Brambles and Byrnes Research

In 1953, a group of inquisitive researchers hiked out to one of Pennsylvania Electric Co.'s transmission lines, set up some instruments and began to measure the effects of vegetation management on wildlife.

Now, more than 50 years later, the research of these dedicated Purdue University scientists continues, with some of the industry's most useful information being gathered from the Game Lands 33 research site. The researchers’ names – Drs. William Bramble and William Byrnes – have become synonymous with the term "biodiversity."

While they have conducted numerous studies, their primary work includes:

  1. Game Lands 33 project – Pennsylvania
    Began in 1953 to measure the effect of vegetation management on wildlife habitat.
  2. Green Lane Research Project – Pennsylvania
    Established in 1986 to document short-term and long-term objectives of the "corridor effect."

Key findings of these studies include:

  • Grassy rights-of-way promote beneficial wildlife habitat.
  • Grasses, herbs and certain low-growing shrubs thwart woody brush invasion.
  • Different treatment techniques encourage distinct plants and plant combinations.
  • "Corridor effect" promotes a biodiverse rights-of-way.
  • Wire zone—border zone concept.
The wire zone—border zone philosophy of vegetation management promotes a transmission zone between forests and vegetation beneath powerlines. It consists of three areas: wire zone, border zone and forest.

Under transmission lines, companies often use selective herbicides to create an area filled with herbs, grasses and low-growing shrubs that extend 20 feet from each side of the wires. Beyond this area lies the border zone, or edge, where tall shrubs, grasses and herbs grow. Finally, forest areas with tall trees surround the border zones. This combination of low plant cover in the wire zone with shrubby border zones produces an excellent habitat for diverse species of wildlife.

To learn more about this comprehensive research:

Fill out our email form and check the appropriate box to receive the research and public relations CD, "Bramble, Byrnes and Biodiversity. A Half Century of Helping You Get the Word Out."

Download an issue of Right-of-Way Vistas® magazine (1.2MB PDF) dedicated to the research.

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