Reed management and the role of prescribed burn, Part 1

European Wilderness Society is a part of the ALFAwetlands Horizon research project and is coordinating activities of the Austrian-Hungarian Living Lab. One of the topics to be discovered there is Reed management.

As an extensive experience of reed management by using prescribed burn in United States exist, we are discovering this topic.

Wetlands across the United States face a growing challenge from invasive reed species such as Phragmites australis (common reed) and Arundo donax (giant reed). These species threaten biodiversity by outcompeting native plants, altering water flow, and disrupting habitats for wildlife. However, innovative land management strategies, particularly the use of prescribed fires, offer promising solutions for restoring these delicate ecosystems. Fire management, when applied correctly, can significantly improve the health of wetlands, benefiting both native plant species and the wildlife that depend on them.

Please also read: Living Laboratories

Fire management in wetlands

The practice of using fire to manage reed beds is not new. Prescribed burning, or “controlled burns,” has been utilized in various wetland ecosystems to manage invasive species, maintain biodiversity, and restore hydrological functions. Several notable wetland areas in the U.S. have adopted fire management as a key tool in their ecological restoration efforts.

1. Everglades National Park, Florida

The Everglades, a UNESCO World Heritage site, has a long history of utilizing prescribed fire as part of the broader Everglades Restoration Program. These controlled burns are vital for managing reed beds and reducing the dominance of invasive species like Phragmites australis. Fire helps rejuvenate native plant species, providing critical habitats for birds, alligators, and other wildlife. The park’s prescribed burn program is one of the largest in the U.S., covering more than 100,000 acres annually. These efforts aim to restore the park’s natural hydrology and vegetation, essential for the region’s ecological balance.

2. San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, California

In California, the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge employs prescribed burns to maintain the health of marshes and wetland habitats, including reed beds. Invasive Phragmites is a significant concern, and fire management practices help reduce its spread. By removing excess vegetation and allowing native species to thrive, prescribed burns support migratory bird populations and other wetland-dependent wildlife.

3. Great Salt Lake Wetlands, Utah

Prescribed burning in the Great Salt Lake Wetlands is used to control reed beds and manage invasive plant species. These controlled fires are part of a larger effort to preserve bird habitats and maintain the integrity of saltwater marshes. By reducing invasive plant cover and promoting native vegetation, fire management plays a key role in wetland restoration in the region.

4. Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Missouri

The Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge in northern Missouri also integrates prescribed burning into its wetland management practices. These fires help manage reed beds, promoting the growth of native species and supporting local biodiversity. Prescribed burns are crucial for controlling invasive species and ensuring the long-term health of wetland ecosystems in the refuge.

Benefits of prescribed fire in reed management

The use of fire in wetland management offers numerous ecological benefits, particularly when managing invasive reed species. We will explore them further in the second part of our publication.