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Student Research
Examining Alpine Tree Islands in Jasper National
Park
Sarah Hart, (Haddon Heights, NJ)
The recent changes in climate have already
been shown to affect earth's biological systems. Alpine environments
are forecasted to be among the most vulnerable communities
under future climate scenarios. In Jasper National Park, increases
in temperature have been associated with vegetation homogenization
and the movement of trees up slope. My research focused on
assessing the risk of potential forecasted changes in climate
on an alpine community, Cavell Meadows, in Jasper National
Park. This environment is home to many sensitive species including
the endangered woodland caribou. It also has a unique number
of species found no where else in the Rocky Mountain parks.
The dominant tree growth patterns at upper elevations
in Cavell Meadows are small clusters of trees known as tree
islands.
 To
assess whether Cavell Meadows is at risk for vegetation homogenization
through tree island expansion and infilling, a dendrochronological
analysis was conducted. Historic tree island expansion was
found to be correlated to climatic variables. Using these
relationships, future tree island expansion was modelled until
2100 using climate forecasts from the Canadian Climate Centre
for Modelling and Analysis. Results from this project were
then returned to Parks Canada to assist in monitoring and
managing the Cavell Meadows ecosystem.
Sarah Hart led a team from the Mount Allison
Dendrochronology Laboratory (MAD Lab) into a remote location
in Southwestern Nova Scotia and volunteered to help out the
Nova Scotia Protected Areas Branch. She was sent in to assess
a stand of potential old-growth forest, and she discovered
that one area harboured the oldest tree ever documented in
Nova Scotia.
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