Invasive Phragmites australis Workshop
By Diane Hasley

On April 3, 2009, the Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation (LHCCC) sponsored a very informative workshop at the Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre in Southampton. Doug Freiburger, Board Member, LHCCC, welcomed the participants and Patrick Donnelly, Coastal Manager, LHCCC, emphasized the need to take a sciencebased approach in efforts to control Phragmites — not for cosmetic reasons — but because of the threat to ecosystems.

The Speakers and Their Topics

• Janice Gilbert, Wetland Ecologist, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), gave a detailed presentation of her experiences with Phragmites and described ongoing control programs, particularly in Rondeau Provincial Park on Lake Erie.

• Bill Jones, Director of Public Works, Town of Saugeen Shores, offered a municipal approach aimed at achieving balance between recreational needs and long-term sustainability of shoreline ecosystems.

• Keith Johnston, Park Planner, Ontario Parks, discussed the development of a long-term plan, including a vegetation management strategy for Wasaga Provincial Park.

• Trevor Robak, Pesticides Specialist, SW Region, Ontario Ministry of Environment (MOE), explained how new regulations apply to glyphosate, which is the herbicide recommended for the control of Phragmites.

• Bill Droog, Prescribed Fire/Behaviour Specialist, MNR, outlined procedures for those who want to burn standing patches of Phragmites and emphasized safety precautions for burning cut stalks.

• Frank Letourneau, Licensed Pesticide Applicator, described what he has learned during 18 years of Phragmites control experience.

The following is a compilation of the information contained in these presentations:

Background Information

The non-native subspecies of Phragmites australis was first noticed to be an issue on the coast of New Jersey in the 1970s (it had probably been there for several decades).

By the mid 80s, it had spread to the St. Lawrence River area and from there to the Great Lakes and across the continent, growing in monocultures and taking over entire ecosystems. In Ontario, it is currently found south of the Highway 60 corridor. One flowering seed head of this plant can produce 20,000 seeds, which germinate readily in disturbed soils. On land, the rhizomes spread either below or above soil, depending on the conditions. One rhizome that was found measured over 14 metres long!

The plant has developed a different root structure to grow in water.

There is a native subspecies of Phragmites australis, which does not grow in monocultures but can be found interspersed with other plants. If there is any doubt, it is important to consult an expert who is aware of the distinguishing characteristics of each subspecies in order that the native variety is left untouched.

Control Measures

Methods that are currently being used to control Phragmites include removing and burning the seed heads, cutting, flooding, smothering and applying herbicide by spraying, injecting or hand wicking. Trying to remove Phragmites by digging is not a recommended option because pieces of the root system, once disturbed, will spread. Goats grazing in patches of Phragmites can effectively control the growth and allow native species to rebound. Natural control solutions are being investigated.

At least four species of moth are known to attack Phragmites, but there is an understandable reluctance to introduce non-native insects.

Management Plans

Any plan to address the problem of Phragmites must be site specific and will probably rely on a combination of methods. Here are a few examples:

• At Rondeau Provincial Park there are many large plots of Phragmites that are difficult to access. Using a modified vehicle, which allows the operator to spray from a high level, has facilitated the application of herbicide in these areas. Due to the wildlife present in this wetland, control work occurs only in the late fall.

• The proposed plan at Wasaga Provincial Park has taken into consideration 1.7 million visitors and the summer presence of endangered Piping Plovers. Control measures will take place during the less busy times of year. The initial 3-year Wasaga project recognizes that Phragmites will not be eliminated entirely, but aims to reduce and control the plant by using herbicide application in conjunction with cutting and burning seed heads.

• At Sauble Beach, herbicide has been injected into the roots and applied to plants by hand wicking.

• In 2007, a pilot project at Saugeen Shores saw 100 volunteers cut the stalks of vast stands of Phragmites. This project provided an instant, visible improvement but only a slight decline in regrowth. An herbicide trial occurred last summer and was very successful.

In southwestern Ontario and Wasaga, flattening or compressing the stands of Phragmites when the plants are dormant and brittle – after several killing frosts – and then spraying herbicide on the new plants when they are actively growing in June is the most recent technique being used.

The plants are compressed by pulling a farm roller over the area. At other locations, the plants are sprayed in late fall, but the compression/herbicide combination gives much easier access to the plants and uses about 1/4 the amount of herbicide.

Effective management plans include instructions for dealing with the biomass that remains after the work has been done. At Saugeen Shores, outdoor burning is not permitted.

The municipality arranged for the cuttings to be buried at the landfill site. Sometimes it is feasible to burn the plant material, if appropriate permits can be obtained.

However, it is important to know that burning Phragmites produces an extremely hot fire and safety precautions must be part of the plan.

Herbicides and Surfactants

Many chemicals have been tested in the quest to control Phragmites. One that has been found to be effective is glyphosate, which is the herbicide that is found in Roundup. The brand name of the product used for Phragmites is Roundup Ultra, which is much stronger than the domestic version of Roundup. A regulation in the new MOE Cosmetic Pesticides Act does permit individuals to use domestic Roundup for plants like poison ivy that are irritating to the skin, but not for Phragmites. Roundup Ultra can only be purchased and applied by licensed operators. MNR, Conservation Authorities and municipalities that have entered into agreements with MNR may use this product. Private property owners must hire a licensed exterminator and obtain written approval from MNR in order to use an herbicide to control Phragmites.

Because Phragmites can thrive in shallow water, it takes over wetlands and produces “dead zones” where no other species survive. In Canada, herbicide spraying is not permitted over water, including standing water, or from the air.

Most herbicides contain surfactants, which help the liquid adhere to the plant. In Roundup, this surfactant is POEA, which has been found to damage aquatic life including tadpoles. Since Monsanto’s patent for Roundup has expired, the use of glyphosate with other surfactants is being researched in an attempt to find an alternative that might be permitted for use in wet areas. In Australia, Roundup Bioactive is being used. This glyphosate-based product has been formulated to reduce the impact on aquatic organisms. However, it is not available in Canada at the present time.

Summary This workshop was certainly worthwhile, and the speakers were excellent. At the end, there was a panel discussion and a lively question period. The content of the presentations at this workshop is posted at the top right corner on the LHCCC website home page – http://www.lakehuron.on.ca – an ongoing source for information that is relevant to the protection of the Tiny Township shoreline.

It is clear that the invasive subspecies of Phragmites australis will not be eradicated; it is equally clear that there is a huge effort underway to find the most effective methods of control. The professionals involved in this effort are showing the way. We need to follow their lead – not only to restore the ecosystems that have been taken over by this plant, but also to prevent the spread of Phragmites from the Tiny Township beaches to other areas.