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COURSE TITLE: Roadside Right-of-Way Wetlands Resulting from Road Construction and Mowing

INSTRUCTORS Edward D. Entsminger

COURSE DESCRIPTION Edward D. Entsminger
Date: June 18, 2020
Title: Roadside Right-of-Way Wetlands Resulting from Road Construction and Mowing

Abstract:
Roadside rights-of-way (ROW) undergo regular disturbances such as mowing, maintenance, and road developments that affect soils, groundwater, surface hydrology, and vegetation composition. Strips of roadside ROW ditches are morphing into wetlands because of road developments such as reduced mowing practices, bridges and culverts being put in/modified, etc. The construction of roads inadvertently creates functional wetlands that might be governed by wetland regulations. The study was conducted using 10 research plots situated along Highway 25 in Mississippi, USA. The research plots consisted of three different mowing treatments and different site elevations (uplands vs. riparian lowland/wetland areas). The riparian lowland areas were influenced by overbank inundations by streams and ROW drainage ditches. Using line transect sampling methodology, over 277 native and nonnative plant species (almost 1/3 were wetland indicator species), of forbs, legumes, grasses, rushes, sedges, vines, shrubs, and trees were found on the roadside ROW in northeastern Mississippi. Total percent coverage of native and nonnative plants within different growth form categories did not statistically differ among treatments (F2,96 = 0.45, P = 0.83). However, percent coverage differed between uplands and riparian lowlands (F1,96 = 18.22, P < 0.001), between years (F1,96 = 14.54, P < 0.001), and between fall and spring seasons (F1,96 16.25, P < 0.001). Percent coverage and species richness from the growth form categories was found in the riparian lowland sites in the greatest quantity. These road ditches may not always contain water, but many still represent wetland ecosystems and serve as “significant jurisdictional connectivity” to navigable waters. Numerous wetland wildlife species have been observed using and successfully raising offspring in these “roadside wetlands” due to anthropomorphic disturbances.

Bio:
Edward Entsminger earned three Associate of Applied Science degrees in Fish and Wildlife Management, Fish Management and Aquaculture, and Parks and Recreation and Wildlife Management from Hocking College in 2007 and 2009. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife and Fish Conservation and Management from the University of Rio Grande in 2009 and a Master of Science in Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Sciences from Mississippi State University in 2014. His master thesis was on “Plant Community Response to Reduced Mowing Regimens and Occurrence of White-tailed Deer and Other Wildlife Observations along Highway Right-of-Ways in Northeastern Mississippi.” Since graduation, he was hired on as a full-time Research Associate I in the Department of Sustainable Bioproducts and Forest and Wildlife Research Center at MSU. In 2015, he obtained three professional certifications as an Associate Wildlife Biologist, Associate Fisheries Professional, and a Wetland Professional In Training. He is a wildlife and fisheries biologist and general ecologist, and his research has focused on prairies, reclamation sites, forested environments, wetlands, mowing on roadside rights-of-way, and habitat structure. He has over 12 years of education experience and over 15 years of job experience in the natural resources’ profession. Has been with MSU for over 10 years and was recently promoted to Research Associate II in August 2018. Currently he is working towards a Ph.D. degree in Forest Resources at Mississippi State University. He has authored or co-authored more than 10 professional peer-reviewed research articles, a thesis, one book chapter, several technical manuals, more than 35 popular articles, and currently has more than three journal articles in the peer-review process.

Credit Points: 0.06

SYLLABUS/TOPICAL OUTLINE 1. (10 min) Introduction to Mississippi roadside rights-of-ways (ROWs) 2. (10 min) Disturbances that affect these ROWs; 3. (15 min) Research to compare the effects of disturbance and elevation on various plant communities in these ROWs; 4. (10 min) Wrap-up, regulatory jurisdiction and wildlife value of ROWs; 5. (15 min) Questions.

COURSE CONTACT

Louis Mantini
9225 CR49, Live Oak, FL 32025
lfm@srwmd.org
P: 386.697.4891
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