A review of the ecological effects of European Common Reed (Phragmites australis) on fishes and fish habitat in North America
The invasive European Common Reed (Phragmites australis), first established in North America in the early 1900’s, is now a dominant emergent aquatic plant in many coastal and inland wetlands. A review of the literature was conducted to evaluate the extent of ecological impacts on fishes and their habitat, such as changes in the composition and abundance of native fishes and wetland plants, and alterations to water availability and substrate. The review indicated that a reduction in the abundance of native fishes was common (54.54% of studies), as were impacts to fish habitat (e.g., 54.54% of studies documented a change in wetland plant composition). Many studies were conducted in the eastern and northern United States, which showed that the abundance of juvenile and larval fishes was significantly lower in marshes dominated by P. australis, relative to those dominated by native plant species (Spartina alterniflora); however, changes to wetland plant abundance and composition, water availability, water temperature, nutrient cycling, substrate, reproduction and spawning, genetics of native fishes, and general food web effects were also observed. These results indicate that P. australis poses numerous ecological impacts to the structure and function of wetland habitats, with implications for the ongoing productivity of aquatic ecosystems.
Smith, K. et al. Reducing the Risks of Wildlife Trade. Science Magazine [online] 2009, 324, 594-595 http://www.ogrod.uw.edu.pl/__data/assets/pdf_file/0013/2155/1b.pdf (Accessed June 20, 2017)
Ricciardi, A. MacIsaac, H. Recent mass invasion of the North American Great Lakes by Ponto–Caspian species. Tree [online] 2000, 15, 62-65 https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Anthony_Ricciardi/publication/250923455_Recent_mass_invasion_of_the_North_American_Great_Lake_by_Ponto-Caspian_species/links/00b4951ee1552ed0fa000000/Recent-mass-invasion-of-the-North-American-Great-Lake-by-Ponto-Caspian-species.pdf (Accessed July 6, 2017)
Christie, G. Goddard, C. Sea Lamprey International Symposium (SLIS II): Advances in the Integrated Management of Sea Lamprey in the Great Lakes. Journal of Great Lakes Research [online] 2003, 29, 1-14. http://www.reabic.net/publ/Christie_et%20al_2003_Petromyzon%20marinus.pdf (Accessed April 8, 2017)
Lavrentyev, P. et al. Effects of the Zebra Mussel (Dreissena polymorpha Pallas) on Protozoa and Phytoplankton from Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron. Journal of Great Lakes Research [online] 1995, 21, 545-557. https://www.glerl.noaa.gov/pubs/fulltext/1995/19950015.pdf (Accessed April 7, 2017)
Chotkowski, M. Marsden, J. Round Goby and Mottled Sculpin Predation on Lake Trout Eggs and Fry: Field Predictions from Laboratory Experiments. Journal of Great Lakes Research [online] 1999, 25, 26-35. http://www.reabic.net/publ/Chotkowski_et%20al_1999_Neogobius%20melanostomus.pdf (Accessed April 8, 2017)
Leung, B. et al. An Ounce of Prevention or a Pound of Cure: Bioeconomic Risk Analysis of Invasive Species. The Royal Society [online] 2002, 269, 2407-2413. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1691180/pdf/12495482.pdf (Accessed April 8, 2017)
Wilcox, K. et al. Historical Distribution and Abundance of Phragmites australis at Long Point, Lake Erie, Ontario. Journal of Great Lakes Research [online] 2003, 29, 664-680. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Scott_Petrie/publication/228435384_Historical_Distribution_and_Abundance_of_Phragmites_australis_at_Long_Point_Lake_Erie_Ontario/links/00b7d5273d5236e9a3000000/Historical-Distribution-and-Abundance-of-Phragmites-australis-at-Long-Point-Lake-Erie-Ontario.pdf (Accessed April 8, 2017)
Able, K. Hagan, S. Impact of Common Reed Phragmites australis, on Essential Fish Habitat: Influence on Reproduction, Embryological Development, and Larval Abundance of Mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus). Estuaries [online] 2003, 26, 40-50. https://marine.rutgers.edu/pubs/private/141.pdf (Accessed April 4, 2017)
Raichel, D. Able, K. Hartman, J. The Influence of Phragmites (Common Reed) on the Distribution, Abundance, and Potential Prey of a Resident Marsh Fish in the Hackensack Meadowlands, New Jersey. Estuaries [online] 2003, 26, 511-521. https://marine.rutgers.edu/pubs/private/151.pdf (Accessed April 5, 2017)
