08/28/2006 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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• Degraded Wet Meadow • Areas defined as degraded wet meadow are dominated by greater than 90% cover of reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea) and have poor native floristic diversity. Reed canary grass is an invasive wetland grass, and is the primary problematic invasive species within all of the wetlands (and adjacent upland transitions) of the site. Management efforts will require reducing overall cover by reed canary grass, re- seeding and establishment of appropriate native species assemblages, and reintroduction of fire. Areas currently classified as degraded wet meadow will be restored a more species rich and higher quality wet meadow and/or shallow marsh. Degraded Shrub Swamps The shrub swamp communities are dominated by greater than 90% cover of reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea) along with having significant cover by pussy willow (Salix discolor) and red -osier dogwood (Cornus stolonifera). The restoration and management approach for the degraded shrub swamps will be similar for that of the site's wet meadows: reduction of overall cover and abundance of reed canary grass, establishment of native herbaceous species, reintroduction of fire, and thinning of native shrub species. Degraded Emergent (Cattail) Marsh The cattail marshes located in the southern and northeastern portions are of the property are degraded, dominated by greater than 90% cover of invasive cattail (Typha angustifolia and T x glauca). Management efforts will focus on reducing the cover of cattail, removing cattail biomass, restoring native vegetation, and reintroduction of fire (during dry years). This area will be re- vegetated with mixed emergent marsh species. Cattails are often a problematic wetland species within degraded wetlands of central Minnesota, and should be aggressively managed as to favor conditions favorable to the establishment of more diverse native wetland plant communities. Narrow- Leaved Cattail (Typha angustifolia) is a non - native, invasive plant that hybridizes with the native Broad - Leaved Cattail (T latifolia) to produce the invasive Typha x glauca. Aspen Woodlands and Transitions Most of the wetlands on the site are encompassed by relatively dense, immature stands of Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides) along the wetland/upland transitional zones. As is the case with The Preserve site, aspen stands frequently establish along wetland fringes on the Anoka Sand Plain in the absence of fire, and form dense, shaded, species -poor stands. In the absence of past management, these aspen stands of The Preserve site are further degraded by Reed Canary Grass ( Phalaris arundinacea), Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica), Glossy Buckthorn ( Rhamnus frangula), and other noxious or aggressive weed species. The aspen woodland fringes of The Preserve site are comprised (most often) of single- species canopies of 2 to 12 inch diameter aspen, with Reed Canary Grass, Sensitive Fern (Onoclea sensibilis), and Pennsylvania Sedge (Carex pensylvanica) common to the ground layer. CCES recommends that at least some of these Aspen dominated wetland fringes be selectively thinned or completely cleared of Quaking Aspen, as to promote the re- establishment and management of more diverse herbaceous communities, such as mesic /wet prairie, and wet meadow natural The Preserve Conservation Development - Restoration and Management Plan 10