Crews in western Newfoundland’s expansive national park are embarking on a significant tree-planting initiative to aid forest recovery due to a historic surge in the moose population. Darroch Whitaker, an ecosystems scientist with Parks Canada at Gros Morne National Park, reported that around 730,000 trees have been planted since 2023 in areas previously transformed into grasslands by voracious moose herds. The plan is to continue planting for another three years, ultimately reaching 1.25 million trees across approximately four square kilometers.
The restoration efforts go beyond simply replenishing the decimated forests. Whitaker emphasized the strategic selection of tree species capable of thriving in warmer climates, thus establishing resilient forests better equipped to withstand the impacts of climate change. “The trees we’re planting today need to endure for possibly another century, considering the evolving climate conditions,” Whitaker explained during an interview at a Parks Canada tree nursery and greenhouse in Rocky Harbour, N.L., situated within the park.
Gros Morne National Park is renowned for its majestic fiords and boreal forests interlaced with rivers and waterfalls. Established in 1973, this 1,805 square-kilometer park in western Newfoundland stands as the second-largest national park in Atlantic Canada. While moose are prevalent throughout Newfoundland, they proliferated in Gros Morne due to historical hunting restrictions that shielded them from their sole island predator: humans.
In the 1990s, the park teemed with approximately 6,500 moose, some areas harboring over six animals per square kilometer. “We documented some of the highest moose densities ever recorded globally,” Whitaker remarked. The unrestricted moose presence led to significant ecological disturbances, with the animals feasting on young trees and impeding natural forest regeneration processes in areas affected by various factors like beetle infestations.
To address the ecological imbalance, moose hunting was permitted in the park starting in 2011, resulting in a population decline to a more sustainable 2,000 animals. In 2023, tree planters initiated reforestation efforts in former moose meadows by introducing two-year-old saplings. These saplings, nurtured mainly at the Rocky Harbour nursery, encompass a diverse mix of tree species tailored to the park’s changing climate conditions.
Whitaker and his team are incorporating a variety of tree species, including “boutique trees” like yellow birch, white pine, and wild cherry, typically found in the park’s southern regions. By utilizing seeds from the park’s warmer southern areas, they aim to preemptively adapt the forest to anticipated climatic shifts, ensuring the trees’ long-term viability. “Trees cannot migrate independently; they rely on external assistance to cope with climate shifts,” Whitaker emphasized.
The comprehensive reforestation project underscores a proactive approach to environmental conservation, safeguarding Gros Morne National Park’s ecosystem for future generations.