Parks Canada

The abundance of bank swallow (Riparia riparia) nest holes within cliff and bank habitats along PEI National Park coastline is monitored. Previously, large historical colonies were surveyed annually, and every five years a complete census of the entire park shoreline was completed. As of 2010, a...

Seasonal flooding and water retention within low lying areas or areas associated with water drainage pathways creates unique and productive habitat within the landscape. The area of wetlands that are regularly flooded and contain substantial amounts of emergent and submerged vegetation is called...

Prince Edward Island with its sandstone bedrock and dynamic sandy beaches is very sensitive to the effects of sea-level rise. The north shore of PEI National Park is exposed to the Gulf of St. Lawrence and large waves and storm surge. By monitoring the nearshore ice, the level of PEI National...

Coastal erosion is the process that removes shoreline material, causing the coastline to retreat inland. The coastal landscape of Prince Edward Island is identified as a region sensitive to sea-level rise. Systematic measurements for coastal erosion were carried out between 2007-2010 using...

Odonata monitoring is conducted in four shallow water ponds within the wetland ecosystems of PEI National Park. Park staff collect exuviae (the remains of aquatic larval stage exoskeleton) of metamorphosed larvae from the order odonata twice per year: in the early summer (June) and late summer...

This measure monitors the trophic state (primary productivity) of six selected lakes, and four selected streams, in order to collect baseline data on processes fundamental to ecological structure and to detect any changes due to ecological stressors.

The park monitors water quality on Clear Lake by sampling total phosphorus, Chlorophyll-a, oxygen consumption in the hypolimnion, and mean total phosphorus in the inflow streams. Nutrient and oxygen parameters will continue to change due to nutrient stress levels in the lake and thus, the...

The integrity of fire-dependent forest types will be maintained through prescribed burns. The park's fire management program uses remote sensing to monitor post-burn changes on the landscape annually. The Area Burned Condition Class measures will be used as per the PCA Fire Monitoring Plan.

Elk abundance and population composition are assessed annually during an aerial survey conducted between mid-January and mid-February. The elk population composition is measured annually in a classified aerial count held in late Fall.

The wolf population in Riding Mountain National Park is monitored through track counts that are conducted each winter according to methods established by Canadian Wildlife Service in the 1970’s. Wolves are the top predator in Riding Mountain National Park and monitoring their numbers assists in...

Moose in Riding Mountain National Park are affected by hunting, predator population numbers, winter severity, and disease. Riding Mountain National Park conducts annual aerial surveys to monitor the moose population to determine if the population is within the established population thresholds...

Beavers are a key component of the Riding Mountain National Park ecosystems. The park surveys active beaver food caches by air in 30 habitat blocks every 3 years. These surveys have been conducted since 1973.

Peregrine falcons are found in many regions of the northern Yukon including Vuntut National Park. These birds have the important role of top predator and are known to respond to environmental disturbances such as persistent synthetic toxic chemicals, human activity, and changes in breeding...

The Porcupine Caribou Herd is a population of barren-ground caribou whose range includes the northern Yukon, Alaska and the Northwest Territories. It is one of the largest caribou herds in North America. The Porcupine Caribou Herd is critically important to the Vuntut Gwitchin, and protecting...

Permafrost and snow are critical to the ecology of many northern ecosystems. They influence hydrology and vegetation and can dramatically affect the quality of wildlife habitat. In recent decades permafrost temperatures in North America have increased and snowfall and spring snow cover in the...

Permafrost and snow are critical to the ecology of many northern ecosystems. They influence hydrology and vegetation and can dramatically affect the quality of wildlife habitat. In recent decades permafrost temperatures in North America have increased and snowfall and spring snow cover in the...

Tundra is an important ecosystem in Vuntut National Park. It covers approximately 56% of the park and is used extensively by the Porcupine Caribou Herd during it’s spring and fall migrations. The Porcupine Caribou Herd is critically important to the Vuntut Gwitchin and protecting portions of the...

Recent observations suggest that shallow lakes and ponds in the Arctic are becoming increasingly dynamic in response to climate change, and changes in water levels, lake surface area, and biological communities have been observed at several high-latitude locations. The Old Crow Flats, located 25...

Permafrost and snow are critical to the ecology of many northern ecosystems. They influence hydrology and vegetation and can dramatically affect the quality of wildlife habitat. In recent decades permafrost temperatures in North America have increased and snowfall and spring snow cover in the...

Recent observations suggest that shallow lakes and ponds in the Arctic are becoming increasingly dynamic in response to climate change, and changes in water levels, lake surface area, and biological communities have been observed at several high-latitude locations. The Old Crow Flats, located 25...