Ducks Unlimited has received a grant form the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Aquatic Invasive Species Eradication Grant Program. The grant will work together with the Post-Morrow Foundation as well as other landowners along Beaver Dam Creek to remove Phragmites and restore the tidal wetlands to their natural state.
"Phragmites australis has become extremely widespread and problematic on Long Island over the last several decades. As stated in the NYS Invasive Species task Force Report (August 2005), 'It is probably the most harmful invasive species in the marine district.' Its presence and characteristics along the Beaver Dam Creek are reflective of its widespread abundance along almost all tributaries to the South Shore Estuary Reserve. Most significantly, dense monotypic stands of Phragmites australis displace native wetland communities including body plant and resultant animal species When this occurs; critical wetland functions including wildlife habitat, nursery grounds for finfish and shellfish, storm water storage capacity, water quality issues, and recreational and aesthetic values are all but lost The degraded condition of the proposed treatment site stands in stark contrast to how these tidal marshes looked and functioned in their natural state."
(Taken from the grant application, Ducks Unlimited, February 28, 2006) |
As readers of this newsletter know, the Foundation has worked extensively over the past 10 years to improve the degraded wetlands along Beaver Dam Creek. Most recently, together with the Long Island wetlands initiative, the Foundation restored approximately 8 acres at the end of Clover Lane along the Creek by removing extensive dredge spoil and Phragmites and planting Spartina alterniflora and Spartina patens the native species that have been displaced by the Phragmites.
A scene along Beaver Dam Creek showing the impact of Phragmites that has eliminated a healthy wetland area along the shores of the Creek.
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