Invasive Plant Cleared From Salem Sound Saltmarsh

SALEM, MA — Salem Sounds Coastwatch volunteers spent several hours pulling an invasive species from the marsh edge between Salem State and Pickman Park.

The volunteers pulled pepperweed, which has the potential to destroy other salt marsh vegetation, from the area.

"Pepperweed will outcompete the native plants and disrupt the ecology of the salt marsh," said Barbara Warren, Executive Director of Salem Sound Coastwatch. "It forms dense stands and spreads rapidly both by seed and rhizome."

Warren said salt marshes play a vital role in the coastal ecosystem. The marsh provides a habitat for birds, fish and crustaceans. It protects surrounding areas from flooding and captures carbon from the atmosphere.

Salem Sound Coastwatch is looking for volunteers for future pepperweed pulls in June and July before the plant flowers. Those willing to help can contact Warren at Barbara@warren@salemsound.org or call 978-741-7900.

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)