Invasive Phragmites in Sunrise Bay Apartmentsby Thomas LeMasters

Project Description

Survey two ponds behind my apartment complex

Identify species of reeds(Cattails, Invasive/ Native Phragmites)

Estimate relative density, identify future seeding trends, ecological damage, and solutions.

The Ponds

Identifiable by the green

points

Phragmites

Common Reed(Phragmites Australis)

Found in nearly all of North America

Grows upwards of 15ft in height, 1-1.5in wide.

Ecological Threat

Quickly invades new habitats.

Out competes native plant species.

Changing wetland hydrology.

changing wildlife habitat.

Increases fire potential.

Creates monoculture

Cattails

Native species important to biodiversity

Ascetically pleasing

Lower growth rate

Data Dictionary

Phragmites points

These Triangles represent the areas in which Phrag was found.

The Uppermost point was a 2,500 square foot pond which had roughly 70 percent coverage by Phrag.

The middle point located near the main road was a small patch in a large patch of cattails.

The last point on the edge was a small patch of Phrag.

Cattails

The yellow border represents a large section of Cattails. This is probably due to the winds from the ocean concentrating nutrients flowing from the inlet.

The red x represents a small patch of cattails.

Future?

Its likely that similar to the smaller pond, the large pond Phrag will begin to increase its growth rate, and eventually out compete the cattails.

I would recommend treatment for the smaller pond

Methods for preventing Phragmites are chemical and physical.

Burning methods.

Glyphosate.

References

Saltonstall, K. (2010). Pca alien plant working group - common reed .