Forested Area in PPP that was blown down by Hurricane in 2003, exhibited vigorous re-growth and was thinned in 2020. Photo in early evening of May 27, 2024
Our Members’ annual Outdoors Meeting was held at PPP (Point Pleasant Park) on May 27, 2024. We planned that, after a brief meeting, we would look at sites where the forest had been thinned (2019 or 2020), and at sites that were as yet un-thinned. (Both are in areas that were largely blown down during Hurricane Juan and that have exhibited vigorous re-growth,)
View the Background to Thinning for some info the thinning in PPP, and at NSWFS Outdoor Meeting at PPP for a few pics from our evening meeting.
A few of us arrived early and examined a thinned area not far from the from Tower Road parking lot before proceeding to the meeting at the Prince of Wales Martello Tower at 6:30 p.m.
After a brief meeting, the assembled group (about 15) walked areas that had not yet been thinned lying below Martello Tower (i.e. southwest, towards the Arm). As is usual on our NSWFS outings, there were lots of botanical distractions and it was getting dark by the time we again walked by the thinned areas.
Forested Area in PPP that was blown down by Hurricane in 2003, exhibited vigorous re-growth, sceduled to be thinned in the fall of 2024. Photo in early evening of May 27, 2024
However, it was enough of a sampling to pique participants’ interest in the impacts of thinning on forest flora, both positive and negative, e.g. there appears to be a more vibrant ground flora (re species diversity & cover) in the thinned areas but also more movement of exotics such as Forget-Me Nots & Dandelion* from the roadside into the forest stands than in the as-yet un-thinned areas. *These are not considered to be “Invasive Species”, but as species of exotic origin, they do suggest some loss of Ecological Integrity.
As of July 9, 2024, we have received maps of the thinned (2019, 2020) and remaining-to-be-thinned areas from HRM and permission to post them, courtesy of Adam Cornick (Superintendent Parks West, HRM Parks & Recreation), and Councillor Waye Mason (Member, PPP Advisory Committee).
Some welcome news: In a letter to Mr. Cornick (June 25, 2024) following our evening meeting on May 27, 2024, I passed on to him that “We [NSWFS] are hoping that you could leave a wide strip perpendicular to the slope not thinned for future reference (somewhat like the area that was left uncleared after Juan)” .
Mr, Cornick responded (July 9, 2024): “We have put this into our tender which was posted for bidding last week”. He informed me subsequently that he will provide us with a map of the area that will be left intact once they have determined the area. I will pass on that info. when I receive it.
‘So lots to observe! ‘Plan organize a couple of follow-up PPP excursions over next few months. In the meantime, please make use of the PPP maps and as poss. report at least the more interesting observations at PPP (and anywhere in NS) on iNaturalist.
- David P
LINKS
nswidlflora.ca/Links/Point Pleasant Park
Subpages:
– PPP Tree-Thinning Maps
– –Background to Thinning
– –NSWFS Outdoor Meeting at PPP
