European Beachgrass
(Ammophila arenaria)
Grass family
Where is it from?
- Native to Europe, the beachgrass was brought to North
America as a dune stabilizer.
Where are you likely to find it?
- European beachgrass grows along many coastal beaches.
Small to extensive patches of European beachgrass infest
many of the beaches in the Redwood National and State
Parks, the largest infestation being at Gold Bluffs Beach.
What makes it a "BAD" plant?
- European beachgrass is an aggressive colonizer of beach
areas that forms a dense mat of grass and rhizomes, unlike
any of the native dunemat species.
- The beachgrass captures sand, decreasing natural sand
movement, and causing the dunes to increase in height.
- As the dunes increase in height and the normal ocean
breeze diminishes behind the dunes, a new microclimate
develops that is no longer suitable for dunemat species.
Succession ensues toward more inland native coastal
vegetation types and colonization by other exotic plant
species, until the integrity of the entire native dunemat
ecosystem is threatened.
- Areas heavily infested with beachgrass are unsuitable as
habitat for nesting snowy plovers. These marine birds
require areas of open sand or low, native dunemat
vegetation for nesting. The snowy plover is a federally
listed, threatened species.
- Areas infested with beachgrass are unsuitable as habitat
for three (CNPS List 1B) sensitive plant species: beach
layia (Layia carnosa) [also federally listed as
endangered], Wolf's evening primrose (Oenothera wolfii)
and pink sand verbena (Abronia umbellata ssp.brevifolia).
How do you get rid of it?
- Carefully remove all above-ground shoots and shallow rhizomes
by severing them with a sharpened shovel about 6 inches below
the surface. The plants must expend energy reserves to resprout,
so the cutting weakens them.
- Monitor sites at least monthly for one year, removing all
of the resprouts as described above. Resprouting is more
rapid and vigorous in summer when the ground is warm.
- Monitor every three months for two more years, removing all
resprouts. Almost total eradication may be possible within
three years, but it takes more time at some sites than others.
- Removing beachgrass from small areas by hand is one thing,
but eliminating it from a large area, such as Gold Bluffs
beach, is a greater challenge. Removal of such a large
infestation necessitates a coordinated, comprehensive effort,
with ample project planning, funding and public review. As
a first step, the probable consequences of beachgrass removal
must be investigated, since the removal would destabilize
a large area of accumulated sand. Due to the scale of
infestation, use of mechanized technology is required, such
as was used successfully at the Lanphere-Christiansen Dunes
in Arcata. When a major new project is being considered,
several steps are taken. First, a proposal for a pilot
project is developed and reviewed. If approved and funded,
a field test is conducted. A pilot project involves a
comparison of methods, a determination of effects, and an
assessment of whether native plant re-introduction is required
when the beachgrass is removed. Once a methodology proves cost
cost effective, a full-scale proposal is prepared for public
review. If approved, funding for full-scale removal is sought.
Funds might come from an agency of the federal government
or the State of California, or from a private organization.
- Prevention is the best approach. The parks' exotic plant
staff regularly monitor beaches in the park, removing beachgrass
immediately or scheduling work days, so that more million-dollar
problems, such as the one at Gold Bluff beach, can not develop.
What can you do to help?
- Recognize the seriousness of the problem. European beachgrass
threatens the integrity of coastal sand dunes, dune plants and
animals around the world. Removal is very labor intensive.
- Look around. Discover, in most places, we are losing ground.
Spread the word.
- Volunteer to help. Sign up as a Volunteer
in Parks (VIP), call the Nature Conservancy, Bureau of Land
Management or any other agency, public or private, in charge
of managing a beach now infested with European beachgrass.
- CAUTION: Do not remove plants without permission
in writing or direction from the land owner, manager or,
if on public lands, an agency official. Much of the area
where European beachgrass occurs is actual or potential habitat
for sensitive species that beachgrass threatens. Control of
beachgrass and restoration of habitat are worthy goals, but the
immediate protection of sensitive species, especially when they
are reproducing, always takes precedence, as is required under
the Endangered Species Act.
