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104-523: Narrow Hills Provincial Park is a northern boreal forest provincial recreational park in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan . It is located in a hilly plateau called the Cub Hills and contains several recreational facilities and over 25 accessible lakes within its boundaries. The geographical features of the park, including the lakes, valleys, and lowlands were formed over 10,000 years ago during

208-553: A common-pool resource which is rivalrous in nature but non-excludable. Thus, on public grounds, all can enjoy the benefits of fishing so long as fish continue to be stocked. Fish stocking is a practice that dates back hundreds of years. According to biologist Edwin Pister, widespread trout stocking in the United States dates back to the 1800s. For the first hundred years of stocking, the location and number of fish introduced

312-482: A 255-page report on United States fish resources. Congress granted the team $ 15,000 to develop food fish stocks, and non-native fish such as rainbow trout , salmon , striped bass and carp were subsequently introduced successfully into United States lakes and rivers. In the early years, fish were stocked by sports clubs and private citizens. Today, state fish and wildlife agencies along with hatcheries are responsible for distributing fish. And until recently, their goal

416-404: A balanced ecosystem with biological diversity is also extremely important. Many scientists have claimed that because fish that are stocked tend to be apex predators , native species may become prey and have to compete with the oftentimes larger introduced fish for food and habitats. Additionally, the use of aircraft to stock fish in the second half of the 20th century meant pilots often stocked

520-500: A band of aspen parkland marks a different kind of transition along the south-central flank from boreal forest to grassland . In Central Canada , the southeastern flank is marked by the Eastern forest-boreal transition of Central Ontario and western Quebec . It consists mainly of mixed coniferous and broad-leaf woodlands. South of this transition can be found the deciduous woodlands of Southern Ontario . Canada's boreal forest

624-443: A better job of recording exactly what species of fish are stocked at any given location. This began in the 1960s when research suggested the negative impacts of fish stocking on the ecological complexity of other life forms. The Wilderness Act of 1964 also opened the public's eyes to the impact stocking has on other organisms. Thus, fish stocking is now the subject of much debate as there are various costs and benefits associated with

728-585: A consequence they have relatively low biological productivity. Owing to the short growing season, generally infertile soils, generally shallow soils, and frequent waterlogging, most of these forest types are slow-growing species, which generally tend to predominate in stressed habitats. Similarly, many of the understory shrubs are in the Ericaceae , a family known to tolerate acid, infertile and flooded habitats: examples include Labrador tea , sheep-laurel and blueberry . Since nutrient levels are so low, overall,

832-518: A more "natural" level where herring populations are reduced and zooplankton flourish, thus benefiting the ecosystem as a whole. There are additional benefits to fish stocking. Anglers across the country spend millions of dollars through license fees (which benefit state governments) and fishing equipment such as rods, reels, and lures. Members of fishing societies such as the International Game Fish Association and

936-622: A new pine forest begins (see also fire ecology ). It has been estimated that prior to European settlement, this renewal process occurred on average every 75 to 100 years, creating even-aged stands of forest. Fire continues to cause natural forest disturbance, but fire suppression and clear-cutting has interrupted these natural cycles, leading to significant changes in species composition . Boreal vegetation never attains stability because of interactions among fire , vegetation, soil–water relationships, frost action, and permafrost (Churchill and Hanson 1958, Spurr and Barnes 1980). Wildfires produce

1040-497: A now-threatened species, has been linked to stocking of non-native species. As a matter of fact, 35 species of fish and amphibians have been negatively affected by stocking practices in California. Scientists have established a direct link between non-native fish stocking and decline of these species: golden trout, Lahontan cutthroat trout , mountain yellow-legged frog , Yosemite toad and Cascades frog are all threatened by

1144-479: A policy, for example, that states "where a body of scientific evidence shows that stocking in historically non-salmonid waters adversely affects native biodiversity, such stocking should cease." While many organizations remain focused solely on providing quality fishing opportunities, policies and attitudes are shifting toward resource integrity and protection. In Pennsylvania alone, the PA Fish & Boat Commission

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1248-561: A preference for burnt over forests, where it forages for insects burrowing in the dead trees that remain standing. Fireweed , as the name suggests, is a plant that similar thrives in recently burned areas. Blueberries and huckleberries are also stimulated by fires, probably benefiting from the removal of shade, and the nutrients released in ashes. The resulting berries are an important food source for boreal forest animals. Few species of boreal wildlife are classified under government conservation regimes as being at risk of extinction. However,

1352-412: A private pond, it is important to introduce three prey fish for every predator fish. This ensures that predatory fish have enough nutrition to survive and that prey fish can still reproduce. It is also recommended to stock fathead minnows so that both predator and prey fish have enough to feed on. Introducing fish of similar sizes is another important step to ensure that the population grows together. At

1456-407: A sawmill, pulp and paper mill, mine or railway maintenance facility. Boreal forestry activities support almost 400,000 direct and indirect jobs across Canada. Forestry, pulp and paper, mining, and oil and gas exploration and development are the largest industries along with tourism, trapping, recreation, light manufacturing and the services to support industry and communities. The forest products sector

