Degradation of Boreal Forests by Nonnative Herbivores in Newfoundland's National Parks: Recommendations for Ecosystem Restoration

• DOI: 10.3375/043.031.0403
• Publication Date: 2011-11-17T09:03:48Z
• Authors: J. Gosse; L. Hermanutz; B. McLaren; P. Deering; T. Knight
• Keywords: Understory; Abies balsamea

For land management agencies such as Parks Canada that are tasked with maintaining the ecological integrity of protected, natural landscapes, dealing impacts non-indigenous species on forest succession is a serious concern. In both Terra Nova and Gros Morne National (island Newfoundland, Canada), cumulative non-native negatively affecting capacity dominant conifer, balsam fir (Abies balsamea), to regenerate following canopy disturbance by insects. Early development an understory layer compromised heavy predation female cones red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus), post-dispersal seed seedling rodents slugs. Taller saplings then subjected browsing from moose (Alces alces) so recruitment reproductive-aged trees largely inhibited. An indirect effect long-term removal seedbeds shifting optimal feathermoss types towards dominated competing grasses plants, thus reducing potential germination fir. We provide evidence these changes composition structure occurring at large spatial scales across protected non-protected landscapes. Finally, we offer recommendations including sustained reductions numbers supplemental planting where densities exceptionally low seedbed degradation has occurred.