Scientists Call for Protections for Rare Moss if Nakiska Expansion Moves Ahead

Scientists monitoring a globally rare moss are calling for additional protections at Troll Falls, warning that increased visitation associated with Nakiska Ski Area's proposed summer expansion could put further pressure on a threatened species already in decline.

The concerns centre on Porsild's Bryum, a provincially and federally threatened moss found in only a small number of locations across North America and one site in East Asia.

Researchers say the species, which grows on shaded limestone cliffs kept moist by seepage and waterfall spray, appears to be declining at Troll Falls as drying conditions and human disturbance put pressure on the habitat.

The warnings come after Nakiska's proposed four-season expansion, which includes lift-serviced mountain biking and hiking intended to transform the ski hill into a year-round destination. While the project would not expand beyond the resort's current lease area in Kananaskis, it would open Nakiska's existing 1,600-vehicle parking lot to summer visitors.

As part of the proposal, Nakiska said the project would reshape recreation use in the area, telling Bow Valley Insider in April that summer operations would help redistribute visitors around the valley and "provide relief to the parking areas at Troll Falls trailhead" and other nearby recreation sites.

University of Alberta life and environmental sciences professor Rene Belland, who helped author the provincial recovery plan for Porsild's Bryum, said Nakiska's expansion could bring substantially more visitors to the area.

"I don't think there's any doubt that'll have an impact," said Belland.

While Troll Falls lies outside Nakiska's lease area and is managed by Alberta Forestry and Parks, Belland and biologist Ryan James say increased visitation could further disturb the moss habitat. 

James, who regularly monitors the Troll Falls population, said visitors already climb on rock faces behind the waterfall where the moss occurs.

"There are certainly motivated people who go behind the falls and climb on those rock faces," he said. "You risk dislodging the moss, and then it won't grow again."

James said he has observed signs of stress in recent years, including reduced seepage and the loss of at least one colony.

"In general, there is less water and less seepage, so that is affecting the moss," he said.

Belland said long-term monitoring suggests the population has been shrinking for years.

"The amount of water that is coming over the falls is decreasing every year," he said. "If I had to compare it to 15 years ago, there were a lot more colonies than there are today,"

Belland said some colonies that once existed near the upper falls have already disappeared, a trend he believes has been driven by a combination of drying conditions and human disturbance. Without additional protections, Belland said continued disturbance could contribute to further losses in a population that has already declined significantly over the past 15 years.

Belland said the species serves as an important indicator of broader environmental change.

"Rare species are important because usually they are the ones that are the first to disappear when the environment changes," he said. "They're like the canary in the coal mine."

Both researchers say additional protections should be put in place before visitation increases further.

James said trail realignments, barriers and logs have been used to discourage visitors from entering sensitive areas around the falls, but he believes fencing, trail stewards and visitor education could further reduce impacts on the moss habitat.

Belland said fencing would likely be the most effective solution.

"I think the best thing would really be to have a fence," he said. "A real border like a fence that is hard to get around."

While he acknowledged fencing would not stop everyone from entering restricted areas, Belland said it would significantly reduce disturbance by preventing visitors from accessing the ledges and cliff faces where the moss grows.

Nakiska's website notes that Troll Falls is located within Bow Valley Wildland Provincial Park and outside the resort's operating area. The resort says access is managed by Alberta Forestry and Parks and that it will comply with any requests related to Troll Falls access.

Belland said Alberta Parks would likely have primary responsibility for any protective measures, but argued Nakiska should also help address impacts associated with increased visitation.

"The problem is being exacerbated because of the ski hill, so they should probably take some responsibility and help out," he said.

Bow Valley Insider reached out to Nakiska for comment but did not receive a response before publication.