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Student Research
Climate Change in
the Fundy Region
Ben Phillips
The rugged Caledonia Highlands region rises
up from the powerful tides in the upper reaches of the Bay
of Fundy forming the
Fundy
Escarpment. The area has become a focal point
for ecological research due to conflict over land uses, which
range from intensive logging to conservation zones, including
Fundy National Park. Using remnants of the old-growth forest
and tree ring analysis Ben has built a 300 year chronology
from red spruce trees. By creating a model of red spruce growth
response to climate, hindcasting is then possible to generate
a 300 year paleoclimatic record, which will be the longest
of its kind in Atlantic Canada. The interpretation of past
climates will be applied directly to the diverse management
goals of the region. This will aid conservationists within
the park/protected areas and foresters to anticipate future
adaptation required by many species in response to anthropogenically
enhanced climate change. In the process, Ben discovered the
oldest red
spruce on record.
Both Ben and Lanna received
grants from the Royal Canadian Geographic Society to carry
out their research.
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