The Acadian Forest

1. The Acadian Forest Ecology and History

2. The Acadian Forest. • In this presentation we will explore the primary Acadian Forest influences: • Geological • Climatic • Natural/Ecological • Human

3. What is the Acadian Forest. • The Acadian Forest region is one of Canada’s 8 forest regions. • It is a rich, mixed forest with wide variety of hardwood and softwood species

4. What is the Acadian Forest. • It covers all of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, and most of New Brunswick. • It’s features vary from: • the Cape Breton highlands, to • the flood plains of the Saint John River Valley to, • exposed coastal areas • areas with deep snow & no snow at all, and • sandy soils to heavy clays.

5. What is the Acadian Forest. • It is also part of North America’s larger Transition Forest zone. • This forest stretches from the Maritimes, west to Minnesota, and south along the Appalachians into Georgia.

6. What is the Acadian Forest. • The Acadian Forest is located halfway between the North Pole and the Equator. • It is where the Boreal (softwood) Forest overlaps with the Deciduous (hardwood) Forest. • This overlapping creates a rich diversity where trees, plants and animals from northern and southern habitats mix.

7. Boreal Forest characteristics in the Acadian Forest. • Lakes and bogs • many areas are poorly drained • Shallow soils • limits rooting depth • Exposure to harsh winter weather • cold dry winds • desert-like conditions • Large stands with single or few species • black spruce, poplar • few layers

8. Deciduous Forest characteristics in the Acadian Forest. • Deep rich soils in some river valleys • hotter summer temperatures • shelter from winter extremes • Warm moist summers • varies between interior and coastal areas • A greater diversity of trees • mixture of hardwoods (sugar maple, yellow birch, & oak) and conifers (pines) • pure stands of beech • more forest layers

9. Overlapping in the Acadian Forest. • For instance, White Birch (Betula papyrifera), ranges from Alaska above the Arctic circle east across much of northern North America. • The Acadian Forest is at the southern limit of its range

10. Overlapping in the Acadian Forest. • However, Yellow Birch (B.alleghaniensis), a close cousin, extends north from Georgia along the Appalachians to the Great Lakes and Newfoundland • The Acadian Forest is at the northern limit of its range.

11. Overlapping in the Acadian Forest. • The Acadian Forest is where the ranges of these two tree species overlap, • BUT they are both at the extreme range limits for each species.

12. Natural & Ecological Influences in the Acadian Forest? • Acadian Forest provides common ecological niches for both species such as: • climate • growing season • soils & nutrients • drainage

13. Species distribution in the Acadian Forest. • However, the Acadian Forest is not a uniform system. Within this small region there are differences in: • soil depth, nutrient levels, and acidity • drainage, and climate range • These and other factors influence species distribution

14. Species distribution in the Acadian Forest. • For instance, white pine is found throughout the Acadian Forest. • It thrives across the region because: • Soil depth and types, • Soil nutrients and acidity, • Climate, growing season, • and other factors, which are suited to its basic growing requirements.

15. Species distribution within the Acadian Forest. • On the other hand, some species are only found in certain locations within the forest • Butternut, is restricted to two NB river valleys due to moist, deep soils and hot summer climate. • Eastern White Cedar is found in areas which have alkaline to neutral soils with high moisture.

16. Single species stand are natural and common in Acadian Forest ecology. Pure stands can be found in disturbed or intact forests. Beech = rich upland sites Poplar = harvest/fire sites Balsam fir = insect disturbances White spruce = abandoned fields White pine or hemlock = rich old growth forests Acadian Forest ecology

17. Geological factorsin the Acadian Forest • Many features of the Acadian Forest are directly tied to the last ice age. • While this geological era ended nearly 10,000 years ago, many of its effects are still with us today.

18. Geological factorsin the Acadian Forest • Soils are residue of glacial deposits • some areas are still exposed bedrock • Soils depths are usually thin. • Top soil = 15 - 25 cm • Minimal organic materials. Wide pH ranges • limits available nutrients

19. Geological Influences • As the glaciers began their retreat, over time a Boreal-type forest gradually reclaimed this land. • species such as larch, spruce & poplar • Eventually more southerly tree species followed. • Maple, oak, pine, etc. • Some were spread by the wind, others by animals and birds, and some by humans • This process may still be happening!

