Power Line Corridors Could be Potential Habitats for Wildlife
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Photo Credit: ROW Stewardship Council
Power transmission lines are often blamed for fragmenting forests, causing collisions and electrocutions for birds and also anxiety due to health concerns about the effect of electromagnetic fields. Wildlife biologists are now starting to reverse the negative image of these linear lines by proposing these areas as potentially valuable corridors for globally endangered species, including many birds and pollinators. As a common practice, large and tall trees are removed in traditional management and most corridors are constantly mowed and sprayed with herbicides to remove unwanted plants. Currently, the Right of Way Stewardship Council are encouraging power companies to manage their corridors through Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM), which promotes the formation of a scrubby habitat of wildflowers, sedges, ferns, and low shrubs that support native wildlife. The New York Power Authority, Arizona Public Service, and Vermont Electric Power Company have obtained their certification for practicing IVM in their power line corridor with several others in the process. Power tility companies in Brazil and Australia are considering similar measures. Perhaps the Malaysian government may be inspired to do the same here.
Link:http://e360.yale.edu/feature/electric_power_rights_of_way_a_new_frontier_for_conservation/2816/
Date & Source: October 16, 2014, Yale Environment 360
