The overall condition of Gatineau Park is “good”, confirms the National Capital Commission’s (NCC) Status Report on Gatineau Park Ecosystems. In 2006, it was deemed “acceptable.” The Status Report on Gatineau Park Ecosystems seeks to evaluate the health of Gatineau Park’s ecosystems by measuring up to 10 years of data against ecological health indicators. This status report looks at the long-term trends in Gatineau Park, and identifies several issues of concern. The status report will also inform the renewal of the Gatineau Park Master Plan, which will be completed by 2021. Since the launch of the Gatineau Park Conservation Plan (2010), the NCC has made progress on addressing issues of concern, and will continue to work with its partners, stakeholders and municipalities to improve the ecological health of the Park.

1. Status Report on
Gatineau Park Ecosystems
April 2016
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2. Purpose of report
• Provides assessment of ecosystem health
• Identifies trends and issues for concern
• Provides input to the Gatineau Park Master
Plan Review
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3. Background
• 2005: Gatineau Park Master Plan confirms conservation
goals
• 2006: First assessment of ecosystem health:
Acceptable and stable condition
• 2006-present: Monitor ecological health indicators
• 2013-2014: Revision of indicators
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4. Revised Indicators
• Relevance of results to park management
• Comprehensiveness: biodiversity, processes, stressors
• Application to Valued Natural Ecosystems and Habitats
• Ability to define thresholds (i.e. good, fair, poor
condition)
• Ease of implementation (in-house,
students)
• Low cost
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5. Ecosystem Health Indicators
Indicator Management Question Biodiversity Stressor Ecosystem
Function
Loons Impact of aquatic recreational activity, pollution  
Water quality (Lakes and streams) Impact of recreational and other activities on aquatic habitat
 
Frogs Habitat quality in wetlands, effects of stressors  
Nesting birds Habitat quality in different ecosystems, general index of biodiversity

Invasive plant species Presence and expansion of non-native aggressive species  
White-tailed deer Impact of deer on vegetation  
Soil fertility Forest ecosystem functioning 
Plant species at risk Impact of recreational activities on species at risk 
Fragmentation Effect of linear disturbance on habitat quality and connectivity 
Shoreline condition Impact of human activity and land management practices on shorelines

Landscape connectivity Degree of connection between park and surrounding natural areas  
Infrastructure footprint Impact of infrastructure on habitat quality and quality 
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6. High Level Results by Ecosystem
Valued Natural Ecosystem or
Habitat Loons Streams Lakes Shorelines
Eardley Escarpment
Eardley Plateau
Lac La Pêche
Pink Lake
Chain of Three Lakes
Folly Bog
Des Fées Lake
Trend
Improving
Stable
Deteriorating
Good
Fair
Poor
Ecological condition
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7. High level result – general indicators
General indicators
Frogs
Invasive Plants
Deer
Soil Fertility
Fragmentation (IDP)
Infrastructure
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8. Overall Condition
• Generally condition of park is good:
– Water quality of lakes and streams
– Biodiversity measures (frogs, loons,
deer impacts)
– Shorelines of La Pêche, Philippe lakes
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9. Emerging issues
• Fragmentation – trails
• Invasive species
• Shoreline improvement – Meech Lake road
• Lac des Fées environmental concerns
• Private home construction in the park
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10. Key results - Fragmentation
• Fragmentation level is high
• Landscape Fragmentation Index with trails
(unofficial and official) 0.10
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11. Key results - shorelines
76.1%
8.0%
15.9%
Shoreline Degradation
Meech Lake (2011)
82.5%
17.5%
Shoreline Degradation
Philippe Lake (2011)
62.4%
8.3%
29.3%
Shoreline degradation
des Fées Lake (2014)
98.7%
1.3%
Shoreline Degradation
la Pêche Lake (2011)
0-3% Light
3-15% Moderate
≥15% Major
Level of Shoreline Degradation
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12. Key results – Invasive species
Espèce
Surface area (m2)
(2006)1
Surface area (m2)
(2010)
Surface area (m2
(2013)
Expansion
2006-2013 (%)
Trend
Garlic Mustard 34 95 100 194.1
Eurasion Water milfoil 3193 8054 12847 302.3
Buckthorn 1.00 2.05 2.81 181.0
Purple Loosestrife 0. 1 0. 1 0 -100.0 -
Trend :
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13. Key results - des Fées Lake
0
10
20
30
40
Abundance
index
Frog Abundance des Fées Lake
2006
2010
2013
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14. Priority Management Actions
• Continue to work with trail users to reduce fragmentation
• Implement Action Plan for Invasive Species
• Implement Private Property Acquisition Strategy
• Work with partners to evaluate potential to restore Meech Lake shoreline
• Develop restoration plan for des Fées Lake
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15. Next steps
• Public release of Executive
Summary
• Input to Master Plan review
• Ongoing monitoring
• Remedial management actions
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