Reed Canary Grass on the Banks of the Mississippi River

Shown is an area of reed canary grass at the Princeton Wildlife Refuge on the banks of an island in the Mississippi River near Princeton, Iowa. Reed canary grass grows natively in Europe and Asia. European settlers brought it to North America as livestock feed and it was later used for erosion control and soil stabilization. Reed canary grass proliferates in wetlands, moist meadows, and riparian areas. It excludes and displaces native plants and animals by its rapid reproduction and spreading capabilities. The grass negatively affects streams and rivers by promoting the deposition of silt. It also produces deep mats of rhizomes which can accelerate erosion due to water cutaways under the mats.

How does reed canary grass affect plant diversity on the Mississippi River floodplain?

• In the video, what do you notice about the diversity of plant life on the island?
• How do trees affect the health of waterways?
• How does reed canary grass affect silt deposition and erosion?
• Why is plant diversity important, especially near waterways?

Students could:

• Research invasive species in eastern Iowa.
• Visit areas of reed canary grass and tree stands and compare the soil/erosion and diversity of plant life.
• Do a soil erosion lab in the classroom.

• Purdue University: Department of Entomology | Reed Canary Grass: Description, origin, problem and control of reed canary grass.
• National Resource Conservation Services (NRCS) | Reed Canary Grass Management Guide: Management guide for reed canary grass.
• Protect Earth | How Trees Reduce the Risks Caused by Flooding: This article describes how trees reduce silt deposition.
• US Geological Services (USGS) | Work with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service – Reed Canary Grass: This describes the treatment of reed canary grass in wildlife refuges.
• Soil Science of America | Build an Erosion Model:This is an alternative soil erosion classroom activity.