20. Soil influences • Soil depth • In much of the region, top soil tends to be 25 cm or less deep • can’t support most tap root species • soils are still developing from weathering and increased organic matter • soils losses from human activities • Soil pH • soils tend to be acidic - restricts certain nutrients • Soil texture (common) • clay soils can prevent adequate drainage or tap root development • wide range from loamy sand to silty clays • well drained and poorly drained

21. Climate influences in the Acadian Forest • Our location half way between the Pole and the Equator means. • mild winters/cool summers • first and last frost dates vary widely • impacts early/late blooming plants • snow loads vary by year • cover for plants and animals • ice storms! • major impact on hardwoods • wind • blow down is a major problem for many shallow rooted species (most AF species)

22. Seasonal influences in the Acadian Forest • Warm to hot temperatures • Plentiful rain • Mature trees require lots of moisture • Seedlings need shade and moisture on forest floor. • In some areas soils can dry out, while in others they remain wet throughout the season! Summer

23. Seasonal influences in the Acadian Forest • Long, warm fall • Early fall = Clear, sunny weather • leaf colour may be due to sunscreen mechanism • Rain variable • Trees need adequate water for storage over the winter Fall

24. Seasonal influences in the Acadian Forest • Wide temperature range • cold dry winds • In any given year snow loads may be heavy or light • Ice storm damage! • Species locked in cold desert for 3 - 5 months. Winter

25. Seasonal influences in the Acadian Forest • Long and slow • Temperatures vary. • just above or below freezing • danger for plants which break dormancy too early or too late • Wet soils = cold soil temperatures Spring

26. Growing season in the Acadian Forest • Our global position means weather patterns can vary widely from year to year. • In any given year, weather can support or hinder any particular species. • Summer droughts for several years • Heavy snow in recent years

27. Insects & disease Influences • Insect outbreaks are common in the Acadian Forest. • spruce budworm • eastern tent caterpillar • Disease • Dutch elm (wild elm populations virtually eliminated) • Beech canker disease (doesn’t kill but does stunt infected trees) • Insects and disease remove: • individual trees • small groups of trees • larger areas (1 ha to +1,000 ha)

28. Fire influences • Fire is a component of Acadian Forest ecology. • softwood stands, particularly over-mature spruce, fir and pine • Jack pine is fire dependent • hardwoods are usually natural fire breaks • Fires can create large clearances with scattered patches of standing trees • promotes new, even aged forest /pioneer species

29. Human influences in the Acadian Forest - The P.E.I Model • When Europeans began to settle P.E.I., almost 100% of the Island was covered in forests. • Over the next 150 years, they: • Cleared land for farms and building materials • Built wooden ships • Harvested wood for fuel • By 1900, forests only covered 30% of the Island.

30. Human influences in the Acadian Forest • Land Abandonment in the 20th Century • At the turn of the 20th century, many Islanders left the land for opportunities in other places. • White Spruce began to reclaim abandoned farm land. Over the next 50 years, the Island’s forest cover nearly doubled • by 1990, forests cover 48% of PEI • most is east of Charlottetown and west of Summerside Land use decisions made 150 years ago influence what we can and cannot do today!

31. Old field white spruce stands tend to collapse and die at 50- 60 yrs Reasons not fully understood limits harvest/ management options creates fire and aesthetics problems Sucessional stand often poor quality species Historical influences - today

32. Today, land continues to be abandoned at greatly reduced levels from earlier years. Land clearing has expanded again agriculture, blueberries, & cranberries. High softwood harvest Urban, cottage & recreational development. Historical influences - today

33. Human influences • People have had the largest impact on today’s Acadian Forest: • converting forest to other uses, such as • agriculture, blueberries • urban • harvesting forests • hi-grading • abandoning farm land* • reverts to forest but different from original forest

34. Forest species changes (P.E.I.) • Extinct species • Passenger pigeon • Extirpated species: • Black bear • Woodland Caribou • Introduced species • Coyote • Skunk • Re-introduced species • Beaver

35. Acadian Forest summary • The Acadian Forest is a dynamic forest ecosystem. • The Acadian Forest is not a uniform system. • There are many variations within this forest region (soil, climate, species, etc) • The ecological and human processes are constantly changing the Acadian Forest. • Harvest and management decisions are often influenced by land use decisions made hundreds of years ago.

36. Questions?