Pollinator Habitat Conservation Along Roadways, Volume 1: Alaska (2023) / Chapter Skim
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From page 127... ...
7-1 Chapter 7 Revegetation and Pollinators: Design and Implementation 7.1 Introduction Habitat loss is a leading factor in the decline of many pollinators (NRC 2007) , and increasing pollinator habitat is an effective conservation strategy (e.g., Tonietto and Larkin 2018)
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From page 128... ...
Chapter 7. Revegetation and Pollinators: Design and Implementation 7-2 7.2 Considering Imperiled Pollinators in Revegetation Enhancing habitat for imperiled pollinators, or for pollinators in general, can be a specific objective for revegetation projects. Even if it is not a specific objective, elements that increase the value of the revegetation project to pollinators can be incorporated into other project objectives.
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From page 129... ...
Chapter 7. Revegetation and Pollinators: Design and Implementation 7-3 Pollinators Food for Larval Stage Food for Adult Shelter, Overwintering General Revegetation Goals Tunnel‐ nesting bees Provisions of nectar and pollen within the nest. Nectar. Nest in narrow tunnels in dead standing trees, or excavate nests in hollow stems or pith of twigs. Some construct domed nests of mud, plant resins, saps, or gums on the surface of rocks or trees. Increase density and diversity of native flowering plants. Retain or install woody plants and herbaceous plants with hollow or pithy stems.
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From page 130... ...
Chapter 7. Revegetation and Pollinators: Design and Implementation 7-4 Pollinators Food for Larval Stage Food for Adult Shelter, Overwintering General Revegetation Goals Flies Some species are carnivorous, consuming prey such as aphids, scales, or mites; others are decomposers in the soil. Nectar; some species also eat pollen. Overwinter in soil or leaf litter. Increase density and diversity of native flowering plants. Retain overwintering sites when feasible. Wasps Provisions of insect prey such as caterpillars, aphids, grasshoppers, planthoppers, true bugs, and more. Nectar. Many nest in the ground; others nest in tunnel nests in wood or cavities in mud or resin. Increase density and diversity of native flowering plants. Retain areas with partially vegetated well‐drained soil. Retain or install woody plants and herbaceous plants with hollow or pithy stems. Roadsides can provide pollinators with their key habitat needs -- food for larvae and adults, and shelter and overwintering habitat. In particular, native plants are important for pollinators.
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From page 131... ...
Chapter 7. Revegetation and Pollinators: Design and Implementation 7-5 monotony, contributing to clearer thinking, and reducing driver stress (Topp 1990; Cackowsky and Nasar 2003; Mok et al. 2006; Macdonald et al.
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From page 132... ...
Chapter 7. Revegetation and Pollinators: Design and Implementation 7-6 roadside landscapes found that prairie plantings were ranked as most attractive, and a mix of trees, shrubs, and prairie also ranked highly. Mown turf, along with brome grass with a mowed turf edge, were ranked the least attractive by drivers (Nassauer et al.
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From page 133... ...
Chapter 7. Revegetation and Pollinators: Design and Implementation 7-7 Munguira and Thomas 1992) , as well as those that use the roadside as a partial habitat for foraging but reproduce or overwinter elsewhere (e.g., Ouin et al.
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From page 134... ...
Chapter 7. Revegetation and Pollinators: Design and Implementation 7-8 When possible, prioritize the use of plant materials that are sourced from local ecotype providers. Plant materials that originated in geographic proximity to the project site are best adapted for local growing conditions and for pollinators.
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Chapter 7. Revegetation and Pollinators: Design and Implementation 7-9 7.3.3 Roadsides and Connectivity Landscape connectivity is increasingly important for the populations of many species, including pollinators (Haddad 1999; Haddad and Baum 1999)
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From page 136... ...
Chapter 7. Revegetation and Pollinators: Design and Implementation 7-10 be the goal in order to prevent grasses from outcompeting wildflowers. Flowering plant cover could be spread out throughout the growing season, with 15 percent cover of species that flower in spring, 15 percent in summer, and 15 percent in autumn.
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Chapter 7. Revegetation and Pollinators: Design and Implementation 7-11 Consider additional specific habitat needs, such as nesting or overwintering habitat. Some imperiled species have very specific habitat needs.
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Chapter 7. Revegetation and Pollinators: Design and Implementation 7-12 provide erosion control as they grow through the summer months and into the fall. Legumes can fix nitrogen and improve soil health.
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From page 139... ...
Chapter 7. Revegetation and Pollinators: Design and Implementation 7-13 Where available and economical, native plants and seed should be procured from local ecotype providers. Local ecotype plant materials are adapted to the local climatic conditions, will generally establish well, and will have bloom times in sync with the presence of monarchs and other pollinators.
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Chapter 7. Revegetation and Pollinators: Design and Implementation 7-14 Table 7-3. Native Plants with value to pollinators for use on roadsides in Alaska.
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Chapter 7. Revegetation and Pollinators: Design and Implementation 7-15 Scientific Name Common Name Bloom Period Life Cycle Form (Forb, Shrub, Tree, Sedge, Grass) Sun Soil (Dry, Moist, Wet)
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Chapter 7. Revegetation and Pollinators: Design and Implementation 7-16 Scientific Name Common Name Bloom Period Life Cycle Form (Forb, Shrub, Tree, Sedge, Grass) Sun Soil (Dry, Moist, Wet)
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Chapter 7. Revegetation and Pollinators: Design and Implementation 7-17 Scientific Name Common Name Bloom Period Life Cycle Form (Forb, Shrub, Tree, Sedge, Grass) Sun Soil (Dry, Moist, Wet)
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Chapter 7. Revegetation and Pollinators: Design and Implementation 7-18 To identify additional species appropriate to this region and valuable to pollinators, use the Ecoregional Revegetation Assistant Tool, a map-based online tool to aid practitioners when selecting native plants for restoration and pollinator habitat enhancement. The map can be used to find a state or US Environmental Protection Agency Level III Ecoregion, and the tool will produce a list of plants and plant attributes suitable for that area.
