La Mauricie National Park of Canada
Controlled Burning to the Rescue of the White Pine
A controlled burning to restore the White Pine forest
© Parks Canada/Jacques PleauAre you aware that fire has an important role to play in the natural renewal of woodlands? Since the end of 1980, the National Park Conservation Service has been taking a close look at the possibility of using controlled burning as a vegetation management tool. An active fire management strategy has been set up thanks to a high-level training program as well as exchanges and workshops bringing together specialists from Quebec, Ontario, elsewhere in Canada and the United States.
The first prescribed burning was carried out on an old spruce plantation, in 1991. However, since 1994, efforts have concentrated on restoring the white pine. Research has shown that the ecology of this species is closely linked to the presence of fire, which is why it was decided to use controlled burning as a management tool for this conifer.
But don't worry, we don't mean to burn everything! A low intensity surface fire will eliminate a thin layer of humus and will limit the competitive growth of young fir saplings, creating favourable conditions for the germination and growth of young pines. The adult pines will survive the fire because of their size, the thickness of their bark and the height of the lower branches. Obviously, each burning operation is carried out under specific meteorological conditions, ensuring the success of the operation as well as public safety.
The Decline of a Giant
In former times, the white pine was fairly abundant in La Mauricie. It was used for shipbuilding and lumber, and these huge trees contributed to the economic development of the region in the last century. The major pine forests of the region were exploited to the point where they almost disappeared. Since then, the logging of other species and the success of fire fighting in the forest have considerably changed the structure and development of the forests, resulting in a negative impact on the white pine.
Today, the white pine constitutes less than 1% of the trees in the park forest. If they are still there, this is probably because, when logging was being carried out, they were too small, hard to get at, or not commercially attractive. Although there are not many of these trees, they are spread over more than a third of the park territory, which is a positive factor if the aim is to re-establish this species. Moreover, the many stumps and logs lying on the ground throughout the area, not to mention the tales told by the first settlers and lumber merchants, confirm that these huge conifers ruled in the 19th century.
Planned Rehabilitation
The white pine is a conservation priority for the park. Since 1995, six prescribed burnings were carried out on tree stands where fairly dense groups of the species were present. This research program has been pursued and the park will continue to use fire as a forest management tool. Other burnings have been planned in order to rehabilitate the giant tree and allow it to regain its rightful place in the park forest ecosystem.