NATURE ON THE TRAILS: October 2024
By Steven Coyle, Wetlands Specialist
Cattails
In our last article the Red-winged Blackbird was featured prominently sitting on a twig. If they are seen along our Mud Lake or Conklin Bay trails they probably are sitting in a wetland. And…they are probably sitting on top of a Cattail. The most prevalent plants in both of these wetlands are Cattails. Adapting the title from a renowned Clint Eastwood Western movie – “The Good, the Bad, the Ugly”, let’s explore Cattails.
THE GOOD. There is more to enjoy about a Cattail Marsh than nice scenery. Extensive Cattail root systems can prevent soil erosion and absorb excess nutrients and contaminants…in theory at least. Plants are eaten by wildlife, provide cover for fish during spawning, serve as animal shelters and nesting for birds. They are used by beavers and muskrats to build dams and huts which, depending on location, is not always good. Cattail populations are beneficial if under control. But Cattails of any type taking over an area can become too much of a good thing. One type of Cattail, named Broadleaf, is native to America and is beneficial since it does not get out of control.
THE BAD. Unfortunately, most every Cattail you see in our lakes and even along the road are not native Cattails. Conklin and Johnson Bay varieties are predominantly Narrowleaf and Hybrid, not the native Broadleaf. (See descriptive comparison below.) Interestingly, Mud Lake actually has a little more diversity. Non-native, considered invasive by most experts, have become dominant and crowd out various native plants. Invasive species reduce biodiversity, cause habitat loss for insects and animals, impede sightlines and water flow, and increase siltation. Cattail flowers contain thousands of fluffy seeds which are carried long distances by wind and birds. Germinating quickly, they take over shallow areas in a few years. Cattail roots, called rhizomes, spread horizontally putting out new shoots. Dense roots create solid mats preventing “good” plants from establishing.
AND THE BEAUTIFUL. So that sea of Cattails is just a pretty face? For perspective, let’s do a comparison to terrestrial vegetation. Even though Bush Honeysuckle makes a lush green cover it is invasive and outcompetes most native plants. It is overwhelming our landscape. These two examples are contrary to Mother Nature’s wishes…and you don’t want to fool with Her! But humans have done just that, introducing non-native Honeysuckle and Cattails from Asia leading to where we are now – a less diverse and beneficial ecosystem. Just as beautiful and awe-inspiring is a native plant garden consisting of several varieties. These plants attract pollinators like bees, butterflies, and even birds. There are pollinator gardens by the Syracuse and North Webster libraries you could check out. Understanding the balance between Cattails, especially the native Broadleaf variety, and beneficial aquatic plants is important. “Natural” wetlands with mostly native plants are good equivalents of Pollinator Gardens!
ON THE TRAILS: The Lake Papakeechie wetlands adjacent to the DNR boat launch is a great example of a “natural” wetland that has a balance of Cattails and native plants. See if you can tell the difference between that wetland and our lake Marsh wetlands.