Charles River Watershed Association: Invaders in the Charles: Phragmites

Friday, November 30, 2012

Invaders in the Charles: Phragmites

Ever boated down the Charles, or kayaked, or just walked along the riverside, and seen forests of very, very tall grasses, like the one pictured above? These reeds are called phragmites, and they are an invasive species in the Charles River.

Even though they can be pretty at times, they are no good for the Charles!
Photo from here.

Phragmites grow to large heights, anywhere from 6-19ft, depending on the environment. They can also grow very rapidly, spreading at rates around 16ft/year, and sometimes even faster than that! They love water, and can withstand frequent, longstanding floods as well as dry periods. Because they are so tolerant to conditions such as these, and they grow so quickly and densely, they outcompete native species in the Charles River and cause a lot of problems. In some areas of the watershed, the removal of these reeds is undertaken to help restore the river to its natural state. One such area is along the Muddy River, a tributary to the Charles in the Back Bay area of Boston.

So now you know, these phragmites are actually an invasive species in the Charles River.

Until next time,

Meghan

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Welcome to the Charles River Watershed Association's Intern Blog

CRWA's mission is to use science, advocacy and the law to protect, preserve and enhance the Charles River and its watershed.

One of the country's oldest watershed organizations, Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) was formed in 1965 in response to public concern about the declining condition of the Charles. Since its earliest days of advocacy, CRWA has figured prominently in major clean-up and watershed protection efforts, working with government officials and citizen groups from 35 Massachusetts watershed towns from Hopkinton to Boston. Initiatives over the last four decades have dramatically improved the quality of water in the watershed and fundamentally changed approaches to water resource management.

While CRWA’s mission focuses on the Charles River, the implications and applicability of our science-based work go far beyond the watershed’s boundaries. Much of CRWA’s work is cutting edge and therein lies our unique strength and effectiveness: we use our scientific knowledge of the Charles to develop innovative, workable solutions to watershed problems. This knowledge allows CRWA not only to advocate persuasively for outcomes, but also to partner with government agencies and other environmental groups to protect the natural environment and to promote sustainable ecosystem policies and practices.