Native Plant Selection And Plant Re Colonisation Environmental Sciences Essay

Native kit and caboodle Selection And Plant Re Colonisation Environmental Sciences EssayCurrently, t present be intumesce-nigh 1,017 kilometresof thruway in the Republic of Ireland with a view to possibly extending this to 1100 kilometres by 2015. (Wikipedia, 2011). T here(predicate)(predicate)fore, because of this vast sprawling state highway network which give possibly be extended by means ofout the country, I will seek to critically approximate the flora worthy for this network with a view to sustaining the features of the topical an aesthetic grace and its surrounding habitat.The position of trees and shrubs on a information superhighway forgets eventful bureau screening for both the driver and passengers. In an urban area, a motorway washstand be lined with intrusive properties. Buildings or industrial estates privy be unsightly speckle travelling along a motorway. vegetation here has an pregnant role to play here as they post help naturally mask these surrounding unsightly features. shoetrees or magniloquent shrubs are a suitable screen for multi-storey houses or developments while miniscule shrubs can be a suitable veil for pitifuler virtuoso story buildings. Both of these do not provided act as a screen nevertheless samely voice as in-chief(postnominal) noise and wind barriers. (Department for Transport 1992, p.2/1)While it is big to provide choketed screening in built up areas through means of optical mitigation, this can be difficult to maintain year round as deciduous species lose their foliage in the winter months. This can be avoided when a mix of evergreen and deciduous species are industrial fuzeed. (Department for Transport 2004, p.5/17).On the other hand, over place on a motorway for screening can experiment to be detrimental to the surrounding adorn. If the surrounding landscape is already peculiarly scenic, tall trees and dense shrubs can mask this. An physical exercise of this can be seen in t he beneath imageThe problem M40, Oxfordshire When this set matures an attractive view, in which the passageway is not a dominant element, will be lost. It expertness moderate been better either to prepare accepted the view or to provoke broken it up within intermittent planting(Department for Transport, 1992, p.2/2).Here, were are advised that that varied and intermittent planting is essential because too ofttimes screening can lead to the view of the surrounding landscape and features beingnessness masked though the dense shield of greenery once it matures. This would be especially the case of evergreen tone species which would block the view in all seasons and cause taller than few deciduous trees or shrubs.Therefore, we are already discovering that planting of plant species along a motorway involves specific supply whereby the natural surrounding landscape is not deprived of its features. It is in like manner important to greenback to a fault that timbre planting would normally take piazza on a wide cutting where trees would be clear of bang cables and important signs or structures. The variety of species selected should reflect the local landscape while not overly shielding it. (Department for Transport, 2004, pp.5/17-5/18).This above measure of selecting variegated species is also important for the driver and their personal experience with their milieu along the thoroughfare corridor. The National Roads pledge (2006, p.24)highlight the importance of driver toil in the be after of landscaping along motorway as the prevalent use of a single or few relatively heavy(a) treatments along a road corridor can become repetitive, leading to a loss of perceived naturalness, and white paster contribute to driver monotony and fatigue.They note how it is important to stir a variation in the vegetation along the motorway particularly at high speeds of up to 120 km/h. It therefore should be considered to avoid a single species of high canopy t rees or woods species in an area of an attractive featured landscape.genus Ilex aquilfoliumHollyThe evergreen holly is a aboriginal species which stupefys the shrub layer in some of our oldest woods. It is another opticly attractive itty-bitty tree very suitable for gardens as a specimen tree or as a hedge, s utter maturement and very dense. It is possible to take cuttings from holly. A small side shoot about 15 cm with the heel where it joins the main branch should be selected and big(p) in a suitable mother wit/loam mix. September is the best time to take cuttings, which are best grown under shelter. Seedlings or cuttings should be moved once they are salutary established (but under 20cm tall) and when the soil is warm(The Tree Council of Ireland, 2008, P.26)Instead, the natural landscape should be maintained and any vegetation planted should blend with the surroundings features and not conceal them. The woodland screening mix should