During an environmental dig conducted for the Trans Mountain Expansion Project (TMEP) near Celestine Road in Jasper National Park, Alberta, a rare aquatic moss called Fissidens grandifrons was discovered. This moss is formally designated as a rare species within the Province of British Columbia. Despite its designation, very little is currently known about this unique moss, and there are no documented cases of it being salvaged or transplanted to aid biologists in safely relocating it.
Fissidens grandifrons is typically found in undisturbed forests, particularly in old-growth areas. Interestingly, the area where the moss was found had seven distinct populations within the dig footprint, even though it had been dug up 7-8 years prior. This suggests that the moss was able to establish itself quickly and is thriving in its current environment. The Environmental team at Simpcw Resources LLP is currently working to locate photos taken of the moss during the last disturbance to gather more information.
The moss appears to exclusively inhabit the surface of rocks anchored in calcareous soils consisting of coarse and fine sands, small rocks, and fragments resembling shells or calcium build-up. To gain further insight, the environmental team plans to take soil samples for additