These dominant species prevent a diverse native plant community from flourishing.

1.  Hybrid cattail: Today most of the marsh (shallow water with emergent vegetation) area is dominated by hybrid cattail (Gibson, et. al., 1998, p. 8).  The Biology Core Curriculum (Biocore) classes have estimated that over 90% of marsh plants are cattails in many areas of the Class of 1918 Marsh (Ann Burgess, pers. comm., 2002). The hybrid cattail cross between Narrowleaf and Broadleaf Cattail has a very dense growth pattern that prevents many other marsh plants from growing.   The lack of diversity of food plants and the crowded growing pattern of the cattails discourages some marsh mammals and birds from living in a hybrid cattail marsh. 

2.  Reed Canary Grass:  Much of the upland area and part of the shallow water is dominated by Reed Canary Grass.  Like hybrid cattail, its dense growth pattern and aggressive nature prevents other plants from growing.   Again, only a few mammals and other animals reside in monocultures of this species. 

3.  Other Non-native Invasive Species:  The upland area of the Class of 1918 Marsh also has problems with a variety of other invasive species including Garlic Mustard, Leafy Spurge, Crown Vetch, Wild Parsnip and Thistle.  Although these species are not spreading aggressively, they have made it difficult to reestablish prairie and forced managers to mow next to the Marsh, limiting animal habitat and preventing the scattered remaining prairie plants from seeding.

4.  Woody Invasive Species:  In some parts of the upland area around the Marsh non-native Buckthorn and Honeysuckle have taken over.  While the flood of 2000 killed some of these woody plants, in other areas these plants are aggressively taking over.  These plants will prevent the establishment of prairie plants.  In addition, waterfowl require clear takeoff and landing areas and will cease to use the Marsh if the area becomes too overgrown.  

Possible Solutions

Goals:

1.  Increase the diversity of native wetland plants.

2.  Increase the diversity of native upland plants.

3.  Remove invasive species in the wetland and upland areas.

4.  Limit the number and type of woody species in the upland area to encourage waterfowl use of the marsh.  Leave some of the willows and other native species to allow some breeding bird diversity.

Standard Solutions:

1.  Improve water quality to encourage a more diverse group of native wetland species to grow.  While some native wetland species do not tolerate high levels of fertilizer, both hybrid cattail and Reed Canary Grass flourish in very fertile waters.  Eutrophic marsh edges are often dominated by cattail and Reed Canary Grass.

       For more information on improving water quality, follow this link:

• Pollution Sources and Possible Solutions

2.  Remove ALL non-native upland invasive species including Honeysuckle and Buckthorn with the best available methods.  Be consistent and persistent.  Some of these species have been present since the early 1970s.

3.  As soon as possible replace the non-native upland invasive species with native prairie species and a few native shrubs. Due to the small size of the area and the high level of competition from Reed Canary and non-native invasive species, treat the area like a garden.  Plant plants rather than broadcast seeds.  Weed and water the plants.  Control aggressive competitors like Reed Canary Grass and Leafy Spurge.

4.  Do not disturb the land southeast of the Marsh (currently used for mid-winter snow storage) until fall.  By that time, the vegetation will have seeded and all birds, mammals, and insects will have bred.  Transplant the native plants to an appropriate area of the Marsh.

5.  Remove excess trees, including Box Elder and Black Locust.  Leave the big willows, but control a portion of the small willows to keep them from taking over the entire area. 

Additional Possible Solutions:

1.  Experiment with ways to control cattails. (Students from the Department of Landscape Architecture's Restoration Ecology class have been planning and carrying out research on ways to increase the biological diversity of the marsh.  Parts of the marsh were burned in the spring of 2000 to determine whether eliminating some of the cattails and letting in sunlight would allow other species to grow.   Regrettably, the extremely high water levels and flooding during the summer of 2000 ruined the experiment.  The burning and flooding of 2000 opened up the cattails temporarily but failed to permanently thin the cattail mat.  By September 2000 the cattails were as thick and dominant as before (Ann Burgess, personal communication, 2002)).  Use research results from the Arboretum and other areas where they are experimenting with hybrid cattail control.  Try to thin cattails in some sections of the Marsh so that other plants will grow.

A controlled burn the Class of 1918 Marsh to control cattails in 2000.  Unfortunately, this burn failed to have a lasting effect on cattail density. Stand of hybrid cattail on Willow Drive side of Class of 1918 Marsh a few days before the 2000 burn. Burned cattails after March 29, 2000, Class of 1918 Marsh burn (Willow Drive end).

2.  Plant other wetland and upland plants that provide food and shelter for birds and mammals and increase Marsh plant diversity.

3.  To the degree possible without eliminating all animal habitat, try to eliminate Reed Canary Grass and replace it with a diverse set of native plants.  Use research information obtained from the Arboretum and at other research institutions.

4.  To the extent possible, increase the total area of native plants beyond the path.  This will create an additional buffer zone to control runoff and will decrease the number of aggressive plants that invade the prairie strip.  In addition, native plants provide opportunities for study and provide animals with food and shelter while lawn grass does not.   It has been suggested that prairie plants could be planted around the parking lot to greatly increase the amount of prairie.  Because the mid-winter snow storage area is used only for winter storage, restoring this area to native plants would improve water quality, decrease dust, provide visual interest, and increase wildlife habitat.
 

Sources:

Gibson, S., B. Krause, C. Leinss. R. Michels, T. Reese, and L. Zelewski.  1998.  Class of 1918 Marsh:  Restoration and Management Plan.  University of Wisconsin – Madison. Group Project.

back to Marsh Problems and Solutions page