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NCHRP Web-Only Document 362: Pollinator Habitat Conservation Along Roadways Volume 15: Southern Plains Jennifer Hopwood Angela Laws Scott Black Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation Portland, OR Scott Fleury Milan Mitrovich Shannon Crossen ICF San Diego, CA Guide for NCHRP Project 25-59 Submitted December 2022 © 2023 by the National Academy of Sciences. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and the graphical logo are trademarks of the National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved. NATIONAL COOPERATIVE HIGHWAY RESEARCH PROGRAM Systematic, well-designed, and implementable research is the most effective way to solve many problems facing state departments of transportation (DOTs) administrators and engineers. Often, highway problems are of local or regional interest and can best be studied by state DOTs individually or in cooperation with their state universities and others. However, the accelerating growth of highway transportation results in increasingly complex problems of wide interest to highway authorities. These problems are best studied through a coordinated program of cooperative research. Recognizing this need, the leadership of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) in 1962 initiated an objective national highway research program using modern scientific techniquesâthe National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP). NCHRP is supported on a continuing basis by funds from participating member states of AASHTO and receives the full cooperation and support of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), United States Department of Transportation, under Agreement No. 693JJ31950003. COPYRIGHT INFORMATION Authors herein are responsible for the authenticity of their materials and for obtaining written permissions from publishers or persons who own the copyright to any previously published or copyrighted material used herein. Cooperative Research Programs (CRP) grants permission to reproduce material in this publication for classroom and not-for-profit purposes. Permission is given with the understanding that none of the material will be used to imply TRB, AASHTO, FAA, FHWA, FTA, GHSA, NHTSA, or TDC endorsement of a particular product, method, or practice. It is expected that those reproducing the material in this document for educational and not-for-profit uses will give appropriate acknowledgment of the source of any reprinted or reproduced material. For other uses of the material, request permission from CRP. DISCLAIMER The opinions and conclusions expressed or implied in this report are those of the researchers who performed the research. They are not necessarily those of the Transportation Research Board; the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; the FHWA; or the program sponsors. The Transportation Research Board does not develop, issue, or publish standards or specifications. The Transportation Research Board manages applied research projects which provide the scientific foundation that may be used by Transportation Research Board sponsors, industry associations, or other organizations as the basis for revised practices, procedures, or specifications. The Transportation Research Board, the National Academies, and the sponsors of the National Cooperative Highway Research Program do not endorse products or manufacturers. Trade or manufacturersâ names appear herein solely because they are considered essential to the object of the report. The information contained in this document was taken directly from the submission of the author(s). This material has not been edited by TRB. Cover photo: Southern Plains bumble bee (Bombus fraternus) Photo credit: Katie Lamke/The Xerces Society
e National Academy of Sciences was established in 1863 by an Act of Congress, signed by President Lincoln, as a private, non- governmental institution to advise the nation on issues related to science and technology. Members are elected by their peers for outstanding contributions to research. Dr. Marcia McNutt is president. e National Academy of Engineering was established in 1964 under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences to bring the practices of engineering to advising the nation. Members are elected by their peers for extraordinary contributions to engineering. Dr. John L. Anderson is president. e National Academy of Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine) was established in 1970 under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences to advise the nation on medical and health issues. Members are elected by their peers for distinguished contributions to medicine and health. Dr. Victor J. Dzau is president. e three Academies work together as the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation and conduct other activities to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions. e National Academies also encourage education and research, recognize outstanding contributions to knowledge, and increase public understanding in matters of science, engineering, and medicine. Learn more about the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine at www.nationalacademies.org. e Transportation Research Board is one of seven major programs of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. e mission of the Transportation Research Board is to provide leadership in transportation improvements and innovation through trusted, timely, impartial, and evidence-based information exchange, research, and advice regarding all modes of transportation. e Boardâs varied activities annually engage about 8,000 engineers, scientists, and other transportation researchers and practitioners from the public and private sectors and academia, all of whom contribute their expertise in the public interest. e program is supported by state transportation departments, federal agencies including the component administrations of the U.S. Department of Transportation, and other organizations and individuals interested in the development of transportation. Learn more about the Transportation Research Board at www.TRB.org.
