Transcript Restoration of Forest Health in two National Parks on the Island of

Science and Innovation for Improved Forest
Health in TNNP
Kirby Tulk, Janet Feltham,
Rod Cox
CIF-NL AGM
Novemebr 20, 2014
TNNP- Ecological Context
•
400 km2- Nearly 80 % forested
•
Boreal forest dominated by spruce and fir.
•
Moose were introduced to NF and are now hyperabundant.
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No predation
•
Abundant supply of preferred forage species.
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Other introductions include snowshoe hare, red squirrels, and slugs.
•
Intense and efficient fire suppression since the 1960’s- >80% of the forest is
age class 5 or greater
Moose- Forest Conversion in TNNP
TNNP
(72
km2)
•Over browsing on the boreal forest has
created a significant forest health issue in
TNNP.
Impaired
76 %
•Already 13km2 (8231 hockey rinks) have
been completely transformed into open
fields-not enough trees to regenerate the
forest.
Severely
impaired/failed
19%
Level of
Regeneration in
Disturbed Areas
Suitable
regeneration
5%
Fire Suppression in TNNP-THE BAD
• Increased age structure resulting in loss of habitat diversity, lack of
future habitat for SAR
• Encroachment of climax species -Kalmia, loss of species diversity –
plant and animal
• Hazardous fuel accumulation
HOW BAD CAN IT BE??
Other impacts...
Red crossbill
Newfoundland marten
Erioderma pedicellatum
Brief History of Moose Management in TNNP
•
Developed a hyper-abundant wildlife species
management plan to lethally control moose.
•
Based on sound research- 16 peer reviewed
publications on the effects of moose
•
Moose Management Area established for
TNNP.
•
Year 4 of a moose reduction program (90
licenses issued. Approx. 60 moose taken
from 2011-14
Year
Success
Rate
Moose
vehicle
accidents
Moose
populatio
n
2011-12
50%
10
230
2012-13
55.5%
22
200
2013-14
41%
12
194
Adequate hunting pressure
•
•
< 20% Browse
bF and Hardwoods are self-sustaining
Condition prior to hunting
•
•
•
>50% Browse
bF non-existent in 40 yrs
HRWDS disappear in 100yrs
Focused Moose Reduction
•
•
Focused moose reduction-little gain
Majority of bF communities are distal to
accessible areas
Fire Management in TNNP