254 Vandenbroucke et al.: Biological Vegetation Management However, for 3D surface representation, volume calcula- tion cannot be used directly to evaluate biomass decrease as a measure of treatment effective- ness, because it does not calculate stem volume but rather evaluates a conical surface from the top of a stem to the adjacent one. Another method is used to evaluate total volumetric biomass reduction following a biological treatment (Vandenbroucke et al. 2005). Figure 2*. Contour map (A, B) and 3D surface representation (C, D) in control and treated areas, respectively, for blocks B1 and B2. Height of the sprouts is given in inches. (65%, Table 1). On the contrary, the contour map of the control area (Figure 2A) showed that almost all the surface was higher than 1.78 m (5.9 ft), thus showing high density of the return pattern of ligneous sprouts. This approach can then be used to evaluate the return cycle needed for a site. If GPS coordinates were associated with raw data, a mainte- nance crew can be sent to appropriate areas in a ROW. As in the GIS technique, another advantage of the visual technique presented here is that we can compute a 3D surface representation of the contour map (Figures 2C and 2D). Surfaces have been computed based on three Simpson’s rule numerical calculations (extended, trapezoidal, and 3/8). This 3D representation gave a better view of the spatial distribution and the sparseness and the height of the resprouting obtained after the use of Myco-Tech, thus helping arborists in making a “virtual walk” within the area (one option of the software allows this kind of animation). This visual technique is an efficient tool to clearly and rapidly explain and interpret great amounts of raw and statistical data (skewness and kurtosis) about the effective- ness of a treatment. Moreover, evolution of the heights of resprouting can be visualized over a period of years using an overlaid contour map comparison on the same area. *Full-color versions of the figures in this article are available at www.isa-arbor.com/publications/vandenbroucke.aspx. ©2005 International Society of Arboriculture Ste-Agathe: 6 Years Later In Ste-Agathe, thorough surveys were stopped in 2001. Nonethe- less, each following year, we returned to the site to look at the condition of the area. In August 2004, we took pictures of control and treated areas. In the treated area (Figure 3) heights of sprouts were approximately 2.6 m (8.6 ft), and few seedlings (natural regeneration) were seen. Sprouts were still very sparse on the treated area, and density was still around 22,500 stems/ha (9,000 stems/ac). As seen in Figure 4, groundcover consisted mainly of different species of herbaceous plants, raspberries, and low groundcover (i.e., moss, Ledum greenlandicum). In the control area (Figure 4), mean height was between 5.5 and 6 m (18 and 20 ft), and density was over 132,500 stems/ha (53,000 stems/ac). The coverage of the area was homogeneous in height and density. The control area should have been cut last year according to Hydro-Québec’s clearance standard at that area. In the treated area, in view of the low density (sparseness of sprouting) and low average height, clearing was not required for at least 3 to 4 years. Thorough surveys are planned for the future, in years 8 and 10. CONCLUSION Myco-Tech treatment has proven to be a long-lasting, viable, and efficient alternative to increase the effectiveness of mechanical cutting in rights-of-way. This technology demonstrates direct and indirect advantages: It maintains a low-level vegetation pattern, thus promoting biodiversity and a stable temperature on the ground. It helps keep humidity near the ground and provides a more uniform shelter for wildlife. This treatment can be used in Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM) planning to control a broad spectrum of
September 2005
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