Lucas Brehaut anticipated considerable interest in his research, but the wildlife in Newfoundland’s wilderness has taken a keen interest in his work, often causing damage to his equipment.
As a wildfire research scientist with the Canadian Forest Service, Brehaut is investigating the regeneration of forests in Atlantic Canada post wildfires, which are becoming more frequent despite the region’s cooler and wetter climate compared to the rest of the country.
Following a forest fire near Grand Falls-Windsor, N.L., in 2022, Brehaut embarked on a study to observe forest regrowth in a warming planet due to climate change. To conduct his research, he and his team had to transport 19 open-top chambers (OTCs) through the forest to place them around planted seedlings. These OTCs function as small greenhouses, raising temperatures by one to three degrees to simulate the effects of a warming planet. Brehaut’s study is currently in its third year of a five-year span.
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Brehaut was prepared for challenges such as arduous treks in challenging terrain and the harsh Newfoundland weather. However, during a routine check-in in September 2023, he encountered an unexpected issue.
He discovered that various animals, including caribou, moose, black bears, wolves, rabbits, and owls, had been visiting the research sites and causing damage to the equipment. Cameras initially set up to monitor snow depth during winter revealed the culprits.
Out of the 19 sites, 11 had experienced damage at some point. Animals not only damaged the
