In 2001-2002, it was found that the invasive plant Phragmites australis, also called reed grass, was not affecting bird habitat. Twenty years later, the same plant was found to be a major conservation issue. In the intervening years, the level of the Great Lakes dropped to record low levels allowing seeds of the invasive, exotic plant to germinate and take root. As water levels returned to more normal levels, the plant, able to live in five feet of water, expanded its range and many species of birds, turtles and frogs declined unable to survive in the dense monoculture vegetation.
A record of the decline in birds was documented in the Journal of Great Lakes Research titled, Long-term effects of a Phragmites australis invasion on birds in a Lake Erie coastal marsh, in April 2017. Another report was in Ontario Birds, December 2018.
However, what most people don’t know is the successful attempts at control were done using the ingredient glyphosate including in Ontario Provincial Parks. Without control attempts using herbicides it is doubtful, the level of bird and amphibian recovery would be possible. After control treatments using glyphosate started, rare birds such as bitterns and rails returned.
— Pat Kerr