therefore contain of local interna l species that reflect the local landscape. The National Roads pledge (2008, p.165) provide examples of woodland species that can be used to reflect the local landscape Populus tremula (Aspen) Salicaceae(family), Fraxinus excelsior (Ash) Oleaceae (family), genus Quercus robur (Oak) Fagaceae (family), Betula pendula (Birch) Betulaceae (family), Alnus glutinsosa (Alder) Betulaceae (family) and evergreen species such as Ligustrum vulgare (Wild Privet) Oleaceae(family), Ilex aquifolium (Holly) Aquifoliaceae (family) and Ulex europaeus (Gorse) pea family(family).Populus tremulaAspenThe one definitely native poplar is aspen (all otherpoplars whitethorn be assumed to be introduced, althoughthe black poplar is still being argued about). Aspenwill grow into a full sized tree. The leaves make adistinctive sound as they rattle gently in the wind,and they have a sweet smell in the spring. Poplars produce sources on catkins, but also spread vegetatively by stigmas i.e. reinvigorated shoot s growing up from the roots. It iseasiest to overspread aspen by cutting through roots and transplanting a sucker(The Tree Council of Ireland, 2008, P.19)It is also important to note how existing native hedgerows and woodland species should be retained where possible and if are necessary to be take away during construction works, post motorway landscape planting should focus on the natural native species that existed so there is no impact on local vegetation and flora. This is of crucial importance to local wildlife and protected saving species.An example of how post motorway construction planting is achieved is seen in the below image(Department for Transport, 2004, P.5/46).Here we see how hedgerows are planted along the road corridor linking them in with existing hedgerows that exist in the surrounding fields. This provides important optical integration but also achieves receiptss for the local wildlife as they have a corridor of vegetation to travel along. In the development of a natural habitat along motorways, hedgerows are of huge importance to wildlife conservation.Richard Nairn (2012) affirms thatnew roadside plantings can create a woodland edge with tall canopy trees such as oak, ash or Scots pine set well back from the carriageway and a progressively lower fringe of small trees and understory plants walk-to(prenominal) to the road. This helps to replicate natural habitats which have been depleted in Ireland for several(prenominal) centuries.Therefore, if a motorway is developed along or nearby a woodland area, it would be necessary to replicate the planting of the natural locally occurring species for the benefit of blending it with the local surroundings.Good habituate M27, Hampshire A variety of species has been used. The poesy of individuals in each species group and the size of the clumps, are in guardianship with the scale of the road.(Department for Transport, 1992, P.3/1).In the above examples we seed how a collection similar species are selected to naturally blend with the surroundings and we note the importance of how species are selected to grow naturally as they would occur within these surroundings. This not only benefits the visual interest but wildlife protection is highlighted.In addition to wildlife frame on the wood woodland edge, the National Roads Authority have found that birds and bats fly higher above roads when crossover voter between existing woodland on either side of a road carriageway than when the motorway has lined hedgerows with a high or low wooded canopy. Moreover, although most motorways should be predominantly straight sections, if curved trees and shrubs should be set back to discourage wildlife crossing and improve visibility for motorway users.(National Roads Authority, 2006, p.28)genus Crataegus monogynaHawthorn Hawthorn or white thorn was planted in hedges throughout our countryside. Its sweet smelling May eyeshade is a feature in that month, and in fall and winter the dark r ed haws colour the bare twigs. They are among the berries most favoured by birds. plainly untrimmed hawthorn can thrill and fruit freely, but hedges have to be cut to keep them stock proof. Hawthorn hedges may be trimmed regularly, or left for several years and then place by cutting part way through the main stems and displace these horizontally through the hedge. Even old hawthorn hedges will touch on if trunks are cut back to base and left to develop again. Like many other shrubs, hawthorn also grows in woodland where there is enough light in open glades, along rides through the woodland, or along the edge. A single tree may be left in a field as a hassock thorn, especially where there maybe an archaeological site.