Restoring Forest Health in Terra Nova National Park: Final Report, Conservation and Restoration Project #268

This report describes the forest restoration initiatives that have been implemented in Terra Nova National Park (TNNP) from 2014- 2018. The absence of wildfire as a natural disturbance process and the suppression of tree regeneration by hyperabundant moose have impaired TNNP’s forests for many decades. Since many wildlife species are strongly associated with specific habitat types, changes to the structure and composition of forests as a result of this impairment have the potential to affect the viability of sensitive species such as woodland caribou and species at risk (e. g. some arboreal lichens, Newfoundland marten).

This conservation and restoration (CoRe) project (Restoring Forest Health in Terra Nova National Park) focused on several inter-related components; 1) restoring the ecological role of fire, 2) reducing the impact of hyperabundant moose on forest regeneration, 3) restoring balsam fir forest through moose exclusion and planting, and 4) enhancing visitor experiences and educational initiatives. 

Though ecological monitoring data is still being collected and evaluated, preliminary results suggest that the targeted reduction of the organic layer to below 5 cm did not occur over an extensive area. Continued monitoring should reveal the effectiveness of these burns in promoting black spruce regeneration. 

Continuation of the moose reduction program (initiated in 2011) has contributed to a steady decline in moose abundance and an obvious improvement in the density of both balsam fir seedlings and saplings in some areas of the park. Though the densities of these height classes are still well below ‘natural’ levels, the results show that reducing the density of non-native moose can directly improve the condition of this dominant tree species in TNNP. Similarly, the impact of the moose reduction program has also been encouraging for the recovery of hardwood trees throughout Terra Nova National Park. Though these improvements to forest health are undoubtedly occurring, it is imperative to continue active management so that this recovery can continue and the resiliency of the system to browsing pressure, climate change, and other factors can increase. 

Building upon the demonstrated success of experimental fencing in facilitating forest recovery, a large (8 ha) exclosure was erected in 2018 to restore a stand of severely impacted balsam fir forest. Seven thousand seedlings were subsequently planted and preliminary results show that there has been >95 % survival. Full recovery of this area to closed canopy balsam fir forest will require many years to occur, however, the foundation for this process to occur has been established. 

In addition to evidence-based active management programs, this CoRe project had a strong focus on enhancing visitor experience and increasing awareness of resource conservation issues. Initiatives included recapitalization of the Activity Centre, construction of an attractive viewing platform at Ochre Hill, creation of a fire management stakeholder group, and the delivery of workshop co-hosted by the Miawpukek First Nation that facilitated the sharing of knowledge on lichen ecology and survey techniques. 

Because these changes to forest health developed over many decades and impact much of the TNNP landscape, developing and implementing science-based approaches that will affect meaningful change is also expected to be a long-term process and will require unwavering commitment by Parks Canada. Terra Nova National Park’s continual investment in ecosystem science and stakeholder engagement reflects this commitment. In the final section of this document we provide a number of recommendations on how our active management program may be modified and/or expanded to achieve a higher level of effectiveness.