiver, the grass is starting to cover the ground," she said.

Vetiver grass is currently being planted at the Fagalii riverbanks, Vaivase-Tai riverbanks, the Vaiola Church College compound, Maninoa Bech-Hanna and Alvin property, and on the premises of the Ministry of Sports Education and Culture.

If Vetiver grass burns the roots will remain undamaged and its leaves can regenerate, Muāausa said.

She also told the Samoa Observer, that planting and maintaining the grass is easy.

"But we also have to maintain it inorder to grow healthy," she said.

"Vetiver grass stabilises the soil so none of the plants in gardens will be washed away when it's raining season."