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Image of invasive species of phragmites

In the fall of 2024 Township staff are cooperating with neighbouring municipalities to identify and map the locations of invasive phragmites. This is a first step in developing a regional approach to a management program for invasive phragmites.

What are phragmites?

Phragmites are tall plants with a dense stalk and a feathery seedhead that typically grow in damp areas, like marshes, beaches, and drainage ditches. While some phragmites species are native to our area, non-native species have also been spreading throughout Ontario over the past several decades. Invasive species have very long roots, allowing them to spread into drier areas as well.

Why are invasive phragmites a problem?

As non-native species of phragmites grow, the stalks grow very close to each other. This makes it difficult for marsh wildlife, like turtles and frogs, to move around in the water at the base of the plants, pushing them out of the areas they usually live. They’re not also a good food supply for wildlife.

Invasive phragmites also emit a toxin through their root system. The toxin stops other native plants from growing, allowing the invasive species to become the only plant growing in the area. When only one plant can grow, the area loses the biodiversity important in an ecosystem.

How will we deal with invasive phragmites?

First, we need to get an idea of where invasive phragmites are in our municipality and in the region. Cataraqui Conservation is coordinating a team of municipal partners to identify and map areas of invasive phragmites.

Loyalist Township’s participation in the first step consists of an in-kind donation of staff time, which will be spent finding and mapping the areas using an app provided by the conservation authority. The donation will equal about two weeks of staff time, spread throughout September and October.

Once the team has a good understanding of how big the problem is, they will start to work on a plan to manage and control invasive phragmites.

Want more information?

Visit the Government of Ontario’s Phragmites fact sheet for info on how to identify invasive species and what you can do to help prevent their spread.