Parks Canada is implementing measures to safeguard a rare coastal plant in Kouchibouguac National Park in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island National Park. This year, the purchase of official Parks Canada merchandise such as shirts and tote bags online will contribute to the conservation efforts for the Gulf of St. Lawrence beach pinweed at these two parks.
David Mazerolle, the ecosystem scientist at Kouchibouguac in eastern New Brunswick, highlighted that the global population of this plant has significantly declined due to climate change and severe winter storms. With the diminishing winter sea ice protection, the coastal ecosystems are increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of winter storms.
The initiative involves collecting seeds of the plant and collaborating with research partners at Acadia University to develop techniques for germination, growth, and successful transplantation of the species into new habitats where it currently does not exist but can thrive.
The Gulf of St. Lawrence beach pinweed, described as a unique and rare species specific to eastern Canada, is of significant conservation importance. This variety of beach pinweed is exclusive to the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence and is not found anywhere else worldwide.
The plant, a short shrub standing around 20 to 30 centimeters tall, thrives in stable dune systems along the coast, away from the ocean waves. The majority of the plant population is situated on land jointly managed by Parks Canada and Mi’kmaw First Nations, making Parks Canada well-positioned to lead the conservation efforts.
The protection of the beach pinweed is crucial as its habitat faces threats from climate change, reducing the plant’s natural growth opportunities. Safeguarding such species within coastal environments is challenging yet essential, considering the vulnerability of coastal regions to climate change impacts.
The beach pinweed serves as an indicator of climate change effects on coastal ecosystems, emphasizing the significance of conservation efforts to monitor and address these impacts. The ongoing work includes successful transplantations and seed germination efforts, with plans to expand conservation activities in Kouchibouguac National Park and Prince Edward Island National Park.
Through collaboration with Acadia, the aim is to establish self-sustaining populations of pinweed in various parts of the park. By acclimating the plants to local conditions before transplantation, the hope is to enhance their chances of thriving in their new environment.