Strongfield Blog

What is Vegetation Management

Written by Chad Hason | Jul 21, 2022 9:22:25 PM

 

The term ‘vegetation’ refers to the collection of plant species and plant varieties that act as ground cover and interact with several other organisms as part of a functioning ecosystem. 

Vegetation management takes on the responsibility of ensuring that wildlife, utilities, residential areas and vegetation all work well and thrive, together. 

Vegetation Management Explained

Vegetation management is defined by the systems put in place to control and eliminate unwanted vegetation or vegetation growth. This typically includes overgrown trees, weeds, invading branches, and bushes which can destroy power lines, encourage the excessive breeding and harborage of dangerous animals, and lead to damaged facilities, eye-sores and even loss of human life. 

In Canada, where we have endless expansions of land and natural resources, vegetation management is required in several forms across multiple industry verticals. 

Forms of Vegetation Management

Due to its multiple forms and interaction with different systems and situations, vegetation management is better understood when we break it down into some common areas:

Utility Vegetation Management 

Utility vegetation management defines the control of the growth of vegetation to prevent its unfavorable interaction with utility infrastructures. Such utility infrastructures include wires, pipes, cables, drains and sewers etc. 

A simple example is the power outage caused by the falling of overgrown trees. Another good example is vegetation (plant cover) blocking drains or sewer systems. All these will result in an adverse experience if not addressed proactively.

Forest Vegetation Management

In the scope of forestry, vegetation management involves treating, controlling, and removing unwanted species in a specific habitat. This includes reducing competition for growth resources amongst plants and can be designed to give each habitat a specific identity.

Forestry vegetation management also involves assessing and tracking the health of plants and their growth.

Industrial Vegetation Management 

This involves the conscious control and eradication of vegetation that can encroach into industrial infrastructures like rail tracks, roadways, pipelines, power stations, ports, etc.

Residential Vegetation Management

Vegetation around residential areas also tends to encroach and cause discomfort to residents. Hence residential vegetation management targets the control and eradication of intruding vegetation on residential grounds; like vegetation creeping over and through fences or buildings.

Vegetation Management and Relevant Industries

Vegetation management cuts across several industries, such as:

  • Utility Sector- comprising energy companies and utility companies meeting basic needs such as electricity, water, and gas.
  • Forest industry - Private and Government managed.
  • Transportation industry- comprising of road and rail transport as they ensure efficient road and rail networks 
  • Port industry - Ensuring safe passage and storage of sea vessels
  • Oil and gas industry- vegetation management is employed to keep pipelines, rigs and production wells free from vegetation invasion.
  • Real estate industry - Keeping commercial and residential properties safe and looking pristine.
  • Urban and regional planning sector - ensuring no public-owned land creates issues or eye-sores for the community. 

Schedule a meeting with us and you’ll see why we are the most reliable and successful land reclamation and vegetation management company in the industry. Contact us today!