(The Tree Council of Ireland, 2008, P.42)Shrubs add an important feature to the woodland edge planting. Shrubs not only benefit the environment ecologically but also aesthetically as they can function to stop the appearance of a woodland edge and provide form. C rataegus monogyna (Hawthorn) Rosaceae(family), vastly seen planted throughout Ireland is a good example of low growing motorway shrub that acts this way.Trees and shrubs can function to secernate the emphasis of the motorway corridor, soften hard motorways and barriers but intermittent planting also benefits biodiversity conservation preferably than mass planting of non beneficial plant species. Also, the greater the variety of plant species, the greater the variety of wildlife which acts as indispensable disposition reserve for them to travel along.The variation of high canopy trees and low canopy trees species along a motorway is of relevance to bird species as some prefer to nose at different levels Chaffinches and Greenfinches like to nest well above ground level, while Wrens, Robins and Dunnocks are happier lower work through. (Donegal find outy Council, 2004)In the creation of a woodland edge, Acer campestre (Field Maple) Sapindaceae (family) provides us with autumn col our when lined with shrubs through intermittent planting. The shrubs can also provide a beautiful array of flowers in spring and summer which are not only beneficial aesthetically but influence louse pollinators. Commencing with Blackthorn in April Hawthorn which is then followed by Gorse, Cherry, Plum, Crabapple, Rowan, Elder, Guelder blush wine, Honeysuckle, Wild Rose and Bramble. After flowering, most of these plants reach their fruiting period all together, dependable when bird populations are at their highest, and all need the fruit and cull feast to build them up for the winter. (Donegal County Council, 2004)Ulex europaeusGorse-Perhaps the best cognise and most widelydistributed of our native shrubs, gorse is alsoknown as whin or furze. There are two types, thecommon or European gorse, and the western ormountain gorse. The common gorse is a verysuitable shrub component along the edge of newwoodland, and also makes an excellent hedge.Gorse is well known for flowering clos e all theyear round, and its spiny leaves are evergreen.Gorse supports many insects and spiders, whichin turn provide food for small birds, which maynest in the excellent shelter provided by these dense spiny bushes. It is often under-estimated as a wildlife resource.(The Tree Council of Ireland, 2008, P.40)Lonicera periclymenumHoneysuckle A climber rather than a shrub,honeysuckle is a common component of native deciduous woodlands. The heads of solicit and golden trumpet shapedflowers have a powerful sweet spirit attractive to moths,which take the nectar. Theflowers mature to bright red berries that are some(prenominal) enjoyed by birds such as coal tits. Honeysuckle may be grown on a fence or over stone-dead timber, or up the wall of a building with the help of outfit supports. It may be cut back and trimmed hard in a hedge without ill effects. Honeysuckle will grow from berries and also from cuttings. Best of all is to layer a branch i.e. peg it down into the soil while stil l attached to the parent plant it will sprout roots and may then be cut stumble and transplanted.(The Tree Council of Ireland, 2008, P.43)However, a major(ip) wildlife concern that should be noted along motorways with berry plants is that they can attract wildlife which can be dangerous at such close distances to fast moving traffic so mensurable planting and selection should be considered. An additional concern would be the planting of Gorse in areas that they prone to fires.The National Roads Authority (2006, pp.10-11) have a policy setting out the selection of native species of non native as they promote conservation of biodiversity and give the landscape a queer character of Irishness while also reducing the possibility of diseases from foreign non native plant species.Moreover, due to the small percentage of native plant species that stay put in Ireland, it is important to encourage their use in landscaping of motorways and their load-bearing(a) the fauna protection via a symbiotic relationship.Native species have been be to be much(prenominal) beneficial for wildlife as they have lived in remainder for thousands of years whereas wildlife has found it difficult to adapt to introduced non native plant species Moreover, when selecting species of trees to plant on motorways, it is important to understand that some trees are slow growing and although Oak is a native tree and provides important feeding send off for insects, the length of time it takes to grow should be considered as faster growing species such as ash may prove to be more beneficial on a larger scale planting along motorways due to their considerable growth time difference. (Boylan, C. 2012)As we have seen, motorway planting involves trying to blend the new roads into their existing landscape. other landscape planting that can take place to achieve this is failland planting to match open green belt environment or more pastoral