Alternative Mowing Regimes’ Influence on Native Plants and Deer: SS228 Final Project Report

This study evaluated mowing regimes, changes in native and non-native plant communities, deer presence in the research plots, and public perception of various management practices on right of ways (ROWs). No significant difference was found in the height of vegetation 3 weeks after each mowing between research plots mowed 4 times per year and plots mowed only once per year in uplands or lowlands. Native plants increased in plots mowed once per year and deer preferred the frequently mowed plots where clovers and vetches had been seeded. Increasing the carrying capacity of the lowlands with more extensive plantings of clover and vetch may attract deer, thus encouraging them to browse and use the underpasses beneath bridges and making the ROWs safer. The public survey found strong support for wildflowers on ROWs and a distaste for litter. Further, respondents would tolerate a less manicured ROW if it saved money, made the roads safer, and hid litter. Overall the study suggested that ROWs would be less costly to maintain, safer, and more attractive to motorists if mowing were reduced to once per year in late fall after seed set. However, the concurrent implementation of a comprehensive education program would be essential.

• Record URL:
  • http://mdot.ms.gov/documents/research/Reports/Interim%20and%20Final%20Reports/State%20Study%20228%20-%20Alternative%20Mowing%20Regimes%92%20Influence%20on%20Native%20Plants%20and%20Deer.pdf
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  Mississippi State University, Mississippi State

  Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology, and Plant Pathology
  Mississippi State, MS  United States  39762

  Mississippi State University, Mississippi State

  Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture
  Mississippi State, MS  United States  39762

  Mississippi Department of Transportation

  401 North West Street, P.O. Box 1850
  Jackson, MS  United States  39215-1850

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Guyton, John
  • Jones, Jeanne C
  • Entsminger, Edward
• Publication Date: 2014-7

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Maps; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 79p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Deer; Landscape maintenance; Mowing; Native plants; Public opinion; Right of way (Land); Surveys; Vegetation
• Subject Areas: Environment; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; I15: Environment; I61: Equipment and Maintenance Methods;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01551279
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/MDOT-RD-14-228
• Contract Numbers: SS228
• Files: TRIS, ATRI, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jan 27 2015 11:22AM