Tree and forest encroachment into fescue grasslands on the Cypress Hills plateau, southeast Alberta, Canada

Abstract

Tree encroachment into rough fescue ( Festuca campestris) grassland has been identified as an ecological concern on the Cypress Hills plateau in southeastern Alberta, Canada. A combination of field sampling (109 transects), a dendrochronological assessment (1361 trees), and a time series analysis of remotely sensed images from five different time periods (1950–2002) were used to determine the extent and rate of tree encroachment and forest development. Tree cover increased by 768 ha (∼51%) between 1950 and 2007, representing 10% of the study area, from 1502 ha of pre-1950 forest. Post-1950 tree invasion also created an ingress zone of 750 ha (∼10% of study area) based on field transects. Forest cover increased at a consistent rate of 14.3 ha/year. Lodgepole pine ( Pinus contorta var. latifolia) was the most common tree species associated with encroachment. Invasion based on the number of established trees occurred at an exponential rate of 3.1%/year after 1890, with density increased by filling spaces adjacent to and between trees within the grassland vegetation. The rate of tree establishment increased to 4.4%/year after 1980, suggesting a change occurred in environmental conditions. Annual atmospheric temperatures increased 0.55 °C from 1929 to 2005 ( P < 0.001), with winter (December–February) and spring (March–May) temperatures accounting for most of the increase ( P < 0.001), whereas summer (June–August) temperatures slightly decreased ( P < 0.050, 0.34 °C) and precipitation increased ( P < 0.005, 30 mm). Cattle and elk ( Cervus elaphus) grazing was not considered a primary factor for explaining tree encroachment. Based on multidimensional scaling, lodgepole pine establishment was associated with warmer spring temperatures and greater fall (October–November) precipitation. A landscape devoid of wildfires, combined with greater moisture availability, and a longer frost-free season is likely conducive to the sustained establishment of coniferous trees and forest development within the Cypress Hills fescue grassland ecosystem. Long-term conservation of the fescue grasslands could be possible by reintroducing fire.