Title: Economic impact of ecosystem services provided by ecologically sustainable roadside right of way vegetation management practices
Abstract: The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) manages an estimated 186,121 acres of right-of-way (ROW) on the State Highway System (SHS); about half of that acreage is believed to be vegetated. Like other states, much of that vegetation is turfgrass, which traditionally is used to stabilise soil and provide a safe clear recovery zone for vehicles which leave the highway. Roadside vegetation managers are responsible for maintaining the turf in a relatively healthy condition in order to fulfill turf’s soil stabilisation and safety functions, and secondarily, aesthetic appeal. Meeting these objectives is costly. In 2011-12, the cost of vegetation management was at least $33.5 million, with over 25 percent of that being mowing costs. It’s not unexpected then, that roadside vegetation is historically viewed as a liability. While roadside ROW vegetation historically has been treated as a financial liability to fulfill main FDOT functions, information in this report provides evidence roadside ROW vegetation is an asset. The economic value of runoff prevention, carbon sequestration, pollination and other insect services, air quality, invasive species resistance, and aesthetics was estimated for Florida’s SHS roadside ROW ecosystem using the benefits transfer method. Regardless of whether these benefits are classified as ecosystem services or functions, the sum total value of these benefits was conservatively estimated at about a half billion dollars. Utilising sustainable vegetation management practices more than doubles the total value. And incorporating Wildflower Areas (WAs; remnant native plant communities as well as wildflower plantings) nearly triples the value of these benefits. Furthermore, the cost of vegetation management, at least $33.5 million, is more than offset by the value of carbon sequestration alone, a service that potentially could generate income for FDOT via the sale of carbon credits. And implementing sustainable management practices will reduce vegetation management costs nearly 30 percent. Findings in this report serve as an incentive for FDOT to gradually implement innovative, broad scale, and ecologically sustainable roadside ROW vegetation management practices and expand the number and acreage of WAs. [George L. (Les) Harrison (2014). Economic impact of ecosystem services provided by ecologically sustainable roadside right of way vegetation management practices. FDOT, USA] ${imageDescription} Comment
