Parks Canada is implementing measures to safeguard a rare coastal plant known as Gulf of St. Lawrence beach pinweed at 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 this plant.
The remaining global population of the Gulf of St. Lawrence beach pinweed has faced significant declines due to climate change and severe winter storms, according to David Mazerolle, the ecosystem scientist at Kouchibouguac. The loss of coastal ice during milder winter temperatures has exacerbated the impact of winter storms on these ecosystems.
Parks Canada, in collaboration with research partners at Acadia University, has been gathering the plant’s seeds and exploring methods to germinate, cultivate, and transplant the species into new habitats where it does not currently exist. The specific variety of beach pinweed being targeted for protection is unique to eastern Canada and endemic to the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence.
The Gulf of St. Lawrence beach pinweed, described as a small shrub reaching 20 to 30 centimeters in height, is exclusively found on stable dune systems along coastal areas away from the ocean waves. The majority of this plant’s population is situated on lands managed jointly by Parks Canada and Mi’kmaw First Nations, making Parks Canada well-positioned to lead conservation efforts for the species.
Efforts to safeguard the beach pinweed serve as an insurance policy against habitat loss caused by climate change. The plant’s decline signals the broader challenges faced by coastal ecosystems in the Maritimes due to climate change impacts. Monitoring and protecting the beach pinweed offer valuable insights into the effects of climate change on coastal environments.
The ongoing work to transplant and protect the Gulf of St. Lawrence beach pinweed has shown promising results. The initial round of transplants has been completed, and efforts to germinate the plants have been successful. Moving forward, the project will progress to planting in Kouchibouguac National Park and Prince Edward Island National Park.
Lindsey Burke, a resource management officer at Prince Edward Island National Park, highlighted the importance of protecting the beach pinweed for safeguarding dune ecosystems. Collaborative efforts with Acadia aim to establish self-sustaining populations of pinweed within the parks, ensuring the long-term survival of this unique species in the face of environmental challenges.