C O O P E R A T I V E R E S E A R C H P R O G R A M S CRP STAFF FOR NCHRP WEB-ONLY DOCUMENT 362, Volume 15 Christopher J. Hedges, Director, Cooperative Research Programs Waseem Dekelbab, Deputy Director, Cooperative Research Programs, and Manager, National Cooperative Highway Research Program Trey Joseph Wadsworth, Senior Program Officer Mazen Alsharif, Senior Program Assistant Natalie Barnes, Director of Publications Heather DiAngelis, Associate Director of Publications Kathleen Mion, Assistant Editor NCHRP PROJECT 25-59 PANEL Field of Transportation PlanningâArea of Human and Natural Environment Christopher E. Smith, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Saint Paul, MN (Chair) Kris Gade, Arizona Department of Transportation, Tucson, AZ Ingeborg E. Hegemann, BSC Group, Inc., Stow, MA Joel T. Hunt, Ohio Department of Transportation, Columbus, OH Casey P. Lyon, Florida Department of Transportation, Deland, FL R. Duff McCully, District Department of Transportation, Washington, DC Keith A. Robinson, Gray Bowen Scott, Walnut Creek, CA Hua Xiang, Maryland Department of Transportation, Baltimore, MD Eric Justin Weaver, FHWA Liaison AUTHOR ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The research reported herein was conducted under NCHRP Project 25-59 by the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation and ICF. Jennifer Hopwood, Senior Conservation Entomologist at Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, was the Principal Investigator. Authors of this guide also include Angela Laws, Endangered Species Conservation Biologist, Xerces Society (Jennifer and Angela contributed equally to the writing of these guides); Scott Fleury, Principal, Biodiversity Conservation Planning, ICF; Scott Black, Executive Director, Xerces Society; Milan Mitrovich, Senior Conservation Biologist and Project Manager, ICF; and Shannon Crossen, Senior Biologist, ICF. Katie Lamke, Endangered Species Conservation Biologist; Michele Blackburn, Endangered Species Conservation Biologist; Candace Fallon, Endangered Species Conservation Biologist; Ray Moranz, Pollinator Ecologist, Xerces Society, contributed to the pollinator species profiles; and Sarah Nizzi contributed to the plant lists. Rebecca Payne, Senior Regulatory and Mitigation Specialist, ICF contributed to Chapter 5. Edits and formatting tasks were conducted by the following ICF publications staff: Elizabeth Irvin, Senior Manager, Editing; Saadia Byram, Senior Editor; Ken Cherry, Senior Editor; John Mathias, Senior Editor; and Jenelle Mountain-Castro, Senior Publications Specialist. Thank you also to Matthew Shepherd, Director of Outreach and Education, Xerces Society, for his careful review of these guides.
