Biology, Management and Utilization of Common Reed Pharagnites australis.
Abstract
The common reed, Pharagmites australis (Cav.) Trin. is a helophytic grass having a world-wide distribution. It generally inhabits wetlands, where under the proper conditions it may flourish and become the dominant plant species. Its survival and reproduction strategies make it also one of the first invaders in newly reclaimed wetlands as dredged material disposal sites or new-born polders. Reeds dominate a wetland only after a disturbance such as drainage or pollution. The common reed is able to withstand extremes of environmental conditions, including the presence of toxic contaminants. Phragmites australis is the dominant plant species on most Corps of Engineers (CE) dredged material disposal sites, particularly on the wetland-creation and confined upland disposal sites containing contaminated dredged materials. The objectives of this report are to revise and evaluate the literature pertaining to Phragmites australis with respect to its potenial use in vegetating highly-contaminated dredged material and to provide CE Districts with guidelines forthe establishment, maintenance and management of P. australis on dredged material disposal sites. Besides general biology emphasis will be placed upon: Invasion into dredged material disposal sites; Contaminant uptake and translocation; Utilization; and Management and control.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA178333
Entities
People
- John W. Simmers
- Madelijn Van Der Werff
- Stratford H. Kay
Organizations
- Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam