KLK555: Native Plants for Roadside Revegetation
ITD Research Project 192; Task Order Number UI-09-01
Principal Investigators
James
Kingery and Anthony
Davis
ITD Project Manager
Cathy Ford
FHWA Project Advisor
Brent Inghram
Student Researchers
Olga Kildisheva
Peer reviewer
None selected yet.
Project Objectives
This project will research the reintroduction of native
plants along interstates and state highways and evaluate
existing native plant populations on slope stabilization and
species establishment, as well as evaluate existing weed
populations affected by the reintroduction of native plants. The
reintroduction can also be used for natural habitats, wetland
mitigation or native plant gardens in rest areas. Techniques
that will facilitate establishment of native vegetation will
also be tested and evaluated on areas affected by road
construction and maintenance activities. This project will
include collecting field data on germination and initial plant
establishment, as well as evaluate the longevity of
establishment and effectiveness of native species in highly
altered nutrient deprived site conditions. The overall objective
of this project is to research and evaluate native plant species
for ease of establishment, site adaptability, and effectiveness
for erosion control, slope stability and prevention of weed
encroachment. Past research identified 30 native plant species
that displayed characteristics best suited for Idaho roadside
vegetation that will be used in this research project. These
species were first tested in a greenhouse setting and
subsequently tested on a small scale demonstration site for ease
of establishment. Information obtained from completed projects
is assisting ITD in their revegetation efforts on roadsides,
much of which has been used in revising the Best Management
Practices manual. Information from prior research has also been
used as a valuable aid in training ITD personnel for effective
roadside revegetation techniques.
Project Tasks
- Identify and select a minimum of three appropriate
sites--newly constructed
- Identifying potential sources of plant materials and
appropriate species mixtures most suited for successful
roadside revegetation as determined for each site location.
- Identify appropriate site preparation practices and
planting prescriptions.
- Develop a study design and research treatment methods
consistent for all study sites.
- Identify and hire a Graduate for the project.
- Prepare site locations and implement revegetation
practices.
- Plant selected plant species as specified for each study
site
- Evaluate revegetation practices and implement additional
applications (if needed) too ensure successful plant
germination and adequate plant population establishment for
the course of the project.
- Evaluate and measure initial plant germination and
establishment.
- Assess and summarize plant germination and first year
results for ease of plant establishment, species
adaptability, slope stability, and effectiveness on weed
encroachment.
- Identify and compare existing established native plant
populations for weed encroachment and slope stabilization.
- Monitor second year research sites for continued plant
establishment and species suitability for roadside
vegetation practices, as well as slope stability and effects
that native plants have on weed encroachment.
- Analyze data analysis and assist graduate student in
identifying research thesis project.
- Graduate student defends and submits completed research
thesis.
- Develop training material and presentations for ITD
workshops and update department manuals.
- Submit draft of required output to ITD/FHWA for review.
- ITD/FHWA review of draft completed (due 30 days after
submission of draft).
- Final output due to ITD (due 30 days after submission of
review draft).
Project Communication Schedule
A technical review committee
is being selected and will be in place by July 2008. UI's
principal investigator will schedule regular quarterly
in-person, teleconferences or videoconferences with ITD's
Project Manager to discuss progress being made. Other in-person,
teleconferences or video conferences may be held at the request
of UI or ITD.
Needs and Requirements
The project requirements include securing funding for a
Masters level graduate student for two years, project oversight
by the principle investigator, equipment rental (seeders,
spreaders, mulching equipment and site preparation); securing
plant materials and supplies for field demonstrations. (e.g.,
seed, mulch erosion control blankets, wattles, compost, nursery
stock); storage; any needed repairs (ie., replanting or seeding,
erosion control repair).
Required Outputs
- Final research report
- Revegetation of a minimum of three sites
- Materials for training
- Presentation for ITD workshops
- Manual updates
Outcomes Expected
The research (in field demonstration sites) will help to
integrate the latest information that pertains to soil stabilization
and native plant species selection to achieve optimal roadside
stabilization in Idaho. The results of this project are not limited
to highway construction alone, as they may be applicable to other
sites that have been dramatically altered or that have experienced
vegetation loss.
Expected Savings to ITD
The benefits include reduced roadside maintenance costs and
multiple herbicide applications; better management practices to
manage noxious weeds on right-of-ways, reduced erosion control
costs associated with reapplying erosion control methods or
repairing failed BMPs, increased slope stabilization with
minimal soil movement or slope failures, more favorable and
desirable vegetation management, less negative publicity, and
reduction in fines and lawsuits. Other benefits include revising
and updating BMP practices, training ITD personnel with
effective roadside revegetation techniques, promoting effective
ways to establish long-term, desirable native vegetation and
reducing surface erosion, sedimentation and provide better slope
stability.
Monthly Progress Reports (ITD 771) and Task Progress Charts
Project status: Complete
Final report due date: submitted |
