Special Places: Eco-lessons from the National Parks in Atlantic Canada

Park Backgrounder: Prince Edward Island National Park of Canada

People, the sea and the changing landscape

Introduction

Established in 1937, Prince Edward Island National Park of Canada is located along the central north shore of Prince Edward Island and is a representative area of the Maritime Plain Natural Region. Covering approximately 20 km2 , this small park protects a diverse variety of habitats including beaches, sand dunes, coastal headlands, wetlands such as salt marshes and barachois ponds, old fields and remnants of the Acadian forest (a mixed hardwood forest).

© Parks Canada / Don Pentz

The natural features of Prince Edward Island National Park are the result of wind, waves and time. Approximately 285 million years ago, rivers carried sand, silt, gravel and mud from an ancient mountain chain into a low-lying basin, eventually forming the sandstone bedrock of Prince Edward Island. With the formation and retreat of glaciers, the island took shape. It continues to evolve today, as the coastal winds and waves of the Gulf of St. Lawrence modify the coastline.

The beaches and sand dunes are the most prominent features of Prince Edward Island National Park, representing the majority of its total area. The beaches are very popular for swimming but are also an invaluable habitat for wildlife. One of the many species that relies on the beach community for survival is the internationally endangered piping plover. Approximately two percent of the global plover population nest on the beaches of Prince Edward Island National Park between April and August each year. In addition to their importance to piping plovers as nesting areas, the beaches of Prince Edward Island National Park play a significant role in shorebird migration in both the spring and the fall.

Most of the ponds in the park were, at one time, open to the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Over time, the movement of sand dunes has reduced the water flow into the ponds and, in some cases, completely separated them from open waters. Without the influx of salt water, the remaining water has gradually become fresh, providing important habitat for migrating waterfowl and a myriad of other wildlife.

The forests that greeted the early European settlers of Prince Edward Island are no longer as they once were. Only remnants of the original Acadian forest are still in existence. The white spruce is by far the most common species today in the park, whereas common to the original forest were American beech, sugar maple, yellow birch, eastern hemlock, red oak, red and white spruce and balsam fir.

Over 400 different species of plants are found in the park. In each of the habitats of Prince Edward Island National Park, the wildlife is generally representative of Eastern Canada but there are fewer species due to the physical isolation of the island. The largest land mammal is the coyote. It preys on snowshoe hare and a variety of small mammals, amphibians, and birds. Other mammals common to the park are the red fox, beaver, mink, weasel, raccoon, skunk and muskrat. At various times of the year, the park is also home to over 300 species of birds, including the endangered piping plover and the great blue heron – the symbol for Prince Edward Island National Park. The great blue heron can be seen in various park habitats but most commonly at the edges of bays, salt marshes or barachois ponds where they fish. Their annual migration pattern takes them as far as South America in the winter months.

In February of 1998, Prince Edward Island National Park was expanded to include approximately 400 hectares on the Greenwich peninsula. In addition to having similar habitats as the rest of the park, Greenwich is home to rare, U-shaped dunes known as parabolic dunes. These dunes have associated features called Gegenwälle, or counter ridges, which are very rare in North America.

The area is also very important culturally. Archaeological work has provided evidence of continuous human habitation going back 10,000 years. At various times and locations, Paleo-Indian people, Mi’kmaq, French, Acadian, Scottish, Irish and English settlers have all lived in this area.

Two protected heritage areas are also located in the park: Green Gables and Dalvay-by-the-Sea National Historic Site.

The park receives about 750,000 visitors every year. Nearly one-third of the total park area has some degree of development for visitors, such as roads, campgrounds and other facilities. Intensive visitor use in summer is one of the main problems in the area.

Visitors to Prince Edward Island National Park are encouraged to learn about and explore the park in a manner that is sensitive to its fragile resources. One of the best ways to do so is by participating in interpretation programs. Birdwatching, hiking, photography, cycling, swimming and camping are all popular activities as well.

Park Objectives

• To reduce human-induced stressors in the park and, in the interim, to manage them in a manner that does not impair ecological integrity (i.e. does not negatively affect populations of native species or ecological processes).
• To restore natural vegetation communities in selected areas of the park and adjacent Crown lands that have suffered a loss of ecological integrity.
• To maintain viable populations of all native species, including genetic diversity within species.
• To work with local landowners and organizations to improve stewardship of lands and waters in the greater ecosystem outside the park.

Park Stressors

• Habitat fragmentation
• Intensive visitor use
• Visitor/tourism facilities
• Agricultural activity near the boundaries of the park
• Global climate change

References

• Parks Canada. Ecosystem Conservation Plan for Prince Edward Island National Park, Approved 1999. Unpublished 2001.
• Parks Canada. Prince Edward Island National Park Management Plan, 1998.
• Parks Canada. Visitor Guide, Prince Edward Island National Park.
• Parks Canada Web site: www.parkscanada.gc.ca