In past times in Finland there was much more use for reed. After the World War II the utilization of reed was bit by bit forgotten, grazing ended along the coast lines and new materials replaced common reed in building sites. At the same time, the human-induced increase in the amounts of nutrients washing to waterways eutrophicated them and made possible the widespread proliferation of reed.

As a strong competitor and a large plant, the common reed has taken over open waters in an extent that it makes recreational use and boating more difficult in overgrown areas. For many organisms, such as water birds and fish, the reed bed offers shelter, breeding ground and sustenance, but when expanding excessively the reed bed reduces the biodiversity in the end both on and under water.

It is possible to either harvest or protect reed beds. The best economic and conservational results are achieved by coastal planning, where many factors are taken into account to determine the best possible harvesting season and to the utilization of harvested material. Each reed bed is assessed by experts and a plan is drawn up according to the local special needs. The plan is then executed hopefully in cooperation with landowners, entrepreneurs and authorities.