Fundy National Park

The arrival of European settlers had an adverse effect on the eco-system of Fundy National Park. In the 19th c. the developing timber industry meant that large areas of trees were cut down for ship-building. When the timber industry declined in the early years of this century the land was deserted. Attempts to mine ore failed, and only very few mines - which are now open to visitors - proved profitable. The topsoil was not deep enough to be properly cultivated, although a few farmers managed to scrape a living by diversifying. When the region was declared a National Park in 1948 the few remaining inhabitants received small sums in compensation and their houses were pulled down. Salmon, peregrine falcons and ermine, once frequent denizens of the park, had died out, and had to be laboriously imported over the last forty years or so and gradually familiarized with their new surroundings. The natural Arcadian Forest too, with its mixture of ash, elm, spruce, pine and fir, was severely affected by having trees cut down. Caterpillars of a certain species of moth which feed on pine and spruce-needles have seriously decimated the young trees planted in the place of the old. A new type of forest with a higher proportion of birch and small clearings has grown up. In spring in particular a brilliant display of flowers can be seen under the shade of the trees. Large ferns and rare orchids are a sight to behold.