The authors would like to thank the following experts for reviewing the profiles of pollinator species: Chris Smith (Assiniboine skipper, Leonardâs skipper, Ottoe skipper, Uncas skipper, Garita skipperling), Emma Pelton (Western monarch), Erica Henry (Florida leafwing butterfly, Miami blue butterfly, Dukesâ skipper, Shaus swallowtail butterfly, St. Francisâ satyr butterfly, Bartramâs hairstreak, Palatka skipper), Erik Runquist (Arogos skipper, Dakota skipper, Poweshiek skipperling), Ernest Williams (Gillettâs checkerspot), Kevin Burls (western butterflies), John Henry Drake (regal fritillary, Karner blue butterfly, frosted elfin butterfly), John Shuey (Mitchellâs satyr butterfly, Persius duskywing), Michael Klein (Hermes copper, Laguna Mountains skipper, Quino checkerspot), Paul G. Johnson (Kern primrose sphixmoth), Ryan Hill (Callippe silverspot, Behrenâs silverspot, Oregon silverspot, Myrtleâs sliverspot), Robin Sarabia (Palatka skipper), Shawn Christopherson (blue calamintha bee), Sherri Lynch (Gulf Coast solitary bee), and Stuart Weiss (Bay checkerspot butterfly, San Bruno elfin butterfly). The authors also thank all the individuals who responded to our surveys and contributed their thoughts to help shape these guides. We wish to thank Lisa Kuder, Laura Jackson, Emilie Snell-Rood, Dennis Martin, Sam Droege, Elaine Evans, Diane Debinski, Kristen A. Baum, Erik Runquist, and four anonymous participants for taking part in our survey for pollinator and revegetation experts. We also wish to thank Susan Hargrove, Christa Schaefer, Nova Simpson, Jeff Peterson, Steven Gisler, Jerry Hatcher, E. LeRoy Brady, William Hutchinson, Stacey Moulds, Jon Heller, Amit Armstrong, Kris Gade, Rico Ramirez, Dan Salas, Rose Bishop, Laura Greninger, Renee Goentzel, Darin Martens, Kelly McAllister, Cathy Ford, Joel Hunt, Raymond G. Willard, Mercy Manzanares, Steven Magallanes, Maggi Elgeziry, Dawn Graydon, Kalee Koeslag, Joy Tite, Joe Ledvina, Jon Soper, Carol Wienhold, Joseph Sweger, Adam Boone, Kyle Heimerl, Chuck Wills, Alyssa Barrette, Matt Kraushar, Kelsey Buchmayer, Dennis Markwardt, Chris Maguire, Melissa Davidson, Bob Marshall, and 28 anonymous participants for taking part in our DOT expert survey. We thank those individuals that spoke with us to contribute case studies to the guides. We also wish to thank all participants in our Peer Exchange Workshop: Pollinator Habitat Conservation along Roadways. The guides were improved by the expertise and thoughtful participation of all the attendees. Thank you to the photographers who kindly allowed the use of their images. Rights are retained by the photographer.
Contents CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................ 1â1 1.1 Why Roadsides Are Important to Pollinators ...............................................................1-1 1.2 About This Guide ........................................................................................................1-3 CHAPTER 2 POLLINATOR BIOLOGY AND ROADSIDES ............................................ 2â1 2.1 Why Are Pollinators Important? ..................................................................................2-1 2.2 Status of Pollinators ...................................................................................................2-1 2.3 Meet the Pollinators ....................................................................................................2-6 2.4 Pollinators and Roadsides ......................................................................................... 2-11 CHAPTER 3 IMPERILED POLLINATOR PROFILES ..................................................... 3â1 3.1 Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) ........................................................................3-3 3.2 Bumble Bees: Southern Plains Bumble Bee (Bombus fraternus), American Bumble Bee (B. pensylvanicus), Variable Cuckoo Bumble Bee (B. variabilis) ............................................3-7 3.3 Frosted Elfin Butterfly (Callophrys irus) .................................................................... 3-12 3.4 Rattlesnake-Master Borer Moth (Papaipema eryngii) ................................................. 3-14 3.5 Regal Fritillary (Speyeria idalia) ................................................................................ 3-15 CHAPTER 4 NATIVE POLLINATORS AND THE FEDERAL ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT: COMPLIANCE STRATEGIES FOR STATE DEPARTMENTS OF TRANSPORTATION ..................................................................................... 4â1 4.1 Introduction ...............................................................................................................4-1 4.2 Introduction to the ESA ..............................................................................................4-3 4.3 ESA Compliance Options ............................................................................................4-4 4.4 Other Voluntary ESA Compliance Strategies ............................................................. 4-18 4.5 Which Compliance Strategy to Use? .......................................................................... 4-25 4.6 Programmatic Agreements and the Value of Participating in Multiple Strategies ....... 4-29 4.7 Summary .................................................................................................................. 4-32
