Evaluation of Revegetation Techniques for Roadside Construction Sites

Abstract

Vegetation is often used to control erosion on right-of-way construction sites, but disturbed conditions provide challenges. This research evaluated the impact of common techniques for preparing seedbeds. The study assessed the use of topsoil, and the use of a hydraulic erosion-control product was compared to straw. Experimental seed mixtures were evaluated to understand how native and non-native seeds performed. The intent was to identify critical practices to use in general seeding and mulching specifications. A plot study was conducted comparing vegetation established during one growing season. Treatments included combinations of seed mixture, topsoil treatment, and mulch types. Three seed mixtures were considered: (1) currently used mixture, (2) a warm-season experimental mixture, and (3) a cool-season experimental mixture. Plots with topsoil and no topsoil were compared, and both straw and hydraulic erosion control products were considered. Ground cover, compaction, and biomass were evaluated. Results suggest that alternative seed mixtures that include native and low-threat-level species can provide adequate cover to meet permitting requirements in the first growing season. The warm-season seed mixture provided less cover than the other two mixtures after eight days, but no differences were determined in ground cover among the three seed mixtures at the end of the growing season. Initial germination was improved with hydraulic mulch, but long-term cover was equivalent between hydraulic and straw mulch. Topsoil application would not be recommended if the soil contains undesirable species, and the use of organic amendment products may be more desirable than topsoil alone; however, specifications need to allow the use of these products.

Soil properties limiting vegetation establishment along roadsides

“…Understanding how key soil fertility and physical properties differ among different microtopographic roadside positions is an important first step to identifying factors affecting roadside vegetation establishment. The use of remediation measures (Hillhouse, Schacht, Soper, & Weinhold, 2018; Litalien & Zeeb, 2020) and identification of salt‐ and compaction‐tolerant plants (Friell, Watkins, & Horgan, 2012; Hilvers, Hopkinson, & Davis, 2017; Johnson, 2008) need to be investigated to successfully establish roadside vegetation in Nebraska.…”

Vegetation Change in Road Slopes in the Mediterranean Region Over 25 Years

“…However, the lack of persistence of hydroseeded species over time does not imply a failure in revegetation; the herbaceous cover implanted through hydroseeding was a transitory stage, whose main objective should be stop erosion in the short term, allowing plant colonisation on the slopes.The composition of seed mixtures is important for hydroseeding success (Tinsley et al, 2006;. The use of native species improves sowing results compared to commercial mixtures (Tormo et al, 2007;Bochet et al, 2010a;Hilvers et al, 2017); all the seed mixtures used in the studied slopes were specifically designed, and non commercial. When the species selected are adapted to climate and local constraints they can persist more time, contributing to preserving the vegetation cover, so species selection is a key factor to improve revegetation in the short-and medium-term.…”

Review of cool‐season turfgrasses for salt‐affected roadsides in cold climates

“…Duell and Schmit (1974) noted the adaptability and robustness of tall fescue and attributed its widespread implementation on roadsides to the Soil Conservation Service. Recently, tall fescue has been more commonly used in roadside turfgrass mixtures and specified for use by departments of transportation in many U.S. states where cool‐season grasses are used on roadsides including Nebraska, Wisconsin, Iowa, and east to Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, and North Carolina, among others (Brown, Gorres, & Sawyer, 2011; Engelhardt & Hawkins, 2016; Hilvers, Hopkinson, & Davis, 2017; Kuhns, 1991; Watkins et al., 2019).…”