1560-498: A secondary road off of Highway 913 . The forests of the Narrow Hills Provincial Park are classified as Mid-Boreal Upland and trees found in the park include jack pine , aspen , birch, and spruce . There is a wide variety of animals that make the park home, including moose , white-tailed deer , elk , black bears , timber wolves , lynx , snowshoe hares , beaver , and muskrats . Bird species include

1664-1320: A store. The Gem Lakes are a cluster of seven deep, sand-bottom lakes at the north-west corner of Narrow Hills Provincial Park. The lakes are closed basin lakes that were formed more than 10,000 years ago during the last ice age. They are collectively called "Gem Lakes" because they reflect colours of emerald, jade, and aqua blue. The seven lakes include Pearl ( 54°11′00″N 104°48′03″W  /  54.1834°N 104.8009°W  / 54.1834; -104.8009 ), Opal ( 54°11′01″N 104°48′06″W  /  54.1836°N 104.8018°W  / 54.1836; -104.8018 ), Sapphire ( 54°11′07″N 104°47′55″W  /  54.1853°N 104.7985°W  / 54.1853; -104.7985 ), Jade ( 54°11′29″N 104°48′40″W  /  54.1915°N 104.8112°W  / 54.1915; -104.8112 ), Diamond ( 54°11′22″N 104°48′07″W  /  54.1895°N 104.8020°W  / 54.1895; -104.8020 ), Little Jade ( 54°11′21″N 104°48′26″W  /  54.1893°N 104.8073°W  / 54.1893; -104.8073 ), and Little Pearl ( 54°11′06″N 104°48′07″W  /  54.1851°N 104.8020°W  / 54.1851; -104.8020 ). A looping 5.5 km (3.4 mi) trail winds its way around all seven lakes with

1768-614: A variety of water activities. Studies have also examined the economic viability of fish stocking. Hansson, Arrheniusm, and Nellbring of Stockholm University find that simple economic analysis suggests Volga pikeperch stocking can be profitable; based on the capital invested in the stock, the economic yield results in an annual interest rate of 43% (from the viewpoint of anglers). These authors also find that increased populations of stocked fish decreases manpower and equipment costs associated with each catch. They also find that specifically for pikeperch, stocking can restore food web interactions to

1872-565: A vegetation mosaic supporting an ever-changing diversity of plant and animal populations (Viereck 1973). In the absence of fire, the accumulation of sphagnum peat on level upland sites would eventually oust coniferous vegetation and produce muskeg . Despite today's sophisticated and expensive fire-spotting and fire-fighting techniques, forest fires in Canada still burn, on average, about 28,000 km (11,000 sq mi) of boreal and other forest area annually. That average annual burn area

1976-576: Is Canada's largest uranium producing zone in northern Saskatchewan and Quebec's largest hydroelectric generating facilities in the La Grande watershed. About eighty percent of the Indigenous population of Canada resides in forested areas – including one million in over five hundred First Nations and Métis settlements in boreal zones. Of that amount, over 17,000 work in the forest products industry, mostly in silviculture and woodlands operations in

2080-442: Is a government office or private individual conducting the stocking. In the past century, many areas have banned fish stocking for a variety of reasons. In 1959, for example, Yellowstone National Park fish stocking was banned due to cross-breeding between native and nonnative species that was harming the genetic uniqueness of existing populations. This makes fish populations more susceptible to disease. Today, Yellowstone has adopted

2184-682: Is a popular pastime, with 101.6 million Americans over 16 years old participating in wildlife-related activities such as fishing and hunting. Additionally, a report by the U.S. Department of the Interior recorded an 8% increase in angling participation between 2011 and 2016. In 2017, just over 49 million Americans participated in some form of fishing, of which 11.9 million were youth. Most anglers even fish between four and eleven times per year, with some reporting over 100 trips. Adding fish to public lakes and streams makes fishing more fun, especially for young anglers. Fishing also provides Americans

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2288-525: Is approximately 10% of the total boreal area. Most large forest products companies have certified their boreal forestry operations to one of three third-party, independently audited standards for sustainable forest management: Sustainable Forest Management refers to managing a forest ecosystem in a manner that maintains and enhances its long-term health. In July 2008 the Ontario government announced plans to protect 225,000 km (87,000 sq mi) of

2392-428: Is considered to be the largest intact forest on Earth, with around three million square kilometres still undisturbed by roads, cities and industrial development. Its high level of intactness has made the forest a particular focus of environmentalists and conservation scientists who view the untouched regions of the forest as an opportunity for large-scale conservation that would otherwise be impractical in other parts of

2496-414: Is equivalent to more than three times the current annual industrial timber harvest. It can be many more times that in intense fire years. However, although logging also removes trees, fire is not the same as logging, since fire has been a part of coniferous forests for millennia. Fire not only stimulates regeneration of many plant species, it recycles phosphorus and removes accumulated organic matter. Fire