Warren, R. et al. Rates, Patterns, and Impacts of Phragmites australis Expansion and Effects of Experimental Phragmites Control on Vegetation, Macroinvertebrates, and Fish Within Tidelands of the Lower Connecticut River. Estuaries [online] 2001, 24, 90-107. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/R_Warren/publication/251355678_Rates_Patterns_and_Impacts_of_Phragmites_australis_Expansion_and_Effects_of_Experimental_Phragmites_Control_on_Vegetation_Macroinvertebrates_and_Fish_within_Tidelands_of_the_Lower_Connecticut_River/links/53ebd0c90cf250c8947c7619.pdf (Accessed April 5, 2017)
Able, K. Hagan, S. Brown, S. Mechanisms of Marsh Habitat Alteration Due to Phragmites: Response of Young-of-the-year Mummichog (Fundulus herteroclitus) to Treatment for Phragmites Removal. Estuaries [online] 2003, 26, 484-494. https://marine.rutgers.edu/pubs/private/149.pdf (Accessed April 5, 2017)
Weinstein, M. Litvin, S. Guida, V. Essential Fish Habitat and Wetland Restoration Success: A Tier III Approach to the Biochemical Condition of Common Mummichog Fundulus herteroclitus in Common Reed Phragmites australis- and Smooth Cordgrass Spartina alterniflora- Dominated Salt Marshes. Estuaries [online] 2009. http://www.montclair.edu/profilepages/media/1992/user/FundulusTierIII.pdf (Accessed April 5, 2017)
Kiviat, E. Ecosystem services of Phragmites in North America with emphasis on habitat functions. AoB Plant [online] 2013, 5. https://academic.oup.com/aobpla/article/doi/10.1093/aobpla/plt008/160281/Ecosystem-services-of-Phragmites-in-North-America (Accessed April 5, 2017)
Fell, P. et al. Comparison of Fish and Macroinvertebrate Use of Typha angustifolia, Phragmites australis, and Treated Phragmites Marshes along the Lower Connecticut River. Estuaries [online] 2003, 26, 534-551. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/R_Warren/publication/248117313_Comparison_of_fish_and_macroinvertebrate_use_of_Typha_angustifolia_Phragmites_australis_and_treated_Phragmites_marshes_along_the_lower_Connecticut_River/links/53ebd08f0cf24f241f1534c6.pdf (Accessed April 5, 2017)
Weinstein, M. Balletto, J. Does the Common Reed, Phragmites australis, Affect Essential Fish Habitat?. Estuaries [online] 1999, 22, 793-802. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Michael_Weinstein7/publication/225637146_Does_the_Common_Reed_Phragmites_australis_Affect_Essential_Fish_Habitat/links/545b6db70cf28779a4dd3ec3.pdf (Accessed April 5, 2017)
Hagan, S. Brown, S. Able, K. Production of Mummichog (Fundulus hereroclitus): Response in Marshes Treated for Common Reed (Phragmites australis) Removal. Wetlands [online] 2007, 27, 54-67. https://marine.rutgers.edu/pubs/private/182.pdf (Accessed April 5, 2017)
Fritz, E. Garside, E. Comparison of age composition, growth, and fecundity between two populations each of Fundulus heteroclitus and F. diaphanus (Pisces: Cyprinodontidae). Canadian Journal of Zoology [online] 1975, 53(4), 361-369. http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z75-047 (Accessed June 20, 2017)
Welsh, D. et al. The effects of age, sex, and habitat on body size and shape of the blackstripe topminnow, Fundulus notatus, (Cyprinodontiformes: Fundulidae)(Rafinesque 1820). Biological Journal of the Linnean Society [online] 2013, 108(4), 784-789. https://academic.oup.com/biolinnean/article/108/4/784/2415769 (Accessed June 20, 2017)
Lane, J. Portt, C. Minns, C. Nursery Habitat Characteristics of Great Lakes Fishes. Canadian Manuscript Report of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences [online] 1996, 2338. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Charles_Minns/publication/253563110_Nursery_Habitat_Characteristics_of_Great_Lakes_Fishes/links/00b4952a9d8d441392000000.pdf (Accessed June 20, 2017)
Aday, D. The Presence of and Invasive Macrophyte (Phragmites australis) Does not Influence Juvenile Fish Habitat Use in a Freshwater Estuary. Journal of Freshwater Ecology [online] 2007, 22, 535-537. http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/02705060.2007.9664185 (Accessed April 5, 2017)
