ROOM FOR NATURAL GROWTH : NATIVE PLANT COMMUNITIES HAVE ADVANTAGES OVER CONVENTIONAL RIGHT-OF-WAY PLANTINGS

This article discusses the use of native plant communities as sustainable landscape fixtures in large transportation projects, and gives as an example the U.S. Highway 183 Loop 1 project being conducted by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). Native plant communities, aside from being appealing to the public, are both self-sustaining in terms of water and maintenance. In addition, they help to break down the massive amounts of poisonous runoff from large interchanges such as Loop 1, which spans nearly 100 acres. Native plant communities such as the one TxDOT used for Loop 1, include a diversity of plant types, sizes, and species (all native and non-invasive); sufficient mass to have an interior area that is shaded and protected from extreme exposure (with a 40 ft. desired diameter); and a ground surface that is thick with micro-organisms, here this took shape as organic mulches until a natural cycle began. During the one year establishment period, only weeds and invasive plants were removed from the plant community. Plants that died naturally were allowed to decompose to enrich soil, and smaller weed-like indigenous plants were allowed to proliferate. TxDOT engineers anticipated that the shade of the canopy would keep their growth under control. Plant communities offer a reduction in maintenance costs since once the plantings are established, they rarely need maintenance. Although the actual effects of this community have not been tested, research shows that they do, in general, help entrap particulates. TxDOT has also built this type of native plant community in Houston, Dallas, Waco, and Fort Worth.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/11660022
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Page range: pp 44-46, 48-49
• Corporate Authors:

  Scranton Gillette Communications

  380 E Northwest Highway, Suite 200
  Des Planes, IL  United States  60016-2282
• Authors:
  • Schutt, J
• Publication Date: 2005-9

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos;
• Pagination: 5p
• Serial:
  • Roads & Bridges
  • Volume: 43
  • Issue Number: 9
  • Publisher: Scranton Gillette Communications
  • ISSN: 8750-9229
  • Serial URL: http://www.roadsbridges.com/rb/

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cost effectiveness; Environmental design; Landscaping; Mowing; Native plants; Vegetation; Water pollution
• Geographic Terms: Texas
• Subject Areas: Design; Environment; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01006932
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: UC Berkeley Transportation Library
• Files: BTRIS, TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 8 2005 7:32AM