Intensive moose browsing and small-scale domestic woodcutting impacts on forest successional trajectories in Gros Morne National Park, Canada

Under heavy moose browsing, balsam fir-dominated forests in Gros Morne National Park (GMNP) face significant decline, with growing stock decreasing by 38% and spruce expansion increasing by 32% over a century compared to light browsing scenarios. The study used a forest estate model to assess these impacts and restoration strategies, revealing that reforestation through planting could recover 97% of disturbed areas in heavy browsing conditions, boosting total growing stock by 22% and annual allowable cut (AAC) by 12%. Combining planting with moose population management was identified as the most efficient approach for forest restoration under high browsing pressure. The model also estimated AAC at 120,979 m³ in light browsing scenarios—21% higher than sustainable levels under heavy browsing.

White, S., Zhu, X., Meng, F., Taylor, S., & Bourque, C. P.-A. (2021). Intensive moose browsing and small-scale domestic woodcutting impacts on forest successional trajectories in Gros Morne National Park, Canada. The Forestry Chronicle, 97(3), 315–325. https://doi.org/10.5558/tfc2021-033