Goal

Project goal:

Eradication of small colonies of invasive common reed (Phragmites australis) from wetland habitats to prevent them from spreading.

Approach

Project Approach:

Mechanical removal by hand pulling and cutting or application of a herbicide by foliar spray or direct application to cut common reed stems.

Results

Project Results:

Common reed reduced by 95-99% at each location. Project areas will be regularly inspected in future years to complete eradication and prevent recurrence.

Locations

Project Locations:

Boston Nature Center	eradicate common reed on one acre of a 4-acre marsh
Broad Meadow Brook	eradicate one acre of common reed from a 12-acre marsh
Broadmoor	eradicate 15 acres of common reed from a 175-acre wetland complex
Elm Hill	eradicate one acre of common reed from a 45-acre marsh
Ipswich River	eradicate one acre of common reed from a 55-acre marsh and shrub swamp
Joppa Flats	control one acre of common reed in a 3-acre coastal wetland
Laughing Brook	eradicate scattered common reed plants from a 20-acre marsh
Pleasant Valley	eradicate one acre of common reed from a 20-acre marsh and shrub swamp
Road's End	eradicate one acre of common reed from a 5-acre marsh
Rutland Brook	eradicate 4 acres of common reed from an 80-acre wooded swamp
Skunknett River	eradicate 2 acres of common reed from a 20 acre regenerating cedar swamp

Details

Project Details:

The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program provided partial funding for the implementation of many of these projects. For more information, contact Lou Wagner, Regional Scientist.

Photos

Project Photos: