Protecting our Natural Areas from Phragmites and other Invaders

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1 Protecting our Natural Areas from Phragmites and other Invaders by Laurie Kaufman Asclepias incarnata, photo by Laurie Kaufman

2 What do we mean by Invasive Species? The Stewardship Network, The Nature Conservancy, and the Departments of Natural Resources and Environmental Quality define invasive species as those (usually exotic) species that increasingly dominate an ecosystem over time, usually due to the lack of natural competition (predators). Photo by Laurie Kaufman

3 Invasive Species - Second only to habitat loss as a threat to biodiversity in our natural areas - Most invasive plant species were brought here for food or aesthetics - Invasive plants thrive relative to native plants due to the absence of competitors and the fact that our insects and browsing animals cannot use them for food - Invasive plant species typically move from disturbed land (old fields, roadsides, trains, developed property) into natural areas.

4 Phragmites australis ( common reed ) Genetic tests show invasive Phragmites originated in Europe (arrived in ship ballast in early 1900s; used for erosion control before its invasiveness became apparent) The Moving Wall Photo by Laurie Kaufman

5 Phragmites Causes Ecological Damage Phragmites is allelopathic its roots and rhizomes secrete substances that kill surrounding plants. Forms dense populations in marshes, wetlands. Monoculture of Phragmites forces out native plants (reduces biodiversity). Phragmites monocultures not hospitable as habitat for most native wetland creatures

6 Phragmites Height up to 15 feet 80% of biomass underground! Photo by Laurie Kaufman, Phyllis Higman, MNFI Photo Leslie Kuhn

7 Phragmites rhizomes may extend 6 ft below ground, spread sideways 60 ft each year, putting up new stalks as they go. Deadly root secretions kill other plants Photos by Laurie Kaufman

8 Photo by Laurie Kaufman Phragmites spreads rapidly along roadside ditches takes over wetland and riparian areas

9 Photo by Laurie Kaufman Phragmites invades new areas via road construction and mowing (rhizome fragments)

10 One plant can produce 2,000 seeds Photo by Laurie Kaufman

11 Consequences of Phragmites Invasion: Dense growth traps sediment, blocks drains Changes hydrology of marshes, wetlands, lakes (reducing depth of water) Photo courtesy of Susan Vincent

12 Consequences of Phragmites Invasion: Fire hazard to nearby buildings

13 Lake Lansing Watershed Phragmites Treatment 2011

14 Management of Invasive Phragmites Mowing off stems just encourages the roots to be more productive and stretch farther Herbicide is primary control (leaf application) Prioritize Target smaller colonies first Target threats to lakes, etc. Avoid spreading rhizomes

15 Herbicide Treatment of Phragmites: a Long-Term Strategy Glyphosate (available in special aquatic formulas).* Between Labor Day and first killing frost (plants pull sugars down to roots) More is NOT BETTER (concentrated herbicide kills stems before reaching roots) Improper use of glyphosate terrestrial formulations in an aquatic habitat may harm fish and macroinvertebrates and violates federal and state laws. Permits are required for herbicide treatments in aquatic environments. See Then search invasive to find pdfs: A Landowner s Guide to Phragmites Control A Guide to the Control and Management of Invasive Phragmites

16 Herbicide Treatment of Phragmites: a Long-Term Strategy WAIT at least 2 weeks for glyphosate to move completely down to rhizomes before cutting stems Avoid spreading rhizomes if cutting dead stems (dispose in landfill not in compost) Prescribed burn may be used on large dense stands after herbicide treatment (hire a prescribed burn contractor and contact local fire department) Spot treat the following season For more information see

17 Phragmites in Lake Lansing Park North and along parts of Lake Drive treated with aquatic formulation of glyphosate in September 2009 Spot-treat in 2010 Photos by Leslie Kuhn

18 Marsh Master Technology!

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20 Wear Protective Clothes Rubber Boots, Gloves Long Sleeved Shirt, Hat

21 Confused about whether you may have native Phragmites rather than invasive Phragmites? See or contact Leslie Kuhn, Mid-Michigan Stewardship Initiative

22 Reed canary grass has wide flower clusters in June that narrow by August Reed Canary Grass (Phalaris arundinacea) Height 2-9 ft; sometimes confused with Phragmites

23 Invasive Phragmites Flower / Seed Plumes Late Summer Spring

24 Another Invader: Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum) Herbaceous perennial shrub Semi-woody hollow stems, white flowers Threat to riparian areas Breaks through pavement & building foundations Forms dense stands Tolerant of drought and flooding Difficult to control Example corner of Abbott/Chandler and Lake Lansing Rd.

25 Treating Japanese Knotweed is difficult - requires use of restricted herbicides. Call us for help!

26 Phragmites is a Community Problem Phragmites spread is not halted by traditional legal boundaries between parcels

27 Conquering Phragmites a Wetland Invader Treated 35 acres of phragmites and 2 acres of Japanese knotweed in 66 different sites spread across ~2000 acres 40 landowners cooperated with Mid- Michigan Stewardship, along with Ingham County Parks, Meridian Township, MSU, and the Lake Lansing Watershed Board Six volunteers contributed 272 hours on the project (including board presentations, field surveying, mapping, gaining landowner permissions, permit applications, and field work)

28 Invasive species cross property lines. Get your neighbors involved! Help restore our land to a healthy natural condition

29 For more information on Phragmites visit and (then search invasive to find pdfs below) A Landowner s Guide to Phragmites Control A Guide to the control and Management of Invasive Phragmites Invasive Plants of the Upper Midwest Elizabeth J. Czarapata University of Wisconsin Press, 2005 Invasive Plants S. R. Kaufman and W. Kaufman (no relation) Stackpole Books, 2007 A Field Identification Guide to Invasive Plants in Michigan s Natural Communities