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Mapping and Monitoring Project Phragmites australis

Project Need: Research, map, and monitor the colonization of Phragmities australis in the marshes of Kitty Hawk Woods, a North Carolina Coastal Research Reserve.

Project Objective:

  • Map Phragmities australis in the Kitty Hawk Woods marshes using Trimble GeoExplorer GPS and aerial photography (scale 1:800).
  • Survey native plant species in the marsh throughout the four seasons.

Research Team:

ECSU - Project Leader: Heather Allen, Research Assistants: Emma Sawyer, Matt Woolard, Reginald Bazemore

North Carolina Estuarine Research - Michelle Droszcz, Northern Sites Manager, Kyle Hall - Research Technician

Milestones:

Mapping marshes of Kitty Hawk Woods began in the spring 2003.
Completion report and PowerPoint presentation September 2003.
Restoration project began October 2003.

Background:

Phragmites australis, also known as common reed, is an invasive marsh grass that thrives in disturbed or polluted soils along roadsides, ditches and dredged areas. It can range in height from three to thirteen feet, and forms dense stands that invade wetland communities. P. australis provides little food or shelter for wildlife and fish, and prevents native plant species, such as Spartina cynosuroides, to develop.

Materials and Methods:

  • Tarkle Creek Marsh (15 ACRES) was surveyed and native species identified and catalogued. Very little P. australis was present there.
  • Significant patches of Phragmites were identified and mapped using GPS in Kitty Hawk Landing Marsh, a 90 acre marsh to the north of Tarkle Creek.
  • The restoration project will set up six plots at the northwest section of the marsh, which had a significant number of Phragmities.
  • Rebar was placed around each patch of Phragmites.
    In each plot a different method of removing the marsh grass was used.
  • The latitude and longitude coordinates of the individual patches were mapped using a Trimble GeoExplorer 3.
  • A sign was posted informing the residents of Kitty Hawk Landing about Phragmites and the removal methods used.

Results:

After a year has passed, the most effective removal method will be used to remove Phragmites in the rest of the Kitty Hawk Landing Marsh. Native marsh plants will be planted and the ninety-acre marsh will be monitored to see if the Phragmites grows back and how well the native plants compete with the invasive marsh grasses.

Acknowledgements:

Funding for these projects: NOAA's Environmental Entrepreneurship Program, Albermale Pamlico National Estuarine Program, and the North Carolina Division of Coastal Management.