2600-454: Is important to make sure that no pond or body of water is overstocked. Each has a carrying capacity , meaning that any given body of water can only sustain a certain amount of fish. If this carrying capacity is exceeded, fish will have to compete for food and cover, resulting in damage to all organisms in the water. Different countries and states have their own regulations regarding fish stocking. These regulations also differ depending on if it

2704-467: Is in the boreal, government statistics suggest that the harvest declined 18% from 2005 to 2006. Given the high number of mill closings from 2005 onward, mostly in Ontario and Quebec, it is a trend that most likely persisted through 2007 and 2008. Most of Canada's conventional onshore oil and gas production, including the rapidly expanding oil sands production in Alberta, is located in the boreal region as

2808-449: Is in the spring or fall due to mild temperatures and higher levels of oxygen in the water. To acclimate the fish, place the transportation bag in a shaded part of the water and leave it floating for 15–20 minutes. Before releasing the fish, make sure that larger fish and smaller fish are released at different ends of the pond, giving the prey an opportunity to find shelter. Studies show that releasing small numbers of fish at regular intervals

2912-454: Is increasingly used as a management tool to maintain forest health in some parts of North America (see fire ecology ). Different parts of the boreal have different burn cycles. The drier western region, which receives lower average rainfall, had higher natural fire frequencies. Hence, more area is burned annually on average in the west than in central and eastern Canada. When natural burn cycles are interrupted by fire suppression, natural renewal

3016-454: Is largely Crown land . Over 90% of the boreal forest is provincial Crown land; another 5% is federally controlled and includes national parks, First Nations reserves and national defence installations. About 1,400 communities within the Boreal region rely on resource industries for at least part of the livelihood and stability. Many of these communities were carved out of the forest to support

3120-412: Is more effective than releasing all at once, so if possible, plan to release them over a few weeks. It is also important to stock the correct species of fish. For warm water ponds, it is recommended to stock largemouth bass , bluegill , crappie , channel catfish , and bullheads . For larger and deeper lakes, stocking cool water game fish such as walleye and trout species is recommended. Lastly, it

3224-465: Is not entirely monitored by the Federal government; most current federal regulations hand authority for fish stocking to the states, except on federal lands or when "direct involvement of federal wilderness" managers is necessary for decision making. Historically, there has been a jurisdictional debate between state and federal agencies, with states arguing that fish stocking is a prerogative supported by

Narrow Hills Provincial Park - Misplaced Pages Continue

3328-485: Is obstructed and species composition is changed. In addition, fire suppression causes fuel loads to increase so that fires, when they do occur, become more intense. One can argue that fire suppression actually creates a positive feed back loop, where ever more expensive fire suppression generates the conditions for ever larger fires. The negative effects of fire suppression are still under study, and not fully measured, but they need to be considered when making decisions about

3432-454: Is one of Canada's largest export industries, representing approximately 3% of GDP, with about half of the annual wood harvest coming from the boreal forest. Roughly one quarter of the boreal forest is managed for industrial forestry. The remaining three-quarters is either in parks, conservation areas, model forests or is considered non-timber-productive, generally defined as unsuitable for managed forestry or inaccessible. As recently as 2003, it

3536-480: Is running low in a given body of water, fish are transported from hatcheries in a large water tank or airplane to their respective locations. The costs associated with stocking are typically covered by angler associations, commercial fishermen, state fish and game agencies, and at times government subsidies; today, most stocking is conducted by state fish and game departments. Radinger et al., 2023 conducted large-scale experiments across 20 lakes, to systematically test

3640-456: Is scheduled to stock 4,398,227 trout (brook, brown, and rainbows) into its streams and lakes in 2019. Also in 2019, Lake Ontario , one of the five Great Lakes , is projected to receive 2,767,660 stocked salmon and trout. According to data by state agencies, in 2004 roughly 1.7 billion fish were stocked across the United States. With 104 different species of fish stocked, a total of 43.65 million pounds of fish were released, primarily in

3744-527: Is spread across the Northern Hemisphere. These forests contain three structural types: forest tundra in the north, open lichen woodland further south, and closed forest in more southern areas. White spruce, black spruce and tamarack are most prevalent in the four northern eco-zones of the Taiga and Hudson Plains, while spruce, balsam fir, jack pine, white birch and trembling aspen are most common in

3848-405: Is the practice of releasing fish that are artificially raised in a hatchery into a natural body of water (river, lake, or ocean), to supplement existing wild populations or to create a new population where previously none exists. Stocking may be done for the benefit of commercial , recreational or tribal heritage fishing , but may also be done for ecological conservation to restore or increase

3952-453: Is used to restore native species to waters where they have been overfished or can no longer breed. "Give and take" stocking practices are those where fish are stocked only to be fished and then restocked. In response, most states have adopted regulations that prohibit fish stocking in areas that may damage aquatic life or ecosystem diversity, and encourage stocking in bodies of water where no harm will result from doing so. Trout Unlimited has

4056-590: The Bass Anglers Sportsman Society also enjoy fishing in more robust bodies of water. Despite the findings mentioned above, Virginia researchers have found that even with stockings of rainbow trout, 80% of fish in its stocked streams are still natives. The Department of Natural Resources in Minnesota also found that stocked muskie can coexist because biologically-based guidelines are used when choosing what and where to stock. Until recently,

