Phragmites - Quiet Invasion

Sensationalized and hyped stories come at us at such a rapid-fire rate that it’s sometimes easy to neglect giving appropriate attention to quieter but nonetheless insidious threats to our well-being. One significant menace which is growing, under the radar for most people, is the invasive Phragmites weed.

This noxious plant was a major topic at, “Preparing for the Invasion”, a day of public seminars hosted by Morel Magazine in St. Thomas last November. The exponential and, in most cases, unimpeded spread of such a threatening, difficult to eradicate species could easily be seen as an overwhelming challenge. However, St. Thomas resident David Collins’s presentation of the approach he and his committee have taken in the city provided a positive model of grassroots effectiveness. It inspired Marg Hulls from Dutton to spearhead a group in her own municipality. She says, “His message seemed to me to have answers to the problem.”

Andreas Trepte, www.photo-natur.de /CC-BY-SA-2.5

R. A. Nonenmacher /CC-BY-SA-4.0

Marg, a nature lover and educator, invited David Collins to share what was happening in St. Thomas at a meeting of the West Elgin Nature Club. He outlined the process his committee has undertaken – it has included extensive research and consultation with experts, creation of a grassroots committee, procurement of expert help, development of a step-wise plan and involvement of a wide circle of organizations for support and assistance.
 
Following the West Elgin Nature Club meeting, five people volunteered to form a committee to help eradicate invasive Phragmites in western Elgin. They have received support from experts Janice Gilbert and Nancy Vidler, been given access to the St. Thomas plan, begun a process of public education and obtained a resolution from Dutton Dunwich council this past July.  That council resolved to authorize a Phragmites Advisory Committee which will be responsible for mapping stands along and near municipal roads. The committee has also submitted a request for monetary assistance from the 2017 budget. West Elgin council voted to return the Phragmites issue back to council for future discussion.  

Marg Hulls leading a nature hike on Spicer Trail

Marg has contacted many experts and emphasizes, “These experts warn that it is important to have a plan and not to attack Phragmites in a piecemeal fashion.”
 
Phragmites australis is one of those problems which can be worsened by “cosmetic” solutions that don’t take into account the intricacies (and in this case, quite literally, the roots) of the problem.  With the work of David Collins’s committee, we have an excellent local model of an effective approach. Do you know what steps are being taken to eradicate Phragmites in your area?

For more information, including an example of a large-scale plan, the Municipality of Lambton Shores Phragmites Plan, visit the Ontario Phragmites Working Group website, www.opwg.ca. Find Morel Magazine’s article on Phragmites by Mary Baxter at www.morelmag.ca. For anyone interested in learning more or assisting in the eradication of this invasive weed, please contact Marg Hulls at 519-762-2049 or zerophrag@yahoo.com.

Phragmites australis, Elgin County

Phragmites australis, Elgin County

ABOUT INVASIVE PHRAGMITES AUSTRALIS

• an aggressively spreading grass capable of reaching heights greater than five metres and densities of over 200 plants per square metre
  
• it has no natural controls
• much of its biomass is found underground in an intricate system of roots and rhizomes
• its rhizomes can grow horizontally several metres per year; this is the most common method of reproduction

• seeds and other parts are spread by wind, water, animals and human movement (i.e. in or on boats, trailers, ATV’s and construction equipment)

THE PROBLEM WITH PHRAGMITES AUSTRALIS

• in 2005 Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada identified it as Canada’s worst invasive plant
• it takes over roadside ditches, open agricultural drains, natural wetlands, constructed ponds and shorelines
• stands become so dense that native vegetation is crowded out
• toxins from the roots impede the growth of other plants and can even kill them
• during the dry season dead Phragmites stems are highly combustible, increasing the risk of intense fires
• infestations at rural road intersections and driveways prevent proper sight lines, thus creating a driving hazard
• wildlife (turtles, plus other animals and birds) are unable to flourish in this monoculture
• agricultural drains and roadside ditches become clogged due to fallen stems and leaf material
• water levels are lowered as it grows very quickly

SOLUTIONS

• costs to eradicate it are high but ignoring the problem will have higher costs
• mapping of the location and density ofPhragmites, particularly along municipal roadways, needs to be undertaken to gauge the extent of the problem
• landowners have a great stake in the eradication of this invasive plant
• suitable controls are site-specific and proven best practices can help eradicate this scourge