Atlas of naturalized exotic plants in the Gaspésie National Park [version traduite de Atlas des plantes exotiques naturalisées du parc national de la Gaspésie]

Abstract

An atlas of naturalized exotic plants (NEP) was generated based on an exhaustive inventory of trails and service areas in Gaspésie National Park in 2021 and 2022. Colonies of 107 NEP taxa were recorded on the territory, and this richness was then compared with that of other protected areas in Québec and New Hampshire. Our comparative results suggest that colonization by exotic plants is a relatively recent phenomenon in the study area. NEP colony size and species richness are highest at low elevations where the main service areas are located. Eight exotic plant species are already reaching the alpine tundra, a number that could soon increase as an additional 31 species present in the study area are able to grow beyond the tree line in the White Mountains of New Hampshire