Study of the Iberian Flora Compatible with Power Lines

Javier Arévalo-Camacho, Jorge Roig-Solés, Carlos Morla Juaristi, Fernando Gómez Manzaneque, Elena Bermejo Bermejo, Felipe Domínguez Lozano, Jesús Maza Pecino, Susana Molinero Herranz, and Leoncio Moreno Rivero

This study analyzes the main characteristics of a large number (450) of the most representative woodland species from both wet and dry regions in Europe and their relationship with high voltage overhead power lines, including all trees and most bushes and shrubs that form significant woodland communities on the Iberian peninsula. Once the initial species list had been compiled, the next step was to analyze the specific characteristics of each specie to assess its compatibility with overhead power lines, and create a database for easy selection of the most suitable species for each ecosystem. This compatibility is represented by an index obtained by first analyzing both morphological and ecological characteristics of all species included in this catalogue, and then to identify those most suitable for the power line rights-of-way (ROW). These characteristics are: limited growth, poor combustion (low burning capacity or a tendency to retard the spreading of a fire), the covering of a large area to crowd out competition, soft stems for easy passage through the ROW and finally, a preference for light soil to prevent the invasion of existing pathways.

Keywords: Vegetation, forest management, right-of-way, ROW, powerlines, protection measures