Minnesota Sea Grant (MNSG)-supported master's student, Brendan Nee, will be presenting on MNSG's Invasive Cattail-Dominated Shorelines project as part of his master's defense seminar.
Nee is an M.S. Candidate in the conservation sciences graduate program at the University of Minnesota.
This virtual event is free and open to the public. Registration is not required.
When
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
2:00 - 3:00 p.m. CT
Location
This event will be held virtually via Zoom.
Presentation Abstract
Nearshore aquatic vegetation provides critical habitat for spawning fishes, juveniles, and their prey. Diverse plant communities—mixing floating, emergent, and submergent species—support sportfish like walleye, bass, pike, and sunfish. Invasive narrow-leaf and hybrid cattail (Typha angustifolia, T. × glauca) have spread across Minnesota lakes, displacing native vegetation and forming dense, homogeneous stands that degrade fish habitat.
Our study examines whether small-scale mechanical removal of cattail (channelization) can improve nearshore ecosystems. We assessed 1–2 paired sites at nine lakes, comparing biotic (fish and plant communities) and abiotic factors before and after cattail removal in 2021, with post-removal sampling in 2022.
We observed improvements in water quality, increased plant diversity, and shifts in fish communities in treated sites. These findings offer insight into the potential for localized cattail removal to restore habitat and benefit fisheries management across the region.
Event Organizer
This event is organized by the conservation sciences graduate program at the University of Minnesota.
Contact
Amy Schrank, Minnesota Sea Grant Extension Program Leader.
Image credit: Meg Duhr.