This
summer, the Neponset River Watershed Association has begun
to implement a collaborative wetland restoration project
based in the Fowl
Meadow (Milton and Readville) and at Brookwood Farm
(Milton and Canton), within the Blue Hills Reservation.
NepRWA's
project partner is the MA Department of Conservation and
Recreation - South Region, and our project advisor is the
Wetlands Restoration Program of the MA Office of Coastal Zone
Management. Supported by funding from the Wildlife Habitat
Incentives Program of the Natural Resources Conservation
Service, the Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership,
the Department of Conservation and Recreation Partnerships
Matching Funds program, and the NLT Foundation, and with the assistance of a strong corps of volunteers,
we will apply a biological control method to reduce the
Purple loosestrife infestation in the targeted wetlands. In
this way, we will improve the ecological value of the sites,
encouraging the growth of native wetland plants and thereby
improving native wildlife habitat.
NepRWA's
first wetland restoration project, under our new Pilot
Wetland Restoration Program, focuses on reducing infestations of
Purple loosestrife
(Lythrum salicaria) because of the rapidity with which the plant spreads and simultaneously degrades wildlife habitat in the Neponset River Watershed. Once Purple loosestrife establishes a foothold in a
local wetland, it spreads until it dominates and essentially crowds out the native wetland vegetation relied upon by
native wildlife. A wetland dominated by Purple loosestrife does not provide
the array of ecological benefits of a wetland full of native wetland plants. This
issue is of particular concern at Fowl Meadow, where there
are known state-listed endangered, threatened, and special
concern species.
"Biological control," or using a living organism
to control a species, has proven effective at reducing Purple loosestrife infestations and improving wetland wildlife habitat. The two
Galerucella beetle species
(G. pusilla and G. calmariensis) that we are using feed primarily on Purple loosestrife plants, and feed very little if at all on other plant species.
Their appropriateness for use as biological control beetles
here in the USA has been tested since 1986. Since 2000, they
have been incorporated into a Purple loosestrife biocontrol
program by the Wetland Restoration Program of the MA Office
of Coastal Zone Management. These beetles are currently
being used throughout New England for similar Purple
loosestrife biocontrol projects.
Over five consecutive
summers of beetle releases, we will establish a
self-sustaining population of Galerucella beetles in the project treatment
areas. These beetles will continually control the populations of Purple
loosestrife, even after the end of the 5-year project. The
beetle
populations will rise and fall on-site, depending on the
availability of Purple loosestrife, the weather and the presence of
beetle-eating predators.
During
the first year of this project, we will purchase all of the
biocontrol beetles. However, during the 2nd through 5th
project years, volunteers will help to raise the majority of
the beetles.
Through
site-monitoring both prior to and after each year's beetle
releases, we will assess whether this biocontrol method is an effective means for controlling and reducing Purple loosestrife populations at the treatment sites. The results of this project will help to determine whether or not this biocontrol method
will be used again to control Purple loosestrife in the Neponset River Watershed. Additionally, the project work will strengthen the organizational capacity of the project partners to implement future
wetland restoration projects, as well as inform the wetland restoration efforts of other land managers.
PROPOSED
PROJECT OUTCOMES
-
Restoration of 26.5 acres of wetlands offering high-quality habitat for endangered animal and plant species
-
Restoration of wetland sites significant for their ecological function, their service as educational tools for children and adults, and the recreational opportunities they offer to Metro Boston residents
-
Protection of an additional 200+ acres of wetlands by reducing the probability of their infestation with Purple loosestrife seed
-
Increased biodiversity
-
Public education and involvement in local ecological restoration efforts, including hands-on learning opportunities for youth and adult volunteers
-
Increased capacity of project partners to tackle wetland restoration projects
View
pictures of the project
sites. View native
plants that will flourish once the Purple loosestrife
infestation is reduced and wildlife we have witnessed at
the treatment sites!
This is a great project to get involved in! We
highly recommend participating for individuals, families,
groups of adults, students and/or kids. Volunteers may help raise beetles and/or monitor the treatment
sites. Please
contact Carly (rocklen@neponset.org,
781-575-0354 x303) to learn more about getting involved.
September
2008
