Phragmites: Difference between revisions

Recognizing the non-native form of ''Phragmites'' early in its invasion increases the opportunity for successful eradication dramatically. Once it has become established, removal by hand is nearly impossible.<ref name=MSU/> The seeds or rhizomes can quickly lead to a new dense stand. Chemical treatment is by far the most utilized method in North America [https://www.greatlakesphragmites.net/management/techniques/].{{citation needed|date=April 2023}} The two most common active ingredients in herbicides for ''Phragmites'' control are glyphosate and imazapyr (Hazelton ''et al''. 2014).<ref name=Lakerest>{{Cite web|title=Phragmites Control: Easily Kill Phragmites in your Pond or Lake|url=https://www.lakerestoration.com/t-phragmites-control.aspx|access-date=2021-05-28|website=www.lakerestoration.com}}</ref> It is important to select the proper herbicide for the location. Further, even the proper herbicide can lead to [[unintended consequences]] since a large amount of decaying dead plant material can depress oxygen levels in the water and kill all the fish in a pond or small lake. Some success has also been obtained using goats to graze on ''Phragmites'',<ref name=Guardian>{{Cite web|last=Network|first=Crystal Gammon for Yale Environment 360, part of The Guardian Environment|date=2014-10-22|title=Are goats the answer to the reed choking US east coast marshes?|url=http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/oct/22/are-goats-the-answer-to-the-reed-choking-us-east-coast-marshes|access-date=2021-05-28|website=The Guardian|language=en}}</ref> controlled burns, and native wild rice crops.<ref name=WGRT>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-05|title=Welcome Surprise: Wild Rice Seems to Deter Phragmites on Harsens Island|url=https://wgrt.com/welcome-surprise-wild-rice-seems-to-deter-phragmites-on-harsens-island/|access-date=2021-05-28|website=WGRT|language=en-US}}</ref>. Biological controls have been suggested to be the most likely control method to succeed and biocontrols have been approved for introduction in North America <ref name=Blossey>{{cite journal |display-authors=et al |authors=Blossey, B., Endriss, S.B., Casagrande, R. |date=2020 |title=When misconceptions impede best practices: evidence supports biological control of invasive ''Phragmites'' |journal=Biological Invasions |volume=22 |pages=873–883 |doi=10.1007/s10530-019-02166-8 }}</ref> Unfortunately, biocontrols may destroy the native subspecies population as well.{{citation needed|date=April 2023}} When cutting under water, cutting and then flooding, or burning and then flooding, it is important that the entire ''Phragmites'' stand is completely submerged so that the plants cannot obtain oxygen.<ref name=GLPC/>