Population structure and regeneration of Phragmites australis [Cav.] Trin ex Steud. in flood control ditches in the depression wetland [Zulawy Wislane, Northern Poland]

The population structure of Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud. was examined in seven categories of overgrowing flood control ditches, differing on time which had elapsed from the last clean-up. Density, biomass, frequency of development stages, as well as the size and habit of the shoots, were determined in the populations. Site conditions in the ditches and the proportion of the common reed in the total biomass of plants were also examined. The rate at which populations in cleaned ditches regenerate is very quick. Three years after the maintenance works in ditches the reed population is already fully regenerated. Well developed reed rushes, which biomass is about 650 g d.w.m⁻², are dominant. Its density amounts to 76 ± 25 shoots m⁻². Flowering and fruiting shoots are the most numerous. The first signs of population regression were observed in the ditches left without cleaning for more than 5 years. Population density is gradually lower, the proportion of generative shoots is reduced, and the reed is lighter and has smaller assimilation area. In the 11-year-old and older ditches the reed is replaced by other plant species, mainly grasses and shrubs.