| |
Great Lakes Marsh Ecosystem |
"The Huron to Erie Waterways for Wildlife Project brings together a broad bi-national coalition of individuals representing government, industry and community groups working to identify priority issues and viable actions needed to help ensure a sustainable watershed along the corridor," said Bob Johnson, President, Wildlife Habitat Council. "As a result of the workshops and on-the-ground projects, we will continue to enhance and restore the biological integrity of the waters and terrestrial ecosystems and demonstrate the impact of this internationally coordinated group of stakeholders for sustainable development." Workshop Press Release The tall grass Phragmites australis (common reed) increasingly threatens wetlands in the southern Great Lakes region, including the Lake Huron to Lake Erie corridor. Once established, the plant’s deep and fast growing rhizomes make it difficult to remove. The Phragmites workshop provided information for volunteer land stewards who are active with corporate and other properties that include large or small wetlands. Detailed presentations and discussions provided participants with ideas on how to prevent Phragmites invasion, such as by monitoring high-quality and susceptible wetlands, as well as steps for eradicating already established Phragmites. A significant component of the workshop included sharing of experiences, both successful and not. The workshop was sponsored by Wildlife Habitat Council’s Huron to Erie Waterways for Wildlife Project, with funding from BASF Corporation's Wyandotte Site. Spraying considered to kill weeds infesting shorelines
Phragmites threaten wildlife, property values By Chad Selweski, Macomb Daily Staff Writer At a workshop held Thursday at Metro Beach in Harrison Township, experts said chemical spraying has successfully controlled or eliminated phragmites in numerous East Coast and Southern states for years. A DNR spraying program in Michigan wiped out phragmites that had taken hold in the St. Clair River delta area. Among the approximately 75 people in attendance at Thursday's workshop were government officials, corporate representatives, and activists from the United States and Canada who are worried about the damaging effects of the resilient weed. READ MORE |
Historical Distribution and Abundance of Phragmites australis at Long Point, Lake Erie, Ontario
Scott Petrie, Director of Research, Long Point Waterfowl and Wetlands Research Fund Phragmites Control in the St. Clair River Delta: Study Overview and Lessons for Landowners
Ernie Kafcas, Wildlife Biologist, Michigan Department of Natural Resources Delaware Estuary Phragmites Control Partnership
Rick Johnstone, President, Integrated Vegetated Management Partners Phragmites Control in the St. Clair River Delta
Results and Conclusion  Herbicide-treated plots without burning did not show a significant post-burn release of native species.
Evaluations from this study indicate that good to excellent control of phragmites can be achieved for at least two years and will also enhance the reestablishment and recovery of non-target wetland vegetation. However, phragmites begins to recover at three years post treatment and follow-up management will be required. The combination of herbicide broadcast, followed by the sequence of flooding, dewatering, burning and flooding provided the most consistent control of phragmites.
Pre-Treatment of Phragmites
|
Post-Treatment of Phragmites
|
Stop by regional events for local projects and workshops in your community.
|
