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Report: Reed Canary grass Removal in the Komoks Estuary COA-F20-F-3036
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If you have any questions on the information presented, or require additional report data or attachments, please contact the Report Contact
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This report outlines the Comox Valley Project Watershed Societys (CVPWS) efforts to control and manage the spread of invasive reed canary grass (RCG) in the Komoks Estuary in the spring, summer and fall of 2019. This work aligned with the Fish
and Wildlife Compensation Programs priority action to implement habitat-based actions in the Komoks Estuary as per the CVPWS restoration plan - P1. The restoration plan P1 indicates a need for in-stream habitat enhancement projects in Mallard Creek.
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Author: Jennifer Sutherst, Beatrice Proudfoot
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Old Reference Number: COA-F20-F-3036
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Old Reference System: FWCP - Fish Wildlife Compensation Program Coastal
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Date Published: Mar 2020
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Report ID: 58711
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Audience: Government and Public
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During the spring of 2019, the CVPWS inventoried and mapped the extent of RCG in three priority areas in the Komoks Estuary: Hollyhock Marsh Conservation Area, Dyke Slough and the lower reaches of Mallard Creek. Specific regions within these areas were then targeted for eradication trials. The following seven treatments were trialed:
mowing; mowing and shading; mowing and mulching; mowing, mulching and shading; manual excavation by hand; machine excavation; and machine excavation and live staking with native species. Overall, approximately 1200m2 of RCG was removed and
treated across all treatment trials.
The effectiveness of these treatments are currently being documented and monitored, and results will inform subsequent control and management efforts in the study area. At the time of reporting, the CVPWS recommends using the machine excavation and live staking technique to control large monoculture patches of RCG along the riparian area of Mallard Creek and in other regions where RCG has formed
dense monocultures. This approach is an efficient and effective way to work towards this area and improving the habitat for salmonid species.
Key recommendations that resulted from this work include focusing on areas with high habitat value for salmonids such as Mallard Creek and Hollyhock Marsh as well as protecting remaining sensitive plant communities in Hollyhock Marsh. Additional and
detailed recommendations are provided in the CVPWSs RCG Control/Management Plan that was produced with this funding.
There is no quick way to convert an RCG infestation into a native plant community. However, even highly infested areas can be restored to more desirable and
diverse plant communities and much can be accomplished within 2-3 years. As such, efforts should focus on areas with high habitat values and using the results from ongoing monitoring efforts to guide future RCG control and management efforts.
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Report Type
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Fish and Aquatic Habitat Information |
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Subject
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Region - Vancouver Island |
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Fish and Fish Habitat - Habitat and Stream Assessment |
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Fish and Fish Habitat - Impact Assessment |
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Fish and Fish Habitat - Research |
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Vegetation - Aquatic Vegetation |
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