Educators

The Invasive Species Management Case Study

Moths, goats and herbicide: What tools can protect wetlands from invasive phragmites?

Grade level : Grade 9 and up

The St Lawrence-Great Lakes Region, located in southern Ontario, Québec, and eight American States, is one of the largest watersheds in the world. II contains one-fifth of the world’s freshwater, supporting millions of people and thousands of native plant and animal species.

The invasive grass Phragmites australis (common reed), which has no natural predators in North America, has spread quickly in Ontario and Quebec. With reeds growing up to six metres tall, dense stands of phragmites reduce space for habitat, impede native vegetation growth, and lower biodiversity and food supply in wetlands. Recreation and
agriculture are also impacted: phragmites can absorb water from irrigation systems, dry out and become a fire hazard, obscure the sightline of drivers and block access to
shorelines.

In this case study, students explore invasive phragmites as an example of a real-life conservation challenge. They will learn about biodiversity, wetland environments and the impacts of invasive species. For simplicity, students focus on proposing a tool or set of tools to manage invasive phragmites, incorporating their research on a variety of possible management techniques. This activity can be adapted for different classes, including environmental studies, environmental science, geography, civics and social studies.

Student – Invasive Species Management Case Study

Teacher – Invasive Species Management Case Guide