Acronyms and Abbreviations 4.8 Additional Resources ................................................................................................ 4-32 CHAPTER 5 CONSIDERING IMPERILED POLLINATORS IN TRANSPORTATION PLANNING, DESIGN, AND CONSTRUCTION .......................................... 5â1 5.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 5-1 5.2 Transportation Planning and Project Development ..................................................... 5-1 5.3 Integrating Pollinator Conservation into Transportation Planning and Project Development ....................................................................................................................... 5-3 5.4 Case Study: A Wildlife Overpass for the Quino Checkerspot Butterfly ....................... 5-18 5.5 Case Study: Massachusetts GeoDOT ........................................................................ 5-19 5.6 Case Study: Evaluating the Effects of Construction on a Roadside Pollinator ............ 5-20 5.7 Additional Resources ................................................................................................ 5-21 CHAPTER 6 ROADSIDE MAINTENANCE AND VEGETATION MANAGEMENT FOR POLLINATORS ............................................................................................... 6â1 6.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 6-1 6.2 Consider Pollinator Life Histories When Timing Maintenance Practices ....................... 6-1 6.3 Adjusting Maintenance Practices to Benefit Imperiled Pollinators ............................... 6-5 6.4 Case Studies ............................................................................................................ 6-31 6.5 Additional Resources ................................................................................................ 6-33 CHAPTER 7 REVEGETATION AND POLLINATORS: DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION ...................................................................................... 7â1 7.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 7-1 7.2 Considering Imperiled Pollinators in Revegetation ...................................................... 7-2 7.3 Design Considerations for Revegetation Projects ......................................................... 7-6 7.4 Installation Considerations for Revegetation ............................................................. 7-23 7.5 Case Studies ............................................................................................................ 7-34 7.6 Resources ................................................................................................................. 7-35 CHAPTER 8 CREATING CLIMATEâSMART POLLINATOR HABITAT ALONG ROADSIDES .................................................................................................... 8â1 8.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 8-1
Acronyms and Abbreviations 8.2 Climate Change Projections ........................................................................................8-1 8.3 How Will Climate Change Affect Pollinators? ...............................................................8-3 8.4 What Species Are Most Vulnerable to Climate Change? ..............................................8-3 8.5 Increasing Climate Resiliency for Pollinators ...............................................................8-4 8.6 Additional Resources ..................................................................................................8-9 CHAPTER 9 SURVEYS, MONITORING STRATEGIES, AND HABITAT ASSESSMENTS ............................................................................................... 9â1 9.1 Introduction ...............................................................................................................9-1 9.2 Pollinator Surveys and Monitoring ..............................................................................9-1 9.3 Habitat Assessment and Vegetation Monitoring ........................................................ 9-12 9.4 Resources for Identification of Pollinators ................................................................. 9-17 9.5 Resources for Monitoring Plant Populations .............................................................. 9-17 CHAPTER 10 COSTâBENEFIT CONSIDERATIONS FOR POLLINATOR MANAGEMENT ON ROADSIDES ......................................... 10â1 10.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 10-1 10.2 Cost-Benefit Analysis for Sustainability .................................................................... 10-1 10.3 Types of Costs and Benefits ...................................................................................... 10-4 10.4 Incorporating Costs and Benefits into the Planning and Design Phases .................. 10-11 CHAPTER 11 COMMUNICATION SUPPORT ............................................. 11â1 11.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 11-1 11.2 Communicating with a General Audience ................................................................. 11-2 11.3 Communication Within Your DOT .......................................................................... 11-11 11.4 Communication Resources ..................................................................................... 11-23 11.5 Case Studies ........................................................................................................... 11-25 CHAPTER 12 CONCLUSION ............................................................................ 12â1
Acronyms and Abbreviations ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS GLOSSARY REFERENCES AND OTHER RESOURCES APPENDICES Appendix A Decision Support for Compliance with the Endangered Species Act: Listed Pollinators Appendix B Decision Support for Voluntary Actions and Regulatory Assurances: Imperiled Pollinators and the Endangered Species Act Appendix C Bee and Bee Group Recognition Appendix D Butterfly and Butterfly Group Recognition Appendix E Bumble Bee Recognition and Photography