Phragmites australis: A major invasive threat to

Great Lakes coastal habitats J.M. Gilbert, Ph.D., Ecologist, Ontario Parks

Frank Letourneau, Dover Agri-Serve

Canada/Ontario AgreementRespecting the

Great Lakes Ecosystem

Some facts:• Phragmites australis - common reed, giant reed

• Native species- uncommon member of wetland plant communities in North America for at least 3000 yrs

• Last few decades noticeable increase in Phragmites populations- monocultures

• Issue first realized along Eastern Seaboard ~1970’s

It’s like this grass is on steroids or something!

Broadway Danny Rose 1984

Some facts cont’d:

• Since mid 1980’s noticed along St. Lawrence, Great Lakes coastal areas

• Reduced biodiversity, hydrological alterations, nutrient cycling changes

• Population explosion thought to be linked to land use changes- increased disturbance, hydrological changes, urbanization, eutrophication

• Recent genetic research indicates invasive haplotype ‘M’Phragmites australis subsp. australis

Some facts cont’d:

• Spreads into new areas through seed dispersal and rhizomes especially in disturbed sites

• ~2,000 seeds/head; low germination rate; germination occurs on moist, bare soil

• Once established spreads predominantly underground via rhizomes; dense clones ~200 stems/m2

Observed differences between native and introduced Phragmites clone

Trait

Native Haplotypes

Introduced Haplotypes

(Haplotype M)

Gulf Coast

(Haplotype I)

Leaf sheaths Fall off in the fall or are very easy removed if they stay on the stem.

Leaf sheaths stay on the plant, occasionally basal ones fall off the stem. Leaf sheaths are difficult to remove (use a twisting motion)

Not known

Stem color at base (spring/summer)

Note: Leaf sheath needs to be removed

Red to Chestnut

Tan

Very occasionally do lower internodes show a brownish coloration in the winter.

Not known

Stem color at base (winter)

Note: Leaf sheath needs to be removed on introduced haplotype

Light chestnut to light brown/gray

Tan

Not known

Stem texture

Note: Run your finger across and up and down the stem after removing the leaf sheath

Smooth and shiny

(Looks polished. Often with dark spots [fungal

attack] clustered at nodes in winter). Stem

fungus absent in currently known

Western and southwestern populations)

Rough and dull

(Stems are ribbed. Ridges visible with naked eye. Very Occasionally do basal internodes appear smooth).

Not known

Stem flexibility High Rigid Not known Stem toughness Low High Not known

Native vs Invasive

Trait

Native Haplotypes

Introduced Haplotypes

(Haplotype M)

Gulf Coast

(Haplotype I)

Stem density

Low

High

High

Time of Flowering Early (July-August) Intermediate ( August September)

Late (October-November)

Inflorescence

Sparse

Please note that sparse inflorescenses not automatically indicate native status!

Dense

Not known

http://www.invasiveplants.net/phragmites/morphology.htm

Native vs Invasive

< 1mm(0.4 - 0.9 mm)

> 1 mm(1.0 - 1.7 mm)

Ligule WidthNative Invasive

J. M. Swearingen, National Park Service

Native vs Invasive

Control Options

Mechanical control: burning, cutting, drowning, smothering

Control Options

Mechanical control: burning, cutting, drowning, smothering

Livestock grazing: cattle, sheep, goats

Biological: - 140 herbivores in Europe; 40% feed only on Phragmites

- 26 herbivores known to attack Phragmites in the U.S.- all but 5 introduced- 4 moths recently identified as potentially effective (Dr. Blossey, Cornell University; XHarpSPAH@aol.com)

Chemical control: Glyphosate (Roundup, Rodeo), Imazapyr (Habitat)- Spraying, injection, handwicking

Round Up Active ingredient Glyphosate:

Roundup Ultra II, Weathermax (Monsanto)

White, crystalline organophosphate salt (C3H8NO5P)

extremely broad spectrum plant mortality primarily due to the inability of most plant species to rapidly metabolize the chemical to non-toxic forms

readily absorbed into the treated plants from the leaves to the roots and shoot apices where the meristematic growth cells are located

the chemical inhibits 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) which is a key enzyme in the shikimate biosynthetic pathway

enzyme is essential in the production of aromatic amino acids, auxin, phytoalexins, folic acid, lignin, plastoquinones and numerous secondary products required by plants

particular chemical is relatively harmless to animals since they lack the shikimate pathway

Roundup Roundup products:

Surfactant: polyethoxylated alkyl amine (POEA)

Numerous studies examining impact of Roundup herbicides, glyphosate and POEA; summary documents (Felsot, 2000; Giesy et al.2000; Durkin, 2003; Monheit, 2003; Hallas et al., 2007)

No over water approval for any Roundup product in N.A.

