Hybrid Cattail Reduction Effort

Similar to many wetland habitats throughout Minnesota, the majority of wetlands within Glacial Ridge NWR have become cattail-dominated and contain minimal open water habitat or other emergent vegetation. Hydrid cattail monocultures provide very little wildlife habitat value and lead to increased levels of sediment and phosphorus accumulation within a wetland basin. Both hybrid and non-native (narrow-leaf)cattails can tolerate a wider range of environmental conditions than native (broadleaf)cattail, thereby exacerbating management issues with this highly invasive hydrophyte. Water level management is no longer a viable option for cattail reduction in most prairie wetlands. Presently, hybrid cattail expansion in both natural and restored wetlands is THE primary wetland habitat management issue at Glacial Ridge NWR. Reducing cattail coverage in semipermanent (and to a lesser extent seasonal) wetlands to provide a 50:50 ratio of emergent vegetation to open water will create optimal habitat for the greatest diversity of migratory birds that use the Refuge. More than 1,500 acres of cattail-dominated habitat occur within wetlands that exhibit a seasonal and/or semipermanent hydroperiod and will serve as ideal sites for cattail reduction efforts on the Refuge.