The potential impact of vegetation management herbicides has been studied almost as long as they have been used.
Back in 1953, a vegetation management research project was initiated in Pennsylvania?State Game Lands 33 Research and Demonstration Project (SGL 33). Today, FirstEnergy Corp. is partnered with the Pennsylvania Game Commission, Penn State's School of Forestry, Asplundh Tree Expert Co. and Dow AgroSciences to evaluate herbicidal effect on wildlife. Dr. Richard Yahner, a professor of wildlife conservation at Penn State University, is the lead researcher of the project and takes pride in the ongoing study.
"Ecology is always evolving, and we must do our best to keep up with it," Yahner said.
Recent findings
Yahner says small mammals are key components in any ecosystem.
"Small mammals have many benefits in a natural ecosystem," he said. "They are an important element in the food chain as they are prey for hawks, foxes and owls, but they are also major predators on insects and tree seeds."
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As a follow-up to a two-year study of small mammals conducted in 1989-90, a 2004-05 study was conducted along SGL 33. The study found that one of the most important cover types to small mammals was forb-grass, which was established through an integrated vegetation management program using mowing plus herbicide applications. In this area, cut-stubble treatments were made with Tordon K herbicide at 0.5 gallon mixed with 7 fluid ounces of Milestone VM specialty herbicide, and applied in Thinvert RTU at 5 gallons per acre after mowing, but before resprouting occurs.
The same study also found that forest cover types have fewer mammal species than are found under the right-of-way, which is consistent with previous findings.
"Small-mammal diversity would be expected to be greater on the right-of-way with heterogeneous vegetation compared with the more homogeneous forest areas," Yahner said.
Ongoing studies on birds, reptiles, amphibians and butterflies by Yahner and his team at SGL 33 and Green Lane have confirmed the importance of proper right-of-way management to benefit these wildlife.