U.S. Rodeo-add listed surfactant

Australia- Roundup Biactive, environmentally safe surfactant; registered in U.K.

Canadian Forestry Sector: Vision (glyphosate and POEA) aerial application

The issues

Within expansive Phragmites stands (> .25 ha) wildlife were absent (no nests, tracks, scat or other evidence of use)

Native plant species cannot compete with Phragmites

The loss of habitat for numerous Species at Risk and other wetland dependent wildlife will be extensive if this invasive plant is left unchecked

The issues cont’d

Control of both Phragmites and cattail has been occurring in drymunicipal ditches throughout Southwestern Ontario over the past 20 years using glyphosate products

Licenced pesticide applicators can legally use Roundup Ultra II to target Phragmites in wetlands and on beaches as long as surface water is not present during time of application

Cosmetic Pesticide ban- a requirement to obtain a written opinion from the district OMNR to use a chemical on non-provincial government properties

The issues cont’d

URMULE (User Requested Minor Use Label Expansion) application required by the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) to include Phragmites on labels of Roundup Ultra II, Weathermax, and Vision for legal application throughout Canada- Approved July 2010

The most effective control methods known are not currently legal options in Canada (aerial/over water application of glyphosate)

Phragmites Control Pilot Projects

1) Testing efficacy of Roundup vs. grass select herbicides - Experimental plots

2) Roundup spraying in difficult to access, sensitive, habitats

3) Mechanical control- cutting/flooding

Phragmites Control Pilot Projects: Locations

Hamilton

London

Windsor Lake Erie

Ontario

Phragmites ControlPilot Projects

Lake Erie

Rondeau BayRondeau ProvincialPark

Pilot Project: Experimental plots- grass specific herbicides

Percentage of Species Present in 120 Marsh Trail Plots

Other Species (26 spp.)

3%Phragmites

(Live)28%

Phragmites (Dead)

69%

8 herbicides (including Roundup Ultra II), vinegar, control2 methods: spray and injection120 1x1m2 plots6 replicates per treatment

Grass specific herbicides are not as effective as Roundup Ultra II in controlling Phragmites (spray treatments)

Roundup Ultra II does not appear to reduce plant species diversity

Chemical translocation through connected belowground structures was not evident in injection treatments

Most effective injection product was vinegar (%5 or 25% acetic acid)

What we have learned:

Pilot Project: Phragmites control by spraying Roundup in difficult to access, sensitive, habitats

McLean and Bates Wetlands, Rondeau Bay 2007- 08

Diversity in Phragmites Communities McLean Marsh

Phragmites, 96.9% other, 3.1%

What we have learned:In well established Phragmites communities native plants are rarely observed

> 5m in height

McLean Marsh, Rondeau Bay, 2007

Conventional spray equipment is not appropriate for use in most natural systems

What we have learned: cont’d

Stuck!!!, McLean Marsh 2007

Spraying from ladders and trees is effective at some sites but is NOT efficient or safe

What we have learned: cont’d

Rondeau Bay 2007

A retrofitted ARGO is highly effective and efficient in certain habitats

What we have learned: cont’d

Rondeau Bay 2008

What we have learned: cont’dRoundup Ultra sprayed at a 5% concentration on mature plants can control ~85% of densely populated stand after 1 treatment

McLean Marsh, Rondeau Bay, Pre-treatment, 2007

McLean Marsh, Rondeau Bay, Post-treatment, 2008

What we have learned: cont’dControlling Phragmites with Roundup Ultra II does not appear to adversely affect native plant species recovery