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From page 145... ...
Chapter 7. Revegetation and Pollinators: Design and Implementation 7-19 Plantings for pollinators at rest areas or welcome centers can also be opportunities for experimentation, places where DOTs can trial particular seed mixes or planting methods on a smaller scale before implementing them on a larger area. Wisconsin DOT, for example, is currently restoring prairie at two of its busiest rest areas, removing invasive species and interseeding additional prairie species. There are also opportunities for collaborations and partnerships in these spaces. Georgia DOT is in the process of installing pollinator habitats at some of rest areas and welcome centers, in partnership with the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts. Kansas DOT worked with partners to trial prescribed burning to manage plantings at several of their rest areas. 7.4 Installation Considerations for Revegetation 7.4.1 Sourcing Plant Materials Obtaining locally or regionally sourced native plant materials in sufficient quality and quantities for a project involves advance planning. Coordination with native plant providers early in the planning process is important.
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From page 146... ...
Chapter 7. Revegetation and Pollinators: Design and Implementation 7-20 any amount of weed seed or inert material. Review the certificate before purchase of the seed lot and reject seed lots that contain undesirable species as contaminants that might pose a risk to the planting.
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From page 147... ...
Chapter 7. Revegetation and Pollinators: Design and Implementation 7-21 mowing strategies that limit disturbance during periods of highest use by target species; an integrated vegetation management plan to address weed issues; the planting of native species to enhance pollinator habitat; removal of non-native species from species mixes; and obtaining expert training or assistance on pollinators-friendly practices. Funding was not appropriated by Congress as part of the FY 2022 budget for either the Invasive Plant Elimination Program or the Pollinator-Friendly Practices grant program but will hopefully be included in future budgets.
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From page 148... ...
Chapter 7. Revegetation and Pollinators: Design and Implementation 7-22 bill pointed to saving taxpayers expenses due to replanting, and to benefits for wildlife and clean water. The text of the bill can be found here: https://legiscan.com/NJ/text/S227/2016.
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From page 149... ...
Chapter 7. Revegetation and Pollinators: Design and Implementation 7-23 Box 7‐2. Scorecard for prioritizing sites for revegetation to support imperiled pollinators Resources to install high‐quality, diverse native plant material may be limited. Limited resources can be leveraged by prioritizing some roadside sites for revegetation that involves habitat restoration for imperiled or at‐risk pollinators. Use this tool to help determine a score for a site that can be helpful in site prioritization. Select all the options that apply to the site: ⌧ Presence of focal pollinator species. A listed or imperiled pollinator species is known to be in the vicinity or was previously found at the site. (2pts) ⌧ Landscape connectivity. The site improves connectivity of existing habitat within the landscape. For example, the site is near or connected to a natural area (e.g., state park, national forest, nature preserve)
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From page 150... ...
Chapter 7. Revegetation and Pollinators: Design and Implementation 7-24 Chapter 9 includes a tool to help evaluate sites for their conservation value to pollinators: the Pollinator Habitat Assessment Guide for Roadsides. The tool includes a rapid assessment and a comprehensive assessment of roadside pollinator habitat.
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From page 151... ...
Chapter 7. Revegetation and Pollinators: Design and Implementation 7-25 When installing seeds, select the method of seeding that is most appropriate for the site. See Table 7-5 for an overview of the advantages, disadvantages, and tips on seeding techniques, using the three main seeding methods used in roadside revegetation.
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From page 152... ...
Chapter 7. Revegetation and Pollinators: Design and Implementation 7-26 Seeding Method Where to Use Site Preparation Needed Seeding Techniques Following Seeding Greater quantities of seed (up to 50% more) are required.
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From page 153... ...
Chapter 7. Revegetation and Pollinators: Design and Implementation 7-27 Seeding Method Where to Use Site Preparation Needed Seeding Techniques Following Seeding reduces soil erosion. The project can be seeded from the shoulder. Hydroseeding is good for visible sites; hydromulch can hold the seed in place until there is enough moisture for germination and protect it from seed predators.
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From page 154... ...
Chapter 7. Revegetation and Pollinators: Design and Implementation 7-28 weeds during planting. The use of sphagnum peat moss should be avoided because of the impact on wetlands and the associated release of greenhouse gases.
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Chapter 7. Revegetation and Pollinators: Design and Implementation 7-29 7.4.5 Long-Term Management: After Establishment Plant communities need management over time to maintain species diversity and reduce encroachment by weeds or woody plants that may shade out plants in their understory. Practitioners generally follow these best practices in long-term management of plantings: 1.
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From page 156... ...
Chapter 7. Revegetation and Pollinators: Design and Implementation 7-30 Issues / Concerns Management Options Invasive weed management Use mowing or herbicides (or less commonly, prescribed burning or grazing) to control invasives, timing management for when target species are most vulnerable. 7.5 Case Studies 7.5.1 Adapting Design and Management in Washington Washington DOT is working to restore corridors of ROWs to design roadsides so that they look seamless with the surrounding landscape, as if no construction has taken place.
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From page 157... ...
Chapter 7. Revegetation and Pollinators: Design and Implementation 7-31 Bayberry shrubs were planted around the perimeter of the planting. Landscape designers worked with New York DOT's maintenance staff to determine when and where mowing should be avoided.
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