Administrative Secretary Utilization Review Public Works Department Environmental Services Division Phragmites Management February 20, 2013 ~Providing services that bring our City to life !
Phragmitesmanagment,hamiltonpublicworks
Apr 03, 2016
http://hamiltonharbour.ca/resources/documents/PhragmitesManagment,HamiltonPublicworks.pdf
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Administrative Secretary Utilization Review
Public Works Department
Environmental Services Division
Phragmites Management February 20, 2013
~Providing services that bring our City to life !
Phragmites Management
Phragmites australis (European common reed)
Introduction
• Invasive perennial
grass causing
severe damage to
wetlands and
beaches.
• Identified in 2005
as Canada’s
“worst” invasive
plant species by
researchers at
Agriculture and
Agri-food Canada.
Phragmites Management
Introduction
Seeds: Phragmites produces a large number of seeds per year (up to 2,000 per seed head). Stolons: are stems that are connected to the parent plant that grow along the soil surface and can form roots and shoots. Rhizomes: Rhizomes are underground stems that are connected to the parent plant that are capable of growing roots and shoots. (can be over 20 feet long in a season)
Phragmites Management
Issues
Phragmites Management
Issues
Aggressive spread into our wetlands and roadsides
• It can attain heights of
5 metres or more.
Phragmites Management
Issues
Example of the spread of Phragmites in Dundas
• Desjardins Canal 2002 • Desjardins Canal 2010
Phragmites Management
Issues
Identification is
difficult from a
distance. The
native variety is
not found in
mono stands
and poses no
threat to the
environment.
Differences:
• Seed density &
timing
• Height
• Stand density
• Stem colour
• Stem texture
• Stem flexibility
• Leaf colour and
sheaths
Phragmites Management
Issues
• Changes in the water cycles of affected locations
• Negative changes in nutrient cycling
• Increased fire hazards
• Negative effects on agriculture and crops which may lead to
economic losses
• Monoculture stands can affect property values, and raise
aesthetic concerns
• Creation of a monoculture out competing native species/
species at risk
• Affects recreation and tourism
Phragmites Management
• Mechanical excavation
• Flooding
• Prescribed Burning
• Chemical Herbicide– wipe, dap and spray
• Mowing
• Roll and tarp
• Replanting with native plants
Methods for control
Phragmites Management
• Inventory, Mapping and Monitoring
• Aim to develop plans for controlling Phragmites
• Year one trials
Action Plan
Regrowth after first spray Bulrushes coming back
Phragmites Management
• Year two trials
• Develop plans for outreach and education about
Phragmites
• Sharing of information
• Securing funding to assist with the costs of control
Action Plan
Phragmites Management
Education/ Communication
Aim: Promote the Management of invasive Phragmites
• Target Audience
• Councillors
• Neigbouring property owners
• Key partners and influencers
• Key Messages
• Awareness
• Management
Phragmites Management
Hydro One – vegetation management – Beverley Swamp rototill
and spray (fire concern
???Huron lake shores - spot spray and helicopter spray
(challenging)
Grandbend Municipality – spraying (backpack application) and
have $23,000 from Great Lakes Funding (can’t fund spraying),
they have council support and good partnerships
Longpoint – Water fowl association – dredging
Whapole/ Sarnia municipality – spraying and then touch ups
(Aug-Sept most effective time)
Halton Conservation – monitoring and mapping 2007-2008,
other invasive species also targeted
Grand River Conservation Authority - monitoring
What others are doing
Phragmites Management
Golden horseshoe Invasive Plant council - Lobbying for
investigations and use of herbicides over water
Lampton Shores - willing to host a Municipal training workshop
RBG – monitoring, would like to contain and stop spread
MNR – invasive species project, clean equipment protcol,
training for municipal employees, mapping
MTO – vegetation management
Rondeau Provincial Park – controlled burns, soil sampling and
spraying, flooding, rolling, tarping – have some results they can
share – good resource
Ontario Phragmities Management Group – developing web site,
tool kit, facilitating exchange of information and education
What others are doing
Phragmites Management
• Creation of a Tool Box
• Sharing of results
Next Steps
Phragmites Management
http://greatlakesphragmites.net
http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca
- Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources,
Invasive Phragmites – Best Management Practices,
Ontario Ministry of Natural
Resources, Peterborough, Ontario. Version 2011. 15p
Resources