Spartina alterniflora is a taxon of plants in the grass family, frequently found in coastal salt marshes that grow on the mudflats and marshes of Puget Sound and coastal estuaries. It is a tall, clumping, perennial grass, growing 2 to 7 feet in height with creeping rhizomes. Its species are commonly known as cordgrass or cord-grass. This plant is perfectly a good plant. It creates a habitat and food for many fish and wildlife. The plants tend to grow in circular clumps called “clones” and are bright green in color. So why does Washington want to get rid of it?
In Washington, we found that Spartinas had multiple problems. First, it is vigorously colonizing intertidal saltwater areas as well as the perimeters of freshwater areas. Second, this grass competes out native plant species, including rare and endangered plant species, reducing marsh biodiversity and ecology functions. Spatina spread outwards from a cordgrass plant in all directions. New plants can grow from the outstretched rhizomes, eventually forming large patches. Clumps of cordgrass or seeds can break off and wash across bays and root in new areas. Third, Cordgrass reduces open mud feeding habitats of shorebirds, competes with indigenous salt marsh vegetation, and alters the hydrology, structure, and function of wetlands. Therefore, once established, controlling and managing cordgrass is extremely difficult and expensive.
Spartina was likely introduced to Washington State through human activities such as deliberate planting or accidental transport of seeds. This sorte of grass came to Puget Sound in a few ways. It goes back to the late 1800s, when it came here from the East Coast. Settlers wanted to raise oysters in the West. They packed them in wet spartina to keep them fresh. When the oysters were put in new beds in Puget Sound, it made Spartina seeds sprout. Spartina was also introduced when duck hunters planted it to attract more ducks. Engineers brought the plant in to keep soil from washing away, and farmers planted it to feed their cattle.
Efforts have been made in Washington to control the spread of Spartina and prevent further introduction of the plant to new areas. These efforts include manual removal, herbicide treatments, and the use of biological control agents such as a species of beetle that feeds on Spartina.The Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board has listed spartina as a Class A noxious weed. Diking may be used as a way to confine the lateral spread of rhizomes. Seedlings can be hand pulled or covered with a geotextile fabric. A planthopper, was released in Washington in 2000 as a biological control agent for smooth cordgrass and it has significantly reduced seed survival at some sites. Cutting and smothering are reported to be highly effective against spartinas, achieving around 98% control.
It's important to control the spread of invasive species like Spartina, perhaps we should also consider what we can learn from them. Despite being non-native and potentially harmful to local ecosystems, Spartina has managed to thrive in new environments and adapt to changing conditions. In a way, Spartina is a symbol of resilience and adaptability, traits that humans could learn from in the face of global challenges such as climate change and pandemics. Therefore while we work to remove Spartina from our waterways and protect native species, perhaps we should also appreciate the lessons it can teach us about survival and adaptation. After all, if we can cultivate a similar ability to thrive in changing environments, we may be better equipped to face the uncertain future that lies ahead. So I wish that everyone can be conscious about the situation in Washington state.
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