Maggie's Farm

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Saturday, February 27. 2010

Phragmites australis

A reader sent in this photo of Phragmites australis, aka Phragmites, aka Common Reed, from a southern New England marsh yesterday. This presumably non-native, invasive reed has spread like a cancer in marshes across the US, crowding out native marsh species and, in many areas, creating hundreds or thousands of acres of sterile "monoculture" marshland (eg the vast and once-biologically-bountiful New Jersey marshlands).


(There is a native species of Phragmites, shorter, far less aggressive, and pickier of habitat. I took a photo of a stand of it in Canada, but can't find my photo. Here's a genetic study of Phragmites species in North America.)


Ducks Unlimited has many programs, such as this one, to try to control these weed reeds. Nonetheless, they are here to stay. Illegal immigration or globalization?


Posted by Bird Dog in Natural History and Conservation, Our Essays at 10:07 | Comment (1) | Trackbacks (0)

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Hey Bird Dog,

How correct you are. For nine years now, 3-5 times weekly, I've taken my Norwegian Elkhound to a 1500 acre park/conservation area that is, believe it or not on Boston's city limits. The area is primarily marsh. I estimate that today it is 25% Phragmites. Each year I've watched it spread across the landscape. It reminds me of a Stephen King story.
#1 SerenityNow! on 2010-02-27 14:07 (Reply)
One need not be an invasive to produce a monoculture. Most pine forests impose a tyranny on competing flora only dreamed of by Phragmites. Ever see much growing below pine trees? It has more to do with allelopathy - the secretion of powerful natural herbicides by pine trees than it does by blocking sunlight.

Be that as it may- I am in favor of any goal that creates more ducks- especially those susceptible to decoys and bad calling.
#2 Pat Moffitt on 2010-02-28 00:27 (Reply)
Having invested my professional career, the first one, in Weed management and over 15 years dealing specifically with non native invasive species I can attest to the damage done and the need to be aware of the damage these plants can and do cause.
#3 Rodger on 2010-02-28 14:12 (Reply)

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