Decreased fire frequency and increased water levels affect riparian forest dynamics in southwestern boreal Quebec, Canada

Abstract

The relative importance of fire and flooding on the population dynamics of eastern white-cedar ( Thuja occidentalis L.) and black ash ( Fraxinus nigra Marsh.) was evaluated in eight old-growth riparian stands of southwestern boreal Quebec, Canada. Rising water levels and decreasing fire frequency since the end of the Little Ice Age (ca. 1850) were expected to have favoured an inland migration of the riparian forest fringe, with the flood-tolerant black ash colonizing the lower parts of the shore terraces and eastern white-cedar the upper parts. Black ash was found to be restricted to the riparian zone (<200 cm elevation), whereas eastern white-cedar trees did not occur below 100 cm above lake level. Gaps of postfire eastern white-cedar recruitment were noted in stands exposed to riparian disturbances, whereas relatively continuous recruitment occurred at protected sites. Black ash, more tolerant to flooding and ice push, invaded the shore terrace sites left vacant by eastern white-cedar. The riparian forest fringe surrounding Lake Duparquet is currently migrating upland and this trend is expected to continue as water levels continue to increase and fire frequency continues to decrease during the 21st century.