Chapter 4 - Integrated Vegetation Management Flashcards
system of managing plant communities based in integrated pest management (IPM), in which managers identify compatible and incompatible vegetation, consider action thresholds, evaluate control methods, and select and implement controls to achieve specific objectives. The choice of control methods is based on the anticipated effectiveness, environmental impact, site characteristics, safety, security, economics, and other factors.
Integrated vegetation management (IVM)
the use of all available pest control methods to keep pest populations below acceptable levels. Methods include cultural, biological, chemical, physical, and genetic
Integrated pest management (IPM)
maximum incompatible plant pressures (species, density, height, location, or condition) allowable before unacceptable consequences develop
Tolerance levels
vegetation that is desirable or consistent with the intended use of the site. For example, plant species that will never grow sufficiently close to violate minimum clearance distances with electric conductors.
Compatible vegetation
plant species that are inconsistent with the use of a site (e.g., tree species sufficiently tall that they will grow into overhead conductors during their life span).
Incompatible plant species
Six steps in IVM
- Set objectives
- Evaluate the site
- Define action thresholds
- Evaluate and select control methods
- Implement control methods
- Monitor treatment and quality assurance
the initial phase of the integrated vegetation management model
Set objectives
transmission right-of-way vegetation management philosophy applied through cover-type conversion. The wire zone is the section of a utility transmission right-of-way under the wires and extending out both sides to a specified distance. The border zone is the remainder of the right-of-way, where small trees and tall shrubs (under 25 feet [8 m] in height at maturity) are established
Wire-border zone
section of a transmission or pipeline right-of-way that extends from the wire or pipe zone to the right-of-way edge. Is managed to promote a low-growing plant community of forbs, tall shrubs, and low-growing trees below a specified height (e.g., 25 feet [8 m]).
Border zone
in vegetation management, the area outside the right-of-way, where tall-growing species may be allowed, although they need to be monitored for risk.
Peripheral zone
area of a utility pipeline right-of-way over the pipe and extending out both sides to a specified distance
Pipe zone
technique that uses aerial photographs followed by ground checks to determine the nature of plant communities on a site.
Cover-type mapping
at a program or project level, an accounting of all vegetation that could potentially affect management objectives, supplying a complete set of data upon which to base management decisions.
Comprehensive evaluation
acronym for light detection and ranging, technology that uses laser pulses to evaluate field conditions and workloads on rights-of-way, with results depicted in a computer image.
LiDAR
survey of the volume of work. May be done by comprehensive inventories or sampling.
Workload assessment
a systematic process used to identify, analyze, and evaluate tree risk.
Tree risk assessment
method of sampling a geographical area by selecting points in it, especially by choosing points at random on a map or aerial photograph
Point sampling
a point at which the level of incompatible plant species, density, height, location, or condition threatens the stated management objectives and requires implementation of a control method(s)
Action threshold
calculated minimum distance between conductors and vegetation to prevent spark-over, for various altitudes and operating voltages, that is used in the design of transmission facilities.
Minimum vegetation clearance distance (MVCD)
vegetation removal using heavy equipment fitted with power saws or other cutting devices, such as saws mounted on booms or suspended from a helicopter.
Mechanical control method
Mechanical pruning
chemical that slows terminal growth by reducing cell elongation.
Tree growth regulator (TGR)
individual stem treatment in which herbicides are applied to the stump surface around the cambium and topside of the bark.
Stump application
method of herbicide treatment involving herbicide application into cuts in the trunk.
Hack and squirt (frill treatment)
herbicide application made at the bottom 12 inches (30 cm) of the stem and root collar with an herbicide in an oil carrier.
Basal application
ability of some plants, including certain grasses, to release chemicals that suppress other plant species growing around them.
Allelopathy
type of biological control in which a plant community is converted from incompatible to compatible species using selective techniques that provide a competitive advantage to short-growing, early successional plants, allowing them to thrive and successfully compete against unwanted tree species for sunlight, essential nutrients, and water
Cover-type conversion
control method that modifies habitat to discourage incompatible vegetation and establish and manage compatible plant communities.
Cultural control method
document accompanying an herbicide package in a standard format including an ingredient statement, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registration and establishment numbers (in U.S.), compatibility with other chemicals, recommendations to prevent overdose, hazards to wildlife, first aid statements, storage and disposal, as well as protective clothing and equipment advisories. Describes the approved uses for the pesticide and directions for its safe application. In the U.S., the law forbids uses inconsistent with this document.
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