Natural values

This area is unique among the forest ecoregions of Newfoundland and Labrador. Its main features are long ribbed moraines or ridges in balsam fir forest, with yellow birch growing on the north slopes. Low elevations and a damp maritime climate combine to produce an amazing abundance of mosses and lichens, including the globally rare lichen erioderma pedicellatum.

The Ripple Pond area is the best, relatively intact example of the Avalon Forest Ecoregion, the smallest of the province's 35 ecoregions. Creating an ecological reserve in the area will provide the best degree of protection relative to the serious level of threat that the area faces. Ripple Pond is close to two-thirds of the province’s population and is under pressure from cabin development, logging roads and logging.

The Ripple Pond area is the best,
relatively intact example of the
Avalon Forest Ecoregion
  (Photo: Protected Areas Association)

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Wildlife

Birds that eat a largely seed diet, such as the pine grosbeak and white-winged crossbill, are often found in the forests of this ecoregion. As well, insect eaters, such as the northern waterthrush, yellow-bellied flycatcher, and yellow-rumped warbler, are attracted to the area because of the tremendous food resources available.

Examples of birds that reside year-round in this ecoregion are the boreal owl, boreal chickadee, and gray jay. Some waterfowl, such as the green-winged teal, ring-necked duck, and common goldeneye, breed along the edges of ponds, although not in large numbers.

Mammals observed in the forests and shrub habitats of this ecoregion include moose, lynx, snowshoe hare, and mink. Red fox can be found in a variety of habitats in the Avalon Forest ecoregion, while beaver, otter, and muskrat occur in aquatic areas.

Atlantic salmon, brook trout, brown trout, rainbow smelt, American eel, and three-spine and nine-spine sticklebacks inhabit ponds and streams. The green frog, a species introduced to the Island, has been found in quiet ponds and marshes.

Coconut Waters
 (Photo: Protected Areas Association)

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Recreational use and eco-tourism

The area has a scheduled salmon river, the Colinet, a big moose population, and a wealth of unspoiled canoe routes. Combines with its other natural features, the proposed Ripple Pond Ecological Reserve has real tourism potential.

Avalon Forest and
Maritime Barrens ecoregions

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