The spread of gray birch (Betula populifolia) in eastern Quebec: landscape and historical considerations

The understanding of recent changes of the spatial distribution of tree species occurring in agricultural landscapes is essential to realistically predict future positions of the range limit of tree species. In Quebec (Canada), it has recently been suggested that gray birch (Betula populifolia Marsh.) is spreading rapidly eastward. We tested the hypothesis that this tree migration is strongly facilitated by human activities. Herbarium specimens, historical landscape reconstructions, botanical surveys in mined peatlands and old fields, and dendrochronological data were used to reconstruct past and recent distribution limits of gray birch in the study area (Bas-Saint-Laurent region). Gray birch has been present in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region since at least 1945. However, herbarium specimens and botanical surveys indicate that gray birch individuals were scarce before 1970. The introduction of gray birch in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region seems to be associated with peat mining activities. All mined peatlands located between Rivière-Ouelle and Isle-Verte were colonized by gray birch, but only 11% of old fields surveyed contained at least one gray birch individual. This suggests that the spread of an early successional tree species in an agricultural landscape is facilitated more by the presence of a few large patches favorable to the growth of the species (mined peatlands) than by numerous small patches (old fields). The recent expansion of gray birch populations in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region could be a major concern for peat mining companies because massive invasions of gray birch in abandoned mined bogs may impede successful restoration of these ecosystems.Key words: Betula populifolia, gray birch, Quebec, peatland, old field, landscape ecology.