4160-853: The Ecological Society of America , when gulls in the Great Lakes area were examined after fish stocking, they consumed more garbage, presumably due to the decrease in native prey fish by the predatory stocked fish. Another study found that stocked fish in the Pacific Northwest spread a disease that caused a 15% increase in amphibian embryo mortality. In 2005, the Center for Biological Diversity studied bodies of water across California and found that non-native trout had been stocked in at least 47 areas where rare species were present, damaging 39 imperiled fish and amphibians. Members of

4264-551: The Hudson Bay Lowland and the Mackenzie River basin, are among the ten largest wetlands in the world. The boreal forest wetlands provide wildlife habitat (particularly for migratory birds), they maintain water flow in rivers, and they store significant amounts of carbon that otherwise would be released to the atmosphere. In contemporary times, the boreal forest has suffered little deforestation , defined as

Narrow Hills Provincial Park - Misplaced Pages Continue

4368-540: The last ice age . The town of Smeaton is the closest community and it is located 70 kilometres (43 mi) to the south. The park was established in 1934 as Nipawin Provincial Forest (later renamed Nipawin Provincial Park), and was renamed Narrow Hills in the 1990s. The park's boundaries were also changed with the renaming. Hanson Lake Road , which begins at Smeaton, is the main highway through

4472-551: The loon and red-tailed hawk . Boreal forest of Canada The boreal forest zone consists of closed-crown conifer forests with a conspicuous deciduous element (Ritchie 1987). The proportions of the dominant conifers (white and black spruces, jack pine ( Pinus banksiana Lamb.), tamarack, and balsam fir) vary greatly in response to interactions among climate , topography , soil , fire , pests, and perhaps other factors. The boreal region contains about 13% of Canada's population. With its sheer vastness and forest cover ,

4576-444: The "catch-and-release method" to ensure that fishermen release fish back into the water after catching them. There are also restrictions on what types of lures can be used; for example, some sections of the park are open to fly fishing only, a much safer form of fishing that does not damage aquatic life. There is a Native Trout Conservation Area where regulations are structured so that fishermen can selectively remove nonnative fish from

4680-583: The 10th Amendment to the Constitution. Interestingly, the roots of wildlife ownership are grounded in feudal Europe where fish were considered to be common property to all citizens, subject to government control. However, this control over wildlife was transferred to the states with the separation of the Colonies from Britain. Despite the federal government's right to exercise wildlife authority, current regulation states that "Congress has, in fact, reaffirmed

4784-654: The Boreal Shield, at 1,630,000 square kilometres the largest of the eight zones, the Boreal Plains and Boreal Cordillera. A typical ecoregion of this southern tier would be the Eastern Canadian Shield taiga that covers northern Quebec and most of Labrador. Within the boreal region, there are about 1,890,000 square kilometres that are 80% to 100% forested and another 650,000 square kilometres with 60% to 80% forest cover. Most trees native to

4888-582: The California Department of Fish and Game agreed to eliminate the environmental harm of its stocking practices, but when it filed its impact report in 2011, protection of native fish and amphibians was clearly not a priority. The agency was brought to court again but was promptly denied. With the state Commission denying the Department of Fish and Game's proposed changes for fish stocking, private hatcheries continue to stock state waters under

4992-497: The Canadian boreal are conifers , with needle leaves and cones. These include: black spruce , white spruce , balsam fir , larch (tamarack), lodgepole pine , and jack pine . A few are broad-leaved species: trembling and large-toothed aspen , cottonwood and white birch , and balsam poplar . There are large areas of black spruce, a species which is tolerant of shallow soil, permafrost and waterlogged substrates, although as

5096-612: The Northern Boreal lands. In February 2010 the Canadian government established protection for 5,300 square miles (14,000 km ) of boreal forest by creating a new reserve of 4,100 square miles (11,000 km ) in the Mealy Mountains area of eastern Canada and a waterway provincial park of 1,200 square miles (3,100 km ) that follows alongside the Eagle River from headwaters to sea. A report issued in 2011 by

5200-497: The Pew Environment Group described the Canadian boreal forest as the largest natural storage of freshwater in the world. The boreal forest is deeply ingrained in the Canadian identity and the images foreigners have of Canada. The history of the early European fur traders , their adventures, discoveries, aboriginal alliances and misfortunes is an essential part of the popular colonial history of Canada. The canoe,

5304-489: The US, grossing $ 720 million that year. Many species of fish including grass carp and the suckermouth catfish help clean bodies of water by eating algae and other green organisms. Algae can take over stagnant ponds, attracting insects and making lakes, rivers, and ponds unpleasant to look at. To treat them, many individuals will choose to stock certain species of fish. This creates a positive externality for those who enjoy

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5408-460: The Western states. In the US, common species that are currently stocked for sport include trout , bass , salmon , muskellunge , walleye , and several species of panfish . Before being released into rivers, lakes, ponds, and occasionally oceans across the country, fish are raised in a fish hatchery . Just like humans have a demand for groceries, anglers have a demand for fish. When the supply

