Post on 07-Nov-2015
description
Phragmites Management Techniques
Erik Kiviat
Presentation 2014 Erik Kiviat
Midsummer: Marsh and Distances -Alan Gussow
Characteristics of Piermont Marsh pertinent to management
Large tidal marsh, several thousand years old, urban environmentSeasonally brackish (about 0 14 ppt, higher on high marsh)High nutrient levels in Hudson RiverHistory includes railroad, paper mill, gas pipeline, garbage dump, sewage disposal, salt hay harvest
Characteristics of Phragmites pertinent to management
Super-weed, adapted to human impactsVery diverse and adaptable geneticallyRhizomatous and colonialRobust and highly productiveTolerates wide range of salinity, fertility, contaminants, etc.Provides many non-habitat ecosystem servicesHabitat functions for some species and not others; varies according to
management
Management should be goal-directed and site-specific
Goal: Optimize conservation of rare plants and high salt meadows, and non-habitat ecosystem services that include coastal storm defense (?)
Sequenced(?) management of an environmental weed
Keep it out of an area
Early detection, rapid response (EDRR)
Contain
Eradicate
Modify stands
Harvest for products
Leave it alone
Herbicide
Advantages: Lots of experienceIt works to some extent
Disadvantages:Toxic to nontarget plants, animals, and microorganismsDifficult to measure toxicity in field
Sulfide addition
Advantages:Augments a naturally abundant chemical
Disadvantages:Possibly toxic to non-target organisms
Covering with plastic (solarization)
Advantages:Spatially selectiveModerate amount of experience including in tidal marshes
Disadvantages:Effort intensiveKills all plants beneath plastic
Frequent cutting with collection of cut material
Advantages:Can be targeted to some extentNontoxicSoil impacts if machinery used incautiously
Disadvantages:Must isolate and contain surrounding Phragmites colony to prevent feeding or re-colonizing cut areaEffort-intensive
Livestock grazing
Advantages:InexpensiveExperience in nontidal habitats
Disadvantages:Little experience in tidal habitats?Mobilization of nutrients via manureSoil impacts
Phragmites grazed by cow
Classical biocontrol(using natural enemies: from the weeds native range; reduces biomass, does not eradicate)
Advantages:Self-maintaining, little cost after large R&D investmentFew effects on non-target plants
Disadvantages:Sometimes doesnt work, or effects are patchyNot site-specificWidespread effects on Phragmites ecosystem servicesMay attack non-target plants (e.g., native Phragmites)
Classical biocontrol for Phragmites is being developed at Cornell University. It could be adverse to Phragmitesecosystem services.
Augmentative or microbial biological control
Advantages:Low risk to non-target speciesSite-specific
Disadvantages:R&D needed to identify safe, effective control organisms
Encouraging muskrat populations(by building small elevated nest platforms)
Advantages:InexpensiveSomewhat selective food habits (e.g., cattail > Phragmites > Spartina)
Disadvantages:Experience limited to non-tidal marshes in MidwestFeeding on rare native plants possible
Phragmites management overall(i.e., reduction of Phragmites extent or biomass)
Advantages:May achieve species conservation goalsMay allow conservation of high salt meadow community or rare native plants
Disadvantages:Might fail to achieve conservation goalsReduction in non-habitat ecosystem servicesReduction of habitat functions for certain species
Distinguish science from social factors
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