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There are likely to be beautiful tree-lined roads that lead to your favorite rural or regional towns. They may have an arch-like, church-like canopy or narrow ribbons of remaining vegetation.
But have you noticed they’ve changed over the past decade? Some have disappeared, others have thinned, and some are now in decline. This is because, in general, Roads are not safe.For plants and their ecologies.
There are obvious dangers associated with collisions with cars. There are also subtle dangers associated with road construction and maintenance, which increase the likelihood of animal and plant deaths. For example, altering the chemical and physical environment can lead to weeds and segregation of wildlife.
This network of corridors and vegetation reserves along Australian roads needs to be better valued and protected. They are the glue that binds together the landscapes and ecosystems of Australia and will disappear as roads toll increases. It will make us all poorer.
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Ecosystems found along the roadside
Roadside vegetation can often be an important corridor connecting wildlife to their habitats. They can even be the last remaining refuges of endangered or rare plant species. Indeed, some of the grass and smaller flowering species of Australia’s Once vast grassy plainsOnly stay at roadside refuges in Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia.
These corridors are important habitats for small birds, mammals, insects, and reptiles. These corridors not only allow for easy access to food and water, but also allow for breeding with a larger animal population.
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Destroying vegetation along fences and roads could worsen our extinction crisis — yet the NSW government just allowed it
Take, for example., nine different mammal species Have been recorded along the roadside of Victoria’s Strathbogie Ranges, including koalas, brushtail possums, gliders and phascogales.
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Roads can also increase water runoff, and carry nutrients. Allow for diversityVerges (nature strips), allow many species of plants to thrive. Plants that aren’t able to survive elsewhere can get a foothold on the bitumen’s edge using the valuable extra resources it provides.
Road authorities in Australia often acknowledge the importance these habitat corridors are when roads are being upgraded or widened. But when it comes to the crunch, it’s the engineering and bottom line demands that generally Win out – and plants invariably suffer.
This also has an impact on cultural heritage. This was evident in 2020, when a Djab Wurrung was installed. Directions treeDespite valiant protests, the site was bulldozed in Victoria to make way for a new highway.
Likewise, People ralliedProtecting a banyan tree in Hong Kong from being removed by railway workers is a Hong Kong policy. The 300-year-old tree was also saved from being removed by the railways. Bulleen river-red gum, Which won the National Trust’s Victorian 2019 Tree of the YearIt awaits its fate in a major freeway construction.
Continue reading:
This centuries-old river red gum is a local legend – here’s why it’s worth fighting for
AAP Image/Supplied to The National Trust of Australia
Road dangers
Trees are to be trimmed according to codes of good practice, such: The Australian Standard for Pruning TreesThe Australian Standard Protecting Trees at Development Sites.
But based on my experiences over many years, when contractors breach one of these protections, there’s rarely enforcement or penalty.
Powerline clearing in Australia can also lead to breaches. Old roadside treesTrees can be destroyed if they lose a lot of their canopy. Trees may not survive such severe damage and it may take years to recover.
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After bushfires, clearing roadside vegetation can be a huge undertaking. While dead and burned trees are dangerous and must be removed or trimmed, clearing can go beyond safety requirements.
Local communities have been left to Be sad about the loss of their green and leafy road reserves from fires, as well as losses to the trees themselves from unnecessary clearing – it’s a double blow.
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Herbicide is another cause of death that is often overlooked for roadside trees and vegetation. Roadside verges are routinely applied to reduce weeds growing onto roads and tarmac.
Herbicide sprays may drift and kill other vegetation. Such as cropsadjacent farms, and even ancient remnants trees nearby. These events have happened in Australia, but they are not often reported. Farmers are also not aware of them. Rarely is it successfulYou can get compensation for your losses.
VandalismAnother major problem is the poisoning, lopping or cutting down of street trees in order to preserve coastal views.
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This is not just a problem in Australia. In 2012, thousands died from the effects of this. illegally poisoned, or cut downBillboard advertisers in the United States. Similar tree removals were also done for advertising purposes India.
Love your trees
More of us should take stock of roadside trees: they are links to Australia’s past, refuges of once more widespread natural communities, and remain an important part of cultural heritage.
They are crucial because they link us to a future with climate change. We can’t possibly fight global warming Urban trees are not necessary. If we don’t value them, it is likely that we will be lamenting the growing list of endangered species and potential extinctions.
Continue reading:
Here are 5 ways trees can help you survive climate change