5512-607: The Wilderness Research Institute claim that fish stocking compromises the "naturalness" of aquatic ecosystems and that protecting water quality is more important than recreational opportunities. Although stocking programs were designed to boost conservation, in some cases they have harmed them. The increased boat traffic associated with better fishing opportunities creates negative externalities. These include water contamination, congestion, noise pollution, and disruption of wilderness experiences. When stocking

5616-596: The Yukon . In this western part of the boreal forest, there are, for example 127 species of grass ( Poaceae ), 118 species of Asteraceae , 115 species of sedge ( Cyperaceae ), 93 species of crucifer ( Brassicaceae ), 52 species of Rosaceae , 37 species of Saxifragaceae and 36 members of the snapdragon family ( Scrophulariaceae ). Overall, the flora has 1112 species – there are even 15 species of orchids. Canada's boreal landscape contains more lakes and rivers than any comparably sized landmass on Earth. It has been estimated that

5720-399: The accumulated peat in the soil, and the predominance of coniferous trees, lightning-caused fire has always been a natural part of this forest. It is one of many ecosystems that depend upon such recurring natural disturbance. For example, fire dependent species like lodgepole and jack pine have resin sealed cones. In a fire, the resin melts and the cones open, allowing seeds to scatter so that

5824-528: The arts. The Canadian boreal forest is a very large bio-region that extends in length from the Yukon-Alaska border right across the country to Newfoundland and Labrador. It is over 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) in width (north to south) separating the arctic tundra region from the various landscapes of southern Canada. The taiga growth (as defined in North America) along the northern flank of

5928-589: The basic responsibility and authority of the States to manage fish and resident wildlife." In the future, if more differences in opinion between state and federal managers arise, there may be a need for increased cooperation and coordination between state and federal wilderness managers. Colorado, for example, has regulations to control the stocking of nonnative fish, but only below 6,500 feet. To find out more about each state's fish stocking regulations, visit their respective Department of Fish and Wildlife websites. Today,

6032-573: The beaver pelt, the coureur des bois , the voyageurs , the Hudson's Bay Company and the North-West Mounted Police , the construction of Canada's transcontinental railways – all are symbols of Canadian history familiar to school children that are inextricably linked to the boreal forest. The forest – and boreal species such as the caribou and loon – are or have been featured on Canadian currency. Another iconic and enduring image of

6136-472: The bodies of water that are stocked or otherwise accessible for fishing and recreation include McDougal Creek , Lost Echo Creek , Upper and Lower Fishing Lakes , the Gem Lakes, Summit Lake , Lost Echo Lake , Zeden Lake , Laycock Lake, Fairy Glen Lake, and Stickley Lake. The southern tip of Little Bear Lake is in Narrow Hills Provincial Park and just north of the park boundary on the eastern shore of

6240-663: The boreal and other forest regions. Since the early 1990s, a strong impetus has been created to focus on conserving Canada's boreal legacy and sustainably managing economic activity within the entire region. The Canadian boreal is largely intact and available for multiple uses like timber harvest, recreation and hunting. Forestry companies have come to adopt the management practices known as eco-system based management, which takes into consideration criteria and indicators for sustainability – social, economic and environmental. A number of key principles have come to underpin Canadian forestry practices as mandated by forestry legislation, including

6344-483: The boreal forest creates a transition to the tundra region at the northern tree line . On the southwestern flank, the boreal forest extends into sub-alpine and lower elevation areas of northern British Columbia . The central interior of the province is occupied by a sub-boreal transition zone between the main boreal forest and the dry forests of the southern interior. However, across the Prairie Provinces ,

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6448-459: The boreal forest, there is a considerable diversity of other kinds of plants. An accurate summary is difficult, since most compendia on plants are organized by political, rather than ecological boundaries; one exception addresses the flora of the Hudson Bay Lowland , but much of this area is not forested. One portion of the boreal forest can be used to illustrate plant diversity; consider the Flora of

6552-470: The boreal makes an important contribution to the rural and aboriginal economies of Canada, primarily through resource industries, recreation, hunting, fishing and eco-tourism. Hundreds of cities and towns within its territory derive at least 20% of their economic activity from the forest, mainly from industries like forest products, mining, oil and gas and tourism. The boreal forest also plays an iconic role in Canada's history, economic and social development and

6656-624: The boreal region contains over 1.5 million lakes with a minimum surface area of 40,000 m (430,000 sq ft) as well as some of Canada's largest lakes. Soft water lakes predominate in central and eastern Canada and hard water lakes predominate in Western Canada. Most large boreal lakes have cold water species of fish like trout and whitefish, while in warmer waters, species may include northern pike , walleye , and smallmouth bass . The boreal forest also has vast areas of wetland , particularly bogs and fens . Two wetland areas,

