It’s almost Phragmites (Phragmites australis subsp. australis) surveying season, and our team is gearing up for the challenge. We’ve been reviewing areas within the watershed identified by the New Brunswick Invasive Species Council as containing large patches of invasive Phragmites. To support effective field planning, our team has been using satellite imagery through Google Maps to get an initial look at these locations. This process helps us determine which areas are suitable for on-foot surveys, and which may require drone coverage due to accessibility challenges.
We plan to survey these areas in winter, as this is the optimal season for identifying Phragmites. These resilient plants often remain standing while surrounding vegetation dies off due to the harsh weather, making it easier to locate their patches; as they’re often in densely vegetated areas.
