Influence of Cutting Time on Brush Response: Implications for Herbivory in Linear (Transportation) Corridors |
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Authors: | Roy V Rea Kenneth N Child David P Spata Douglas MacDonald |
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Institution: | (1) University of Northern British Columbia, Ecosystem Science and Management Program, Prince George, V2N 4Z9, British Columbia, Canada;(2) British Columbia Hydro & Power Authority, Engineering Environmental Services, Prince George, V2N 2K4, British Columbia, Canada;(3) British Columbia Rail Ltd., Corporate Environmental Services, Prince George, V2N 2K8, British Columbia, Canada;(4) Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, Public Affairs and Road Safety, Prince George, V2L 5B8, British Columbia, Canada |
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Abstract: | An experiment was conducted to determine the influence the time of brush-cutting can have on plant regrowth and attractiveness
to herbivores that browse in linear corridors. The influence of cutting time on leaf flush and senescence, shoot morphometry,
and biomass was measured for 3 consecutive years after initial brush-cutting. Results indicate that morphological and phenological
attributes of three woody deciduous plants were influenced by the timing of brush-cutting for up to 3 years after initial
cutting. Brush-cutting generally stimulated plants to produce larger than normal shoots and delay leaf senescence. The degree
to which plants were affected, however, varied with the timing of initial cutting and the species in question. Generally,
plants cut later in the year resprouted more vigorously and were taller in the third year after cutting but produced less
overall biomass than when cut earlier. In the years following brush-cutting, plants cut earlier flushed leaves earlier in
the spring but delayed leaf senescence in the fall when compared to uncut controls. Results of these trials suggest that brush-cutting
time influences plant response and several plant attributes known to influence plant attractiveness to moose and other herbivores.
We therefore recommend that roadside and railside vegetation management plans consider the influence of cutting time on plant
regrowth. Such considerations can ensure that brush is cut to reduce the attractiveness of plant regrowth in these linear
corridors, reduce the utilization of such brush by herbivores, and, as such, mitigate collision risk between motorists and
herbivores such as moose. |
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Keywords: | Browse Brush-cutting Collision Herbivore Resprouts Vegetation management |
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