Phragmites and Social Media By Ray Stewart

I am curious about the potential of social media and have started accounts on several in the past year. Facebook was first, then Twitter, and then LinkedIn. I don't pretend to use any of them much but I am beginning to see their potential. While exploring the Wetlands International web page I saw a chance to join their group on LinkedIn. Since FOWL is often asked what to do about wetland invasive plants, I throw the question out for discussion to the LinkedIn Wetlands International Group. ‘What resources are available to help manage Phragmites in mitigated wetlands?’ A rather lively discussion has developed.

My first response was from a doctoral student 'Sasha' doing research in Kazakhstan where she is investigation the relative rate of evapotranspiration of Phragmites. It looks like more water moves to the atmosphere through the plant than off the open waters of the marsh. Sasha was shocked that I thought that Phragmites was undesirable and that I would be looking for ways to manage it. In her setting, the 'giant reed' is a valuable roofing material.

In this part of the world (Ohio), the introduced Phragmites is a vigorous plant that can form dense patches and push out native plants. It can alter wetland hydrology, increase the potential for fire and especially degrade wetland wildlife habitat because of its extremely dense growth habit.

Then Ruark C. in Florida chimed in to set me straight. There are different forms of Phragmites australis in the U.S. There is a native variety and an exotic aggressive exotic variety. He provided a link to a resource that would help me learn to distinguish them. He went on describe in detail the 'Roundup' based herbicide cocktail that would be most useful. He was also kind enough to provide a web link to reliable resources.

Helpful booklets from the State of Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, A Guide to the Control and Management of Invasive Phragmites and also, A Landowner’s Guide to Phragmites Control

I can see how a social network can be used to build a strong group of like-minded people to share expertise. I would invite all who read this to join in. Our FOWL (Friends of Wetlands) Facebook page is a good place to start.