Allowing dogs to roam off-leash is helping to destroy fragile ecosystems like urban forests, say two scientists interviewed by The duty. By leaving trails, dogs trample young trees and native plants, which damages forest regeneration and contributes to the emergence of invasive species.
At Summit Woods, in Westmount, one of the three peaks of Mount Royal defined as a “bird and wildflower sanctuary”, dogs, accompanied by their master, can go off-leash for several hours of the day, creating the debate (see second text).
“Mature trees are little or not affected by [la présence de chiens sans laisse]but it is the future of the forest that is at stake,” insists Alain Paquette, professor of biology at the University of Quebec in Montreal and holder of the research chair on the urban forest.
Young trees, such as undergrowth and spring plants, suffer from trampling – whether caused by dogs or by hikers straying from the path. “This is a major problem for the regeneration of the understory flora and for the possible replacement of trees. »
At the same time, trampling creates holes in the forest, which creates an environment that promotes the appearance of invasive species, explains the professor who studied the Papineau forests in Laval, an ancient forest where dogs also walked off-leash a few years ago.
“When an undergrowth is healthy, it tends to resist the appearance of invasive exotic plants because it takes up space,” he says. But the appearance of holes creates entry points for these plants, which are more resistant to trampling. Sea buckthorn or wood beetle, for example, then takes the place of native plants, such as trillium.
Although these changes in the forest are slow and difficult to perceive for hikers, they represent “a profound transformation of the dynamics of a forest, which will mean that eventually we will no longer have a natural forest”.
More pressure
A concern shared by Emma Despland, professor of ecology at Concordia University and member, like Alain Paquette, of the Forest Study Center. “We see the forest deteriorating,” says this Westmount resident who walks in Summit Woods. A degradation which is partly caused by the same pressures that other forests in the region are facing, due to the emerald ash borer, the arrival of invasive species and especially climate change.
“But dogs are an additional pressure,” says the researcher, also pointing to the harmful effects of trampling. No other major park in Montreal allows the presence of off-leash dogs, she points out. SEPAQ and Parks Canada parks also prohibit the presence of off-leash dogs.
“I understand that dog owners want a place where they can walk their dog. This is a perfectly reasonable request. But should it be in the only old growth forest to be found in Westmount? » asks Emma Despland.
The fact that dogs have been allowed on a leash at Summit Woods for decades is not a sufficient argument in his eyes. What was possible in the 1990s or 2000s is no longer necessarily possible today in times of climate emergency, she claims. “If we are serious about our desire to alleviate the biodiversity crisis and protect our old forests, it is not really consistent to allow dogs off-leash. Yes, it is a shame for those who lose this privilege, but it is a privilege that is no longer truly realistic. »
Preserve
In an interview at DutyWestmount Mayor Christina Smith says she’s convinced it’s possible to both preserve Summit Woods and let dogs off-leash there.
“People love it. It’s an aspect of Westmount [le fait de pouvoir promener leurs chiens sans laisse] which people really appreciate,” she says. To date, the city has not conducted an environmental assessment to analyze the impact of dogs on Summit Woods. But next year the municipality will prepare a comprehensive plan for its three large parks, including Summit Woods. “This will cover environmental protection,” assures the mayor.
Until now, the debate over the presence of off-leash dogs has been “relatively civilized” in Westmount, reports Ralph Thompson, a reporter for the weekly. Westmount Independent. However, he notes that the degradation of the forest can be felt in several places, especially along the paths, which have become wider over the years as they gain access to the forest.
“If we need to make changes in the future, we can look at it,” says Christina Smith. Already to promote the preservation of Summit Woods, the mayor plans to block the unofficial paths in the forest that appeared during the pandemic. She also raises the possibility that parts of the forest will be closed, in rotation, to promote its regeneration, as is the case at Mount Royal. Efforts are also being made to combat invasive species, she assures.
“It’s an urban forest, so there are challenges that come with it,” says the mayor. I know we need investment. »
