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Phragmites is everywhere in Essex County. You see it along the rivers, in parks, and even one the top of Malden Park. It is a thick, dense weed bank that out competes all other native plants in suitable areas. Just look along the banks of any of our inland waterways, and you will see Phrag dominating the ecosystem.
Phragmites destroys habitat for native Flora and fauna, and its rapid water transpiration helps to dry out creeks, ponds and waterways that might already be vulnerable to drought stress. As Phragmites spreads, it rapidly displaces species like cattails, wild rice and native orchids, and forms extensive monocultures. Growing so quickly, it swamp-ifies (marsh accretion) existing wetlands and waterways, further hurting aquatic and amphibious species.
In other words, Phragmites australis is an environmental tragedy.
Fish cannot survive. Birds cannot nest. It is a terrible, terrible ecological problem facing Southwestern Ontario waterways.
Phragmites can be controlled, but it takes work. We are fighting an invasive species that spreads, and thickens, and spreads. Nothing eats it. There are no funguses or parasites or insects that weaken or control it. It is as malignant a force in our watersheds as you can imagine.
It takes work. Our Phragmites Crews make use of mowers, forestry saws, strategic burning, chemical control and cover planting in order to control, reduce, and eventually eliminate Phragmites in our little piece of the world.
