It may also be used in environmental restoration. Black willow is very resistant to herbivory, flooding, and is an erosion control tool. "Salix nigra" is used for marshland stabilization or restoration projects as long as the roots don't penetrate any clay liner that may be in place. "Salix nigra" demonstrated some success as a photodegradation tool. Photodegradation is theorized to work by drawing the target chemical, such as Bentazon, up the roots and stem into the leaves where it is degraded by higher energy radiation provided by the sun.