Crews in western Newfoundland’s expansive national park are engaged in a significant tree-planting initiative to aid the forest’s recovery from the impact of a previously prolific moose population. Darroch Whitaker, an ecosystems scientist with Parks Canada at Gros Morne National Park, reported that over 730,000 trees have been planted since 2023 in areas where moose grazing had transformed forests into grasslands. The goal is to plant a total of 1.25 million trees over three more years, covering approximately four square kilometers.
The reforestation efforts are not only focused on restoring the previous forest cover but also on strategically planting tree species that can thrive in warmer climates, ensuring the development of resilient forests capable of withstanding the effects of climate change. Whitaker emphasized the need for the trees planted today to endure for a century or more, necessitating consideration of future climate conditions.
Gros Morne National Park, renowned for its majestic fiords and boreal forests intersected by rivers and waterfalls, spans 1,805 square kilometers in western Newfoundland, established in 1973 as the second-largest national park in Atlantic Canada. Moose, abundant across Newfoundland, became particularly numerous in Gros Morne due to a historical hunting ban that shielded them from human predators, their primary threat on the island.
During the 1990s, the park harbored around 6,500 moose, with some areas accommodating six or more moose per square kilometer, marking record-high moose densities globally. The unchecked moose population led to extensive deforestation, creating “moose meadows” where trees failed to regenerate due to moose feeding habits, exacerbating natural disturbances like beetle infestations.
In response, moose hunting was permitted in the park in 2011, resulting in a reduced moose population of 2,000 to manage the ecological balance. Subsequently, in 2023, tree planters began reintroducing young saplings into the impacted areas to kickstart the forest regeneration process. The saplings, typically two years old, are sourced and nurtured at the Rocky Harbour tree nursery.
The reforestation strategy involves planting a diverse array of tree species, including black and white spruce, balsam fir, and “boutique trees” like yellow birch, white pine, and wild cherry, commonly found in the park’s southern regions. By utilizing seeds from the park’s warmer southern areas, the new trees are pre-adapted to anticipated climate changes, ensuring their long-term survival and ecological resilience.
Whitaker stressed the importance of aiding tree migration by strategically planting species suited to future climate conditions, as trees cannot relocate as swiftly as environmental shifts occur. The ongoing tree-planting efforts aim to restore Gros Morne National Park’s ecosystem balance and safeguard its biodiversity for the future.
