Crews in western Newfoundland’s vast national park are actively planting thousands of trees to aid in the recovery of forests impacted by a once prolific moose population. Darroch Whitaker, an ecosystems scientist with Parks Canada at Gros Morne National Park, reported that since 2023, approximately 730,000 trees have been planted in areas previously grazed to grasslands by hungry moose. The plan is to continue planting for another three years, reaching a total of 1.25 million trees covering around four square kilometers.
The reforestation efforts are not only focused on restoring the previously consumed forests but also on strategically planting tree varieties that can thrive in warmer temperatures, creating resilient forests capable of withstanding climate change impacts. Whitaker emphasized the importance of selecting tree species that can adapt to forecasted climatic conditions for the next century.
Gros Morne National Park, renowned for its majestic fiords and boreal forests intersected by rivers and waterfalls, spans 1,805 square kilometers and was established in 1973 as the second-largest national park in Atlantic Canada. Moose were abundant in the park, especially due to a historical hunting ban that shielded them from humans, their sole predator on the island.
In the 1990s, the park hosted around 6,500 moose, resulting in extraordinarily high moose densities, with some areas housing more than six animals per square kilometer. The overpopulation led to significant impacts on the vegetation, with moose feeding on young trees, hindering natural forest regeneration processes and creating barren patches known as “moose meadows” across the park.
To address the issue, moose hunting was permitted in 2011, reducing the population to a more sustainable level of 2,000 animals. In 2023, tree planters began the restoration work by replanting trees in the affected areas. The saplings, typically two years old, are cultivated at the Rocky Harbour tree nursery.
Whitaker and his team are diversifying the tree species being planted, incorporating “boutique trees” like yellow birch, white pine, and wild cherry, which are not commonly found in the park but are more suited to the anticipated future climate conditions. By using seeds from the park’s southern regions, where these trees naturally grow, they aim to ensure the new forests are prepared for the expected warmer temperatures in the years to come.
The reforestation initiative is a crucial step in preserving Gros Morne’s unique ecosystem and ensuring the long-term sustainability of its forests in the face of changing environmental conditions.