Amsberry, L. et al. Clonal Integration and the Expansion of Phragmites australis. Ecological Applications [online] 2000, 10(4), 1110-1118. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mark_Bertness/publication/240777645_Clonal_Integration_and_the_Expansion_of_Phragmites_australis/links/5534dde30cf2df9ea6a3ebfc.pdf (Accessed May 3, 2017)
Angradi, T. Hagan, S. Able, K. Vegetation Type and the Intertidal Macroinvertebrate Fauna of a Brackish Marsh: Phragmites vs. Spartina. Wetlands [online] 2001, 21, 75-92. https://marine.rutgers.edu/pubs/private/117.pdf (Accessed April 5, 2017)
Bonanno, G. Giudice, R. Heavy metal bioaccumulation by the organs of Phragmites australis (common reed) and their potential use as contamination indicators. Ecological Indicators [online] 2009, 10, 639-645. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Giuseppe_Bonanno/publication/248412865_Heavy_Metal_Bioaccumulation_by_the_Organs_of_Phragmites_Australis_Common_Reed_and_Their_Potential_Use_as_Contamination_Indicators/links/550a68cd0cf26198a63ab17d.pdf (Accessed May 3, 2017)
Chambers, R. et al. Phragmites australis Invasion and Expansion in Tidal Wetlands: Interactions among Salinity, Sulfide, and Hydrology. Estuaries [online] 2003, 26, 398-406. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/David_Osgood2/publication/225528969_Phragmites_australis_invasion_and_expansion_in_tidal_wetlands_Interactions_among_salinity_sulfide_and_hydrology/links/56e9a0cb08ae3a5b48cc82db.pdf (Accesed May 3, 2017)
Chambers, R. Meyerson, L. Saltonstall, K. Expansion of Phragmites australis into tidal wetlands of North America. Aquatic Botany [online] 1999, 64, 261-273. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Laura_Meyerson/publication/222445868_Expansion_of_Phragmites_australis_into_tidal_wetlands_of_North_America/links/0912f50bfad0e7063e000000/Expansion-of-Phragmites-australis-into-tidal-wetlands-of-North-America.pdf (Accessed April 5, 2017)
Gratton, C. Denno, R. Restoration of Arthropod Assemblages in a Spartina Salt Marsh following Removal of the Invasive Plant Phragmites australis. Restoration Ecology [online] 2005, 13(2), 358-372. http://144.92.199.81/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/16.-Gratton-and-Denno-2005-Restoration-Ecology-Arthropod-FW-in-invaded-wetlands.pdf (Accessed May 3, 2017)
Hanson, S. Osgood, D. Yozzo D. Nekton Use of a Phragmites australis Marsh on the Hudson River, New York, USA. Wetlands [online] 2002, 22, 326-337. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/David_Yozzo/publication/225586716_Nekton_use_of_a_Phragmites_australis_marsh_on_the_Hudson_River_New_York_USA/links/57bc7fb908ae3fbb8643ff56.pdf (Accessed May 3, 2017)
Posey, M. et al. Benthic communities of common reed Phragmites australis and marsh cordgrass Spartina alterniflora marshes in Chesapeake Bay. Marine Ecology Progress Series [online] 2003, 261, 51-61. http://www.int-res.com/articles/meps2003/261/m261p051.pdf (Accessed May 3, 2017)
Vasquez, E. et al. Salt tolerance underlies the cryptic invasion of North American salt marshes by an introduced haplotype of the common reed Phragmites australis (Poaceae). Marine Ecology Progress Series [online] 2005, 298, 1-8. http://www.int-res.com/articles/feature/m298p001.pdf (Accessed May 3, 2017)
Wainwright, S. et al. Relative importance of benthic microalgae, phytoplankton and the detritus of smooth cordgrass Spartina alterniflora and the common reed Phragmites australis to brackish-marsh food webs. Marine Ecology Progress Series [online] 2000, 200, 77-91. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Michael_Weinstein7/publication/240809113_Relative_importance_of_benthic_microalgae_phytoplankton_and_the_detritus_of_smooth_cordgrass_Spartina_alterniflora_and_the_common_reed_Phragmites_australis_to_brackish-marsh_food_webs/links/54e4f5a40cf22703d5bfe8f1/Relative-importance-of-benthic-microalgae-phytoplankton-and-the-detritus-of-smooth-cordgrass-Spartina-alterniflora-and-the-common-reed-Phragmites-australis-to-brackish-marsh-food-webs.pdf (Accessed May 2, 2017)
Weis, J. Weis, P. Is the invasion of the common reed, Phragmites australis, into tidal marshes of the eastern US an ecological disaster?. Marine Pollution Bulletin [online] 2003, 46, 816-820. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Judith_Weis/publication/10682051_Is_the_invasion_of_the_common_reed_Phragmites_australis_into_tidal_marshes_of_the_eastern_US_an_ecological_disaster/links/5535acc40cf268fd0015e35a.pdf (Accessed April 5, 2017)