ABSTRACT 7th International Symposium on Environmental Concerns in Rights-of-Way Management
TITLE:	Effects of Powerline Right-of-Way Vegetation Management on Avian Communities
AUTHOR(S):	James S. Marshall - marshall.298@osu.edu SUNY, College of Environmental Science and Forestry Ohio State University Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology Syracuse, NY, USA Larry W. Van Druff SUNY, College of Environmental Science and Forestry Syracuse, NY, USA Scott D. Shupe Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation Syracuse, NY, USA Edward Neuhauser R & A, Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation Syracuse, NY, USA
Shrub-dominated habitats and the birds that nest in them are declining in the Northeast. Rights-of-way can provide productive avian habitat with appropriate vegetation management. This study evaluated the avian productivity of two right-of-way vegetation management options. We measured avian density and nesting success on two adjacent power lines near Rome, NY. The mowed line had more nesting birds than the herbicide-treated line. The mowed line had more shrub cover, and birds had more territories and nests in areas with more shrub cover. Mowing may create better short-term habitat for birds, but selective herbicide treatments may create a more stable long-term shrub layer. Since neither treatment provided more productive habitat, whichever treatment produces more abundant stable habitat would be more beneficial for birds. Keywords: Right-of-way, birds, shrubs, selective herbicide Ref#: 6-7