United States Department of Transportation
i
The Development of Novel and Non-Invasive Germplasm Selections Native to Arkansas for Highway Re-Vegetation Projects
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2012-03-01
[PDF-148.81 KB]
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Abstract:Re-vegetation strategies and programs for highway rights of way in both rural and urban areas are an importatn component of any highway construction project. Vegetation is ued to stabilize soils to prevent sheet and gully erosion and to help in soil remediation in disturbed sites. Vegetation is also used as filter strips to protect sensitive wetlands from sedimentation caused by stormwater runoff. Additionally, vegetation can be used in highway beautification projects to enhance the visibility of many highway projects and to promote seasonal tourism in rural areas such as driving tours of fall tree color. Vegetation can also act as visual and sound barriers in urban built up areas. Many plant species used for highway re-vegetation projects have shown to be invasive or unsustainable over time. Kudzu in the southeast United States and Bradford Pear in Arkansas damage native habitats and are expensitve and difficult to control. Techniques and methodology using sustainable landscape system principles are currently under development for use in natural and built environments, bus much is still unknown particularly in planting and establishment guidelines and in plant propagation and production practices. The objective of this prposed research is to develop novel plant germplasm that is regionally native, adapted, and non-invasive and useful for rural and urban highway re-vegetation projects.This particular component will be accomplished by traditional plant selection methods via the collection of native and regional plant materials (seeds, cuttings, etc.) and evaluation under simulated roadside conditions. Another major objective of this proposed research is to develop science-based best management practices guidelines for using native plants in Arkansas for re-vegetation projects by investigating best methods for transplanting and establishment along simulated roadsides. Interactions with fertility applications and herbicide use will be studied. Expected outcomes include the development and release of novel germplasm useful for re-vegetation projects along rural and urban highways in the State of Arkansas, new knowledge on the production of these species using sustainable propagation methods, and finally the generation of best management practices and guidelines for the use of any native plants and make the information accessible to vegetation managers and highway project planners.
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