Road ecology blog: Maintenance sign, start no mowing zone, Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida, USA.

The vegetation in right-of-ways is typically kept short. The clear zone gives drivers an opportunity to regain control of their vehicle immediately after it has left the pavement. In addition, some studies suggest that increased sight distances may reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions. On the other hand, grass-herb vegetation in right-of-ways can be an attractant to large ungulates, especially in heavily forested areas. This may lead to an increase in wildlife-vehicle collisions. For other species large open areas may be a barrier and removing trees and shrubs from a zone adjacent to the pavement increases the barrier effect of the road.  Finally removing or altering vegetation alongside the pavement increases the footprint of a road.

In the image below the management of the right-of-way vegetation changes as it enters a natural area.

Click here for images of vegetation management along roads and highways.

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All content © 2013 Marcel Huijser

Maintenance sign, start no mowing zone, Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida, USAMaintenance sign, start no mowing zone, Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida, USA