Evolving Highways Dataset

RIDOT began a reduced roadside mowing maintenance regimen to conserve funds and decrease CO2 emissions about a decade ago. To better understand the effects of altering roadside mowing regimes, we developed an experimental design to capture the effects of this reduced mowing on roadsides in different zones and in sites throughout the state. The specific aim was to monitor invasive plant colonization in areas where mowing has been reduced or eliminated because it is often assumed that reducing mowing will lead to an increase in invasive plant colonization. Data was gathered using Modified-Whittaker vegetation surverys.约十年前，罗德岛州交通部（RIDOT）启动了缩减型路边割草养护规程，以节约经费并减少二氧化碳排放。为深入探究路边割草制度调整所产生的影响，我们设计了一套实验方案，用以监测该缩减割草措施在全州不同区域及各类路段的路边环境中所产生的效应。本研究的具体目标为，在割草频次被缩减或完全取消的区域，监测入侵植物的定植情况——由于学界普遍认为，减少割草作业会导致入侵植物定植量上升。研究数据采用改良-惠特克（Modified-Whittaker）植被调查法采集。