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. 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. 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.