Cattail, bulrush, sedge, arrowhead, wild rice, McLean Marsh, August 2008

Impatiens, 6.6%Phalaris, 10%

Typha spp., 58.7%

Phragmites, 17.2%

15 other spp. , 7.5%

What we have learned: cont’dRemoval of biomass appears to improve native plant species response and allows for easier follow-up Phragmites control

McLean Marsh, Rondeau Bay, 2007

What we have learned: cont’dRolling standing dead Phragmites stalks prior to burning is safer, reduces seed residue, promotes drowning

McLean Marsh, Rondeau Bay, 2007

What we have learned: cont’dControlling Phragmites by cutting and flooding may be a non-chemical option where feasible

Pilot Project 2007- 08: Experimental plot testing mechanical control, Rondeau Bay

What we have learned: cont’dInjection and/or hand wicking will control Phragmites in low density stands where spraying is not a safe option

Sauble Beach, October 2008Rhizome injection

Hand wicking

What we have learned: cont’dInjection of Roundup Ultra directly into rhizomes appears to translocate to attached plants

Sauble Beach, October 2008

Plot boundary

Injected stems with green flagging

Dead, dieingPhragmitesoutside of plot

Native plantsnot affected

What we have learned: cont’d

Timing and design of a Phragmites control project is site specific

Rondeau Provincial Park, Lake Erie Kincardine shoreline, Lake Huron

What we have learned: cont’d

Sauble Beach October 2008

Public education (signage, flyers, local paper articles/notices, meetings) is essential

Public participation is key for successful long term Phragmites management due to recurring invasions

Next Steps?

Require experienced advocate (forestry sector?) to pursue legal approvals for aerial and over water herbicide Phragmites control options in Canada

Secure funding to support required initiatives and on the ground control efforts

Establish Province wide Phragmites control program to determine extent of invasion and target ‘valuable’, at risk habitats as first priority (crown or privately owned)

Establish Phragmites Technical Team: mandate to assist with proposed Phragmites control projects from an ecological, legal, logistical, and public relations perspective

Recommended Next Steps:

Durkin, P.R. 2003. Glyphosate- Human health and ecological risk assessment, Final Report. Prepared for USDA, Forest Service, SERA TR 02-43-09-04a, www.sera-inc.com.

Giesy, J.P., S. Dobson, and K. R. Solomon. 2000. Ecotoxicological Risk Assessment for Roundup Herbicide. Rev. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 167: 35-120

Felsot, A.S. Herbicide tolerant genes, Part 2: Giddy ‘bout glyphosate. Agrichemical and Environmental News, November 2000, Issue No. 175, Washington State University

Monheit, S. 2003. Glyphosate-based aquatic herbicides. An overview of Risk. ceres.ca.gov/tadn/control_manage/docs/glyphosate_aqua_risk.pdf

Guiseppe, K.F.L., F.A. Drummond, C.Stubbs, and S. Woods. 2006. The use of glyphosate herbicides in managed forest ecosystems and their effects on non-target organisms with particular reference to ants as bioindicators. Technical Bulletin 192, Maine Agricultural and forest experiment station, The University of Maine.

Hallas, E., M. Berg, and K. Johannesen. 2007. The fate and effect of glyphosate on amphibians. Final report ENSC 202. www.uvm.edu/~wbowden/Teaching/ENSC202_Watersheds/Resources/Public/Projects/Project_docs2007/REPORT_Glyposphate.doc

Sigg, J. 1998. The role of herbicides in preserving biodiversity. Fremontia 26:4, http://ceres.ca.gov/tadn/Digital_Lib_index.

Recommended References

Special thanks to: Keith McLean, Rondeau Provincial Park Staff (Emily Slavik, Rick Hornsby, Jon Wild, Mike Nettleton, Mark Mc Clennan),The Friends of Rondeau (Darren Jacobs, Ric and Anne McArthur), LEMU Staff (Lindsay Bennett, Heather Whitford, Tina Werner, Rich Drouin, Dixie Greenwood, Kurt Oldenburg, John Cooper, Greg Dunn, Brian Locke, Mike Morencie), Kent Stewardship Rangers, Chad Burley, Milan Sojak, John Haggeman (CWS), The Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation (Geoff Peach), The Friends of Sauble Beach, Wasaga Beach Provincial Park (Keith Johnston), Jessie Orr, Nikki Brewer

Questions/Comments?