Integrating Greenstripping into Right-of-Way Vegetation Management

John C. Hogenbirk

Greenstripping is the use of less-flammable plants to reduce fire hazard. Greenstripping has been used in the Intermountain region of the United States to reduce fire frequency and preserve plant diversity and shrub cover. Personnel in the Department of Biology at Laurentian University have investigated the feasibility of using greenstripping to reduce spring fires along railway right-of-ways in Ontario. Greenstripping has the potential to be less costly than current methods of fire prevention and control as well as the potential to be more effective, longer lasting and less damaging to the environment. Results could be applicable across North America and could help solve other vegetation management problems along right-of-ways. For example, greenstripping plants must persist for 10 years or more, and keep out highly flammable plants. Thus, it may be possible to use greenstripping to reduce tree invasion on right-of-ways. This could reduce herbicide use, brushing, and associated expenses. More than 250 species were evaluated for their ability to reduce fire hazard or tree invasion. Four forbs and over 25 shrubs are recommended for testing. A second group of approximately 30 species (forbs, grasses, ferns and shrubs) is recommended with some reservations. Planned experiments will investigate the efficacy of selected forbs and low-growing shrubs to reduce fire hazard and tree invasion along right-of-ways. Costs will be measured to permit comparison with other vegetation management methods.

Keywords: Integrated vegetation management, fire hazard, tree invasion, greenstripping, boreal, mixedwoods, Ontario