|
Phragmites australis
Phragmites australis has become well-established in the Green Bay area and is spreading quickly. Low water levels in Green Bay and Lake Michigan have helped it spread, since it is very effective at moving into areas of newly-exposed shoreline. It also moves quickly through roadside ditches, where mowing practices can help spread the seeds. It is a problem for private landowners who would like to maintain their access to – and views of – the water. Large stands of dry Phragmites stems can also be a fire hazard.
Phragmites populations can be treated either chemically (herbicides) or mechanically (hand-cutting or mowing), however such treatments may require a permit from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Even with treatment, populations are very hard to control. Researchers and land managers continue to explore new treatment techniques, and combinations of treatment techniques, to find the most effective ways to keep this plant in check. Once a population is established, it is very hard – if not impossible – to eradicate.
On February 20, 2008, a workshop was held to explore Phragmites issues in northeastern Wisconsin. The materials from this day are posted at the Phragmites Workshop page.
LINKS TO ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
WDNR Resources
WDNR Fact Sheet, “Beach Maintenance Activities” (pdf, 80 Kb)
WDNR News Release, August 5, 2008: Great Lakes shoreline owners gain easier way to manage invasive plants on lake beds
WDNR News Release, August 25, 2008: Managing shorelines along Green Bay and Lake Michigan
Phragmites australis Literature Review (in support of new WDNR Invasive Species rules) (pdf, 69 Kb)
WDNR Phragmites australis Fact Sheet (pdf, 61 Kb)
Wisconsin Waterfront Permit Contacts
Other Resources
Emerging Issues Surrounding Invasion and Control of Phragmites australis in Wisconsin's Wetlands: A Survey of Wetland Professionals (Wisconsin Wetlands Association web page)
Phragmented Phragmites: Distinguishing Exotic and Native Forms of Common Reed (Phragmites australis) (National Park Service PowerPoint Presentation; pdf, 2 Mb)
Phragmites: Common Reed - Morphological Differences between Native and Introduced Genotypes (Cornell University web page)
A Landowner's Guide to Phragmites Control (Michigan Dept of Environmental Quality; pdf, 6.2 Mb)
A Guide to the Control and Management of Invasive Phragmites (MI DEQ, Ducks Unlimited, USFWS, et al.; pdf, 2 Mb)
Phragmites australis (The Nature Conservancy web page)
Invasive Plants of Wisconsin: Phragmites australis (UW-Green Bay Cofrin Center for Biodiversity web page)
Common Reed Fact Sheet (National Park Service Plant Conservation Alliance web page)
Phragmites Control at Pine Beach, Marinette County, WI (description of private landowner's experience; pdf, 15 Kb)
A Comparison of Phragmites australis Control Measures in Wisconsin Coastal Wetlands (Master's Thesis; pdf, 450 Kb)
A Comparison of Phragmites australis Control Measures in Wisconsin Coastal Wetlands (PowerPoint presentation; pdf, 1.2 Mb)
|
