This month the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, in conjunction with partners Friends of Scarborough Marsh, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Gulf of Maine Program, USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, Ducks Unlimited, and Maine Audubon will resume efforts to remove the invasive reed Phragmites australis from certain areas of Scarborough Marsh.
Phragmites is a perennial and aggressive wetland grass that grows over 10 feet tall and is easily recognized by its height and fluffy seed heads. Phragmites have very little value to the diverse populations of wildlife in the marsh. Their thick growth and rapid spread choke out valuable plants and reduce the biodiversity of the marsh's delicate and highly- valued ecosystem. This type of Phragmites is not native to this area, and it has significantly compromised wetlands up and down the east coast. The weeds aggressively spread and colonize new areas every year and are very difficult to eradicate. Work will resume in mid-September as part of a 3-year mitigation program under the watchful eyes of the partners and other natural resource management agencies.
Officials are hoping to achieve a 95% or greater elimination rate in the target areas. For more information on this project, contact Scott Lindsay at the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife at 657-2345, ext. 110.
Officials are hoping to achieve a 95% or greater elimination rate in the target areas. For more information on this project, contact Scott Lindsay at the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife at 657-2345, ext. 110.
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