More complex ones have a sturdy substrate made out of rocks or gravel, topped by clay and finally packed

with soil. This type of more permanent berm is often used to contain floodwaters, provide a barrier
between land belonging to different people, or to keep livestock confined. When well maintained, they can
last for centuries and have a profound shaping impact on the landscape that they are constructed in. In
some instances, the mound is so old that it is not readily recognizable as a human construction, and may be
confused with part of the natural landscape.
In landscaping and architecture, many green designers use berms extensively. Because they have a natural
look and feel to them, they can help insulate a home from noise and wind without being obtrusive, like a
fence. The berm itself can be landscaped with grasses and trees to give it a more natural look and feel.
Some green designers will actually surround a home with such earthworks to blend it in with the
environment while providing insulation from wind and preventing heat loss from the home. This also
reduces the ecological footprint of the home, because it requires less resources to heat and cool. A classic
example of a bermed home is the hobbit holes seen in the Lord of the Rings, which appear to blend
naturally into the hillsides around them.