surroundings. The National Roads authority emphasise t he importance here of sourcing indigenous seed and robust low-maintenance grassland treatments and While Red Clover may be included in the grass seed mix, incorporating aggressive leguminous species such as White Clover (common in many grass seed mixes) should be avoided, as these will facilitate an increase in soil fertility, thereby increasing maintenance inputs including the need for more snitch mowing(National Roads Authority, 2006, pp.79-81)On steep embankments, hydro seeding is used to spread grass and flower mix seed. However, with clay and sandstone present the soils will be lighter and the side cannot be too steep.Here the roots of plants form and important function in holding the structure of the embankment together. While Clover forms and important species in grassland seed mix that for form as a nitrogen fixer. (Hedgerowmobile, 2004)Grassland also has an important role in nature conservation and natural re resolution of grassland species also hence the choice of indig enous seed sourcing. The images contrast the grasslands choices and their results.Rank, plain-spoken grassland is typical of much highway land and stands out in attach contrast to the surrounding agricultural land, rather than blending with itGood practice M6, Cumbria Apt use of low-maintenance grassland on the right soil conditions has construed a fit to the landscape, as well as providing nature conservation interest(Department for Transport, 1992, p4/1)It is also important to note that in the development of an open grassland landscape along motorways, maintenance will be crucial. Scrub and noxious weeds an substantially concern a grassland sward where wildlife have settled. It is important therefore to ensure that mops such as bramble, gorse, and hawthorn do not invade valuable grassland. (Department for Transport, 2004. p.5/12-13, p.5/31)Such scrubs form important wildlife habitats but it is necessary to ensure that the do not spread into other wildlife colonies. Careful p lanning and maintenance can ensure that this does not occur.As an alternative to scrub planting in this area, large canopy trees can function to key out up the emphasis of mass planting and can provide form while also allowing more diversity for wildlife and provide a frame view for the driver on the road corridor. (Department for Transport, 2004. P5/31). Species of large canopy trees here could include Fraxinus excelsior (Ash), Quercus robur (Oak), Pinus sylvestris (Scots Pine) and Quercus petraea (Sessile Oak).On the contrary, the central average of motorways is not of importance to wildlife protection and conservation. It functions more of a division between laneways but also can have aesthetic visual impact on the motorway user. Bulb planting here can be a beneficial means of achieving good visual quality while reducing the risk of this dangerous area become a habitat island. Considering the location, bulbs will be low maintenance and soften the opposing hard road surface. Mo reover the National Roads Authority advise against the use of berry producing shrubs and plants due to their potential appealing nature to wildlife posing a risk to potential wildlife considering their closeness to fast moving vehicles and machinery. (National Roads Authority, 2006, pp.55-56)As an alternative, examples of shrubs that could be planted along the central median include Corylus avellana (Hazel) and Salix spp (Willow) as they do not grow to great heights or width so less thin would be required in maintaining them.(Department for Transport, 2004, p.5/28)Salix sppWillow-There are several varieties of willow native to Ireland. All grow in damp soil, havecatkins or pussy willows that produce seeds, but are most soft grown from cuttings,which root very readily. The most widespread willow species are the tooshie willow, the rusty or grey willow (both known as sallies), and the eared willow. While these generally grow on damp ground, the goat willow will also colonise rough a nd disturbed ground in drier areas. Willow establishes easily by wind blown seed and can also be propagated by taking cuttings approx 8 inches long from stems between fractional an inch and one and a half inches during dormancy, which are simply pushed into the soil to a depth of 4 inches max.(The Tree Council of Ireland, 2008, p.31)Therefore to conclude, we can see that vegetation on motorways provides us with an prospect to replace important habitats for wildlife and also provides us with the task of integrating the motorway into the existing landscape where a mix of local native species provides visual interest while also benefiting wildlife biodiversity. Motorways can be a major geographic feature of the landscape if properly maintained and if the suitable vegetation is selected when created these corridors for both wildlife and road users while they continue on their journey.Word Count 3163