6760-494: The boreal was created by 20th-century landscape painters, most notably from the Group of Seven , who saw the uniqueness of Canada in its boreal vastness. The Group of Seven artists largely portrayed the boreal as natural, pure and unspoiled by human presence or activity and hence only partly a reflection of reality. [REDACTED] Media related to Boreal forest of Canada at Wikimedia Commons Fish stocking Fish stocking

6864-799: The decline of some major species of wildlife is a concern. Boreal woodland caribou , whose lichen-rich, mature forest habitat spans the boreal forest from the Northwest Territories to Labrador , is designated as a threatened by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada . The Newfoundland population of marten is threatened by habitat loss, accidental trapping and prey availability. The boreal forests keeps large amounts of carbons in biomass, dead organic matter, and soil pools. Due to cold temperatures, significant amounts of carbon stocks have been built up, this combined with

6968-560: The ecology of lakes and rivers was not well understood. To maximize the benefits of stocking and control the costs, fish must be stocked strategically in places where they can be enjoyed but do not pose a threat to native species. Although there are many benefits of stocking, some groups, including the Pacific Rivers Council , believe that it diverts money away from more effective conservation and protection efforts. In addition, declining populations of native golden trout ,

7072-469: The effects of stocking fish compared to habitat-based interventions (i.e. creating shallow zones and adding coarse woody habitats). Over a period of six years, they closely monitored the fish population response in each lake. The study revealed that species-focused fish stocking was completely unsuccessful and demonstrated the potential for ecosystem-based management to better meet conservation goals. Stocking fish provides various benefits to society. Fishing

7176-421: The forest carbon balance as well, including the combustion emissions and the after effects. The particular mixture of tree species depends upon factors including soil moisture, soil depth, and organic content. Upland forests can be closely mixed with forested peatlands. The resulting conifer forests are produced by and dependent upon recurring disturbance from storms, fires, floods and insect outbreaks. Owing to

7280-411: The forest sector are replanted or regenerated naturally. However, the resulting road network from logging has effects that persist long beyond the period of harvest; indeed, one can make the case that road construction is one of the most harmful and persistent effects of logging. There may be as many as five billion landbirds, including resident and migratory species. The Canadian boreal region contains

7384-486: The further increasing temperatures and disturbance rates will lead to the high net source of carbon that will remain for more than a hundred years. This will result in global impacts which researchers are still uncertain about. Direct effects of herbivores can lead to boreal landscapes as there may be decreased regeneration in some local forest patches. This is altering the input of soils, which could affect soil compaction, and density, or reduce microbial and nitrogen levels in

7488-435: The future health of boreal forests. Because parts of the boreal forest region are found in nearly every province and territory in Canada, there has not been much in the way of coordinated planning to develop the region. Prime Minister Diefenbaker talked of his "northern vision" but little was done to see it come to pass. A proposal was authored by Richard Rohmer in 1967 called Mid-Canada Development Corridor: A Concept and

7592-535: The lake is Little Bear Lake Recreation Site . Piprell Lake Recreation Site is immediately west of the park boundary at the northern end of Piprell Lake . Other nearby provincial parks include Clarence-Steepbank Lakes Provincial Park and Candle Lake Provincial Park . There are four campgrounds suitable for RV camping. These include Baldy Lake Campground, Ispuchaw Lake Campground, Zeden Lake Campground, and Lower Fishing Lake Campground. In addition to these, there are several tenting-only campgrounds throughout

7696-446: The landbirds in all of Canada and almost 30% of all landbirds in the United States and Canada combined. Many of the wildlife species, are, like the forests, dependent upon natural disturbance from fire and insect outbreaks. For example, at least three species of warbler (Cape May warbler, bay-breasted warbler and Tennessee warbler), have distributions and abundance related to spruce budworm outbreaks. The black-backed woodpecker shows

7800-410: The largest area of wetlands of any ecosystem of the world, serving as breeding ground for over 12 million waterbirds and millions of land birds, the latter including species as diverse as vultures, hawks, grouse, owls, hummingbirds , kingfishers , woodpeckers , and passerines (or perching birds, often referred to as songbirds). It is estimated that the avian population of the boreal represents 60% of

7904-433: The lower boreal regions. Large populations of trembling aspen and willow are found in the southernmost parts of the Boreal Plains. One dominant characteristic of the boreal is that much of it consists of large, even-aged stands, a uniformity that owes to a cycle of natural disturbances like forest fires, or outbreaks of pine beetle or spruce budworm that kill large tracts of forest with cyclical regularity. For example,

8008-521: The many stands of white spruce, black spruce, and balsam fir are vulnerable to the cyclical outbreaks of a species of the spruce budworm, the Choristoneura fumiferana . Since the melting of the great ice sheet, the boreal forest has been through many cycles of natural death through fire, insect outbreaks and disease, followed by regeneration. Prior to European colonization of Canada and the application of modern firefighting equipment and techniques,

8112-655: The most thinly treed areas where the growing season and average tree size progressively shrinks until the edge of the Arctic tundra is reached. The southern tier of the boreal meanwhile consists of three other ecozones that form the largely uninterrupted or continuous forest in stretching as far south as Lake Superior in Ontario (as the Central Canadian Shield forests ecoregion) and the Manitoba-North Dakota border. These three southern zones are

