The Relationship of Two Invasive Wetland Plant Species, Common Reed (Phragmites australis) and Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), and the Relative Availability of Sandhill Crane Roosting Habitat on the Central Platte River

Authors

Sierra Harris, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Date of this Version

Summer 8-2013

Abstract

This study provides imagery related to the relationship between the invasive plants, common reed and purple loosestrife, and sandhill crane roosting habitat in south-central Nebraska during spring migration. Three time-lapse camera locations are used to support findings from various literature findings. A continued analysis of this relationship is necessary because sandhill cranes are ecologically and economically important to Nebraska. Various habitats along the central Platte River are critical staging habitats, which influence sandhill crane survival while they migrate north to breeding grounds. Common reed and purple loosestrife alter these habitats and have negative impacts on sandhill crane roosting sites, therefore managing and controlling these invasive wetland plant species is necessary.