The recent changes in climate have already been shown to affect earth's biological systems. Alpine environments are forecasted to be among the most vulnerable communities under future climate scenarios. In Jasper National Park, increases in temperature have been associated with vegetation homogenization and the movement of trees up slope. My research focused on assessing the risk of potential forecasted changes in climate on an alpine community, Cavell Meadows, in Jasper National Park. This environment is home to many sensitive species including the endangered woodland caribou. It also has a unique number of species found no where else in the Rocky Mountain parks. The dominant tree growth patterns at upper elevations in Cavell Meadows are small clusters of trees known as tree islands. To assess whether Cavell Meadows is at risk for vegetation homogenization through tree island expansion and infilling, a dendrochronological analysis was conducted. Historic tree island expansion was found to be correlated to climatic variables. Using these relationships, future tree island expansion was modelled until 2100 using climate forecasts from the Canadian Climate Centre for Modelling and Analysis. Results from this project were then returned to Parks Canada to assist in monitoring and managing the Cavell Meadows ecosystem.

Sarah Hart led a team from the Mount Allison Dendrochronology Laboratory (MAD Lab) into a remote location in Southwestern Nova Scotia and volunteered to help out the Nova Scotia Protected Areas Branch. She was sent in to assess a stand of potential old-growth forest, and she discovered that one area harboured the oldest tree ever documented in Nova Scotia.

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