Newfoundland highland forests
Contents
- 1 Newfoundland Highland forests
- 1.1 WWF Terrestrial Ecoregions Collection
- 1.2 Biological distinctiveness
- 1.3 Conservation status Forested hanging valley, Gros Morne. Source: C. Michael Hogan
- 1.4 Suite of priority activities to enhance biodiversity
- 1.5 Conservation partners
- 1.6 References
- 1.7 Additional information on this ecoregion
Newfoundland Highland forests
Gros Morne NP, Newfoundland, Canada. Source: Geological Survey of Canada
The Newfoundland highland forests ecoregion lies entirely within the island of Newfoundland. It is distinguished from the Eastern Canadian Forests by higher elevational range and rugged topography. The Newfoundland highland forests are considered within the Nearctic Realm.
This area, classified within the Boreal forests/Taiga, has a mean annual temperature of 4°Celsius (C), mean summer temperature ranges from 11.5°C to 12°C and the mean winter temperature from -3.5°C to -4°C. The mean annual precipitation varies between 1000 to 1400 millimeters (mm). This region has a maritime high boreal ecoclimate, with cool summers and cold snowy winters.
Rugged, steep slopes are formed of acidic, crystalline Palaeozoic and Precambrian rocks, and range from sea level to 815 metres (m) above sea level , altough most of the region lies in the 300 to 700 metre elevation range. Ridged to hummocky bare rock is common.
Biological distinctiveness
The boreal forest in this ecoregion is characterized by dwarf, open and in some areas closed cover patches of Black spruce (Picea mariana) and Balsam fir (Abies balsamea) alternating with communities of Dwarf kalmia (Kalmia polifolia) and various mosse species. Exposed sites support mixed evergreen and deciduous shrubs.
This ecoregion contains the northernmost extension of the Appalachian Mountain system in North America. Some arctic plant species occur as disjunctive southern populations or extensions of their usual continental range. Similarly, the Arctic hare (Lepus arcticus) is at the southern limits of its continental range in the Newfoundland Highland Forests.
There are no native amphibians or terrestrial reptiles native to this ecoregion. One needs to consider that all animal life in the ecoregion had to migrate from the mainland within the last 15,000 years, and no reptiles or amphibians made this voyage by swimming or migration over the pre-Holocene icepack.
Mammals
There are numerous mammalian taxa present in the Newfoundland highland forests. Among these are the Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus), Snoeshoe hare (Lepus americanus), Canadian lynx (Lynx canadensis), Caribou (Rangifer tarandus), Northern river otter (Lontra canadensis)
Avifauna
A considerable variety of bird species occur in this ecoregion, including the Vulnerable Rusty blackbird (Euphagus carolinus), Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), Rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta), Boreal chickadee (Poecile hudsonicus).
Conservation status 
Forested hanging valley, Gros Morne. Source: C. Michael Hogan
Habitat loss
It is estimated that eighty to ninety percent of the ecoregion remains as intact habitat. Most areas above the tree-line have only been impacted as the result of a few power transmission corridors, mineral exploration and extraction; domestic timber harvesting has affected the middle and lower elevations.
Remaining blocks of intact habitat
The ecoregion is naturally divided into three disjunctive habitat blocks. All of these are ecologically relatively intact.
Degree of fragmentation
Human induced fragmentation is relatively minor, given the degree of protection and limited amount of human activity.
Degree of protection
- Gros Morne National Park (upper elevations) in western Newfoundland - 1942 square kilometers (km2)
- Barachois Pond Provincial Park in southwestern Newfoundland - 34.97 km2
- King George IV Ecological Reserve in western Newfoundland - 19 km2
Ecological threats
The lower forested slopes of this ecoregion are under threat from increased domestic timber harvesting for wood as well as commercial pulp and paper. Areas at higher elevation (most of the ecoregion) are principally threatened by granite quarries and a high level of mining potential and activity. All terrain vehicle use is notable in certain locales within the ecoregion.
Suite of priority activities to enhance biodiversity
A Protected Areas Strategy has been launched in Newfoundland/Labrador. This needs to be fully implemented by the year 2015 with appropriate representative protected areas established. In the interim, the Little Grand Lake proposed ecological reserve needs to be designated.
Conservation partners
- Action: Environment
- Natural History Society of Newfoundland and Labrador
- Newfoundland/Labrador Environmental Association
- Protected Areas Association of Newfoundland and Labrador
- Tuckamore Wilderness Society
- World Wildlife Fund Canada
References
- Bouchard, A., Hay, S., Bergeron, Y. and Leduc, A. (1987). Phytogeographical and life-form analysis of the vascular flora of Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland, Canada. Journal of Biogeography 14: 343-358.
- Nicol, K. and Mace, L. (1989). Gros Morne. Canadian Geographic, April/May: 40-49.
Additional information on this ecoregion
- For a shorter summary of this entry, see the WWF WildWorld profile of this ecoregion.
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