Roadside rights of way (ROWs) have the potential to be sites of pollinating insect and beneficial insect conservation efforts as more natural habitats are lost and degraded. However, roadside ROWs can also be highly disturbed areas, due to on-road traffic and roadside management practices. Reduced mowing may result in more quality habitat through increased floral presence for habitat and foraging. Our objective is to examine if reduced roadside mowing along state highways is associated with changes in pollinating insect abundance and habitat quality for pollinators, across a range of landscapes and road characteristics.
As part of an ongoing study, we measured pollinating insect abundance and habitat quality, measured multiple ways, along 30 highways across New York State (NYS), USA in 2019, 2020 and 2021. Sites were selected using a multivariate cluster analysis to best represent the surrounding land use, geographic distribution, climactic factors, and road attributes (size, speed limit, traffic) across upstate New York. Each site was a stretch of 2 miles under existing management and mowing schedules, and within each site, we established and visited 3 sampling locations. At each sampling location, we visited at least twice per year (generally between May and October) each year. During each visit, we conducted multiple monitoring activities that directly measured pollinator presence and abundance, as well as pollinator habitat quality. We then assessed, using generalized linear mixed models, which road and landscape attributes were associated with more pollinating and beneficial insects and higher habitat quality scores. This information can inform decisions about which kinds of ROW habitats may be better for pollinator conservation efforts. This presentation includes only a portion of the data and pollinators collected in the project. Project information is preliminary and not yet approved by NYSDOT.
This report was funded in part through grant(s) from the Federal Highway Administration and United States Department of Transportation under the State Planning and Research Program, Section 505 of Title 23, U.S. Code provided by the New York State Department of Transportation. The contents of this report do not necessarily reflect the official views or policy of the United States Department of Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration, or the New York State Department of Transportation. This report does not constitute a standard, specification, regulation, product endorsement, or an endorsement of manufacturers. Thank you to all the NYSDOT staff who support the planning and safety of this project along NYS highways.