The diversity of erosion control products and implications for wildlife entanglement

Abstract

In the United States, roads are prominent across the landscape, negatively impacting wildlife and ecological processes via road mortality (Brady and Richardson 2017). The extensive roadway system in the United States requires consistent maintenance that results in soil erosion potential. For example, as of August of 2019 in Texas, there were 6,739 active roadway projects, with another 6,448 projects listed to begin within the next four years (Texas Department of Transportation 2019). Despite regulatory and mitigation efforts, soil erosion and stream sedimentation are known to occur at construction sites due to exposure of the soil to environmental factors that influence erosion rates (Kaufman 2000; Benik et al. 2003). At the conclusion of construction projects, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) mandates that erosion control products (ECPs) are deployed on unpacked soil to prevent soil erosion potential and to promote plant growth (Babcock and McLaughlin 2013; Texas Department of Transportation 2018a).

Keywords

roads, erosion control product, entanglement, snakes

Citation

Ward, Krista J.; Kobe, Kasey L.; Schiwitz, Nicholas C.; Saenz, Daniel; Schalk, Christopher M. 2020. The diversity of erosion control products and implications for wildlife entanglement. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation. 75(4): 82A-87A.