8216-600: The natural burn/regeneration cycle was less than 75 to 100 years, and it still is in many areas. Terms like old growth and ancient forest have a different connotation in the boreal context than they do when used to describe mature coastal rain forests with longer-lived species and different natural disturbance cycles. However, the effects of forest fires and insect outbreaks differ from the effects of logging, so they should not be treated as equivalent in their ecological consequences. Logging, for example, requires road networks with their negative impacts, and it removes nutrients from

8320-482: The number of endangered or extirpated species. Many of the fish commonly used for stocking also have low reproductive rates and tend to be overfished if not stocked annually. Moreover, as stocked fish tend to contain larger trophy fish, many anglers are more willing to pay for a fishing license , meaning state fishing departments have more revenue to spend on natural resource management and conservation efforts. In 2018, there were roughly 30 million paid license holders in

8424-500: The obligation for forestry companies operating on public lands to fully regenerate all areas harvested for timber and to consult the public on the preparation of forest management/harvest plans submitted to the relevant provincial authorities. As a result of growing public concern with sustainable development and conserving the integrity of the boreal forests, conservation initiatives are progressing on various fronts. The area in national and provincial parks and protected conservation areas

8528-504: The opportunity to enjoy nature in solitude and escape from their busy lives. It is a form of exercise and a great way to bond with friends and family; fishing has also been linked to increased patience among children. According to a survey by the Outdoor Foundation, 60.3% of fishermen report fishing as a means of getting exercise, 59.1% report fishing to bond with family, and 51.2% report fishing to be close to nature and observe

8632-442: The opportunity to fish in stocked lakes and ponds in the future. Each state has its own regulations regarding fish stocking. Though some state stocking programs restore native populations, others compromise the ecological values of the wilderness areas. The Bureau of Land Management regulates that fishless waters may only be stocked after considering the scientific value of the waters on a case-by-case basis. Fish stocking, however,

8736-405: The park. Wilderness campgrounds can be found at McDougal Creek , and the lakes of Lost Echo , Stickley, Jade, Diamond, and Opal. Located on the southern shore of Upper Fishing Lake is Caribou Creek Lodge, which offers a motel, cabins, a dining room, fuel, and a convenience store. Pine Ridge Resort is located on Lower Fishing Lake and has beach access, a boat launch, cabins, RV camping, and

8840-508: The park. Other highways in the park include 120 , 913 , and 920 . Narrow Hills offers a variety of recreational facilities and opportunities. These include sport fishing , hiking , and camping . The park contains 25 bodies of water suitable for fishing and another 30 within an hour's drive. In addition to the native walleye , yellow perch , whitefish , and northern pike , the park contains stocked trout species including brown , lake , brook , cutthroat , rainbow , and tiger . Some of

8944-464: The past four decades for hydroelectric projects. As of 2005 , Canada as a whole has 91% of the boreal forest cover that existed at the dawn of European settlement. More deforestation has occurred outside the boreal region, in more southerly areas of the country. The forest sector annually harvests approximately ½ of 1% of the region. However, this is not considered deforestation by some, given that provincial laws are meant to ensure that areas harvested by

9048-455: The permanent conversion of forest area to non-forest due to activities associated with agriculture, urban or recreational development, oil and gas development, and flooding for hydroelectric projects. In Alberta, the province with the largest oil and gas industry, more trees are cut for agriculture or oil and gas exploration than for timber. In Eastern Canada, over 9,000 km (3,500 sq mi) of peatlands and forest have been flooded over

9152-451: The population of threatened / endangered fish species that is pressured by prior overfishing , habitat destruction , and/or competition from invasive species . Fish stocking may be conducted by governmental fisheries management agencies, non-profit organizations, and voluntary associations in public waters, or by for-profit NGOs, clubs and commercial enterprises in privately owned waters. When in public waters, fish stocking creates

9256-670: The practice. In the United States, stocking non-native fish for sport and food was just beginning in 1871 when the US Fish Commission was established. The head of the new agency, Spencer Fullerton Baird , was tasked to research "the decrease of the food fishes of the seacoasts and the lakes of the United States and to suggest remedial measures". Baird made his headquarters at Woods Hole on Cape Cod , Massachusetts . There, his team of scientists and researchers conducted studies on striped bass , blue fish and many other commercial and sport fish. They compiled their research into

9360-484: The productivity of forest trees is highly dependent on the rate at which mineral elements such as nitrogen and phosphorus are recycled by litterfall and decomposition. After logging, the loss of nutrients may convert forested areas into shrub barrens dominated by shrubs such as sheep-laurel . Many of the plant species are fire-dependent, since fire removes neighbouring plants, and recycles nutrients locked in organic matter. Although there are rather few species of trees in

9464-691: The same permit regulations. The Department aimed to require that all hatcheries and fisheries pay for biological assessment before stocking, thus preventing many of its negative consequences. However, the state of California made it clear that it will not make fisheries go through the stringent permitting process. In February of 2015, the California Third District of Appeals struck down the Department of Fish and Wildlife's permitting requirement on recreational fishing, which would have essentially driven fish farms and hatcheries out of business. This ruling ensures fishermen in California will have

9568-470: The same time, make sure that the existing fish in the pond are not significantly larger than the ones being added. For a standard one-quarter acre pond, it is recommended to stock 120 sunfish, 60 yellow perch, 15 largemouth bass, and 8 pounds of fathead minnows. One way to determine what kinds of fish are already living in a given body of water is to monitor local streams, rivers, and lakes and record what species of fish are being caught. The best time to stock

9672-523: The scenery. Some of the fish caught are also large, providing a source of nutrition to successful fishermen. Roughly 40% of fishermen eat the fish they catch, according to a survey by the Outdoor Foundation. Stocking can also restore threatened, endangered, or native fish species. The Union for Conservation of Nature's red list of endangered species has 1,414 species of fish that are at risk of extinction. Stocking them into lakes, rivers, and streams can support existing populations that are threatened and reduce

9776-514: The site, which may deplete nutrients for the next cycle of forest growth. Fire, on the other hand, recycles nutrients on location (except for some nitrogen), it removes accumulated organic matter and it stimulates reproduction of fire-dependent species. Canada's boreal region can be divided into seven ecozones. These seven can be divided into two main groups. The northern regions of the boreal forest consists of four eco-zones – Taiga Cordillera, Taiga Plains, Taiga Shield and Hudson Plains – that are

9880-476: The soil. At high abundance, large herbivores often choose palatable, fast-growing plants which keep keystone species in boreal forests juvenile, which changes these forests. This moose-led transition in forest age class distribution and composition causes slower increases in net primary production with lower large herbivore populations. This means that they are not only changing boreal forests from carbon sinks to sources over moderate periods. Wildfires have impacts on

9984-470: The stocking practice. Mating between native and introduced fish species can lower the fitness of natural populations, thereby introducing diseases that affect fish and other wildlife. In fact, a study conducted in Virginian streams found that an infectious virus was found only in brook trout populations that had a history of stocking. These diseases may affect humans who consume them as well. Maintaining

10088-400: The trailhead and parking lot located at the north-west corner of Jade Lake. Along the trail, located at Jade, Diamond, and Opal Lakes, are eight wilderness campsites. The trail wanders along shorelines and up wooded ridges that provide lookouts and vantage points. There are several interpretive panels along the route and each lake is stocked with native fish species. Access to the lakes is from

10192-593: The water without damaging native fishery. In 2005, California's Center for Biological Diversity submitted a petition to the Department of Fish and Game requesting that the state initiate a review of its fish stocking practices. The reform campaign aimed to protect existing habitats and native populations of fish and amphibians. Finally, in 2008, the Sacramento Superior Court ordered the state to consult with various groups in finding ways to protect native species from fish stocking practices. Initially,

10296-521: The world. The Canadian boreal forest in its current form began to emerge with the end of the last Ice Age. With the retreat of the Wisconsin Ice Sheet 10,000 years ago, spruce and northern pine migrated northward and were followed thousands of years later by fir and birch. About 5,000 years ago, the Canadian boreal began to resemble what it is today in terms of species composition and biodiversity. This type of coniferous forest vegetation

10400-501: The wrong lakes or rivers. In many cases, this had disastrous consequences. When fish, specifically trout , are stocked into ecologically sensitive bodies of water, invertebrate populations and amphibians are threatened, altering the natural selection pressures within the ecosystem. Stocked rainbow trout have been outcompeting native brook trout in many southeastern United States bodies of water, for example. Even bird populations such as cormorants are affected. According to findings by

10504-536: Was discussed by officials and politicians but was never implemented. In 2014, John van Nostrand attempted to revive the concept. In the absence of a nationwide plan, private industry and the provinces have pursued development in particular products or certain regions. These include the Athabasca Oil Sands in Alberta, the Ring of Fire (Northern Ontario) , and Quebec's Plan Nord . Forest land in Canada

10608-465: Was estimated that the annual harvest in the boreal was about 7,500 square kilometres per year, equivalent to about 0.2% of the total Canadian boreal forest. The sharp downturn in the market for lumber because of the collapse of the housing market in the United States that began in 2006, coupled with import tariff and tax barriers, have knocked the bottom out of Canada's forest industry. In Ontario, Canada's most populous province, where most forestry activity

10712-468: Was not well recorded; the singular goal of stocking was to enhance sport fishing regardless of ecological ramifications such as erosion of biodiversity . As Pister states, "When trout planting was first implemented, the nation was gripped with a highly utilitarian resource management ethic that placed short-term human interests above virtually any other consideration". Recently, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service along with state fishery branches have done

10816-416: Was to plant as many fish as possible into as many bodies of water as possible. Now, with knowledge of the detrimental effects fish stocking has on invertebrate and amphibian populations, it is conducted much more selectively. Today, much more thought is put into introducing non-native species as they can severely damage the populations of fragile natives; practices lean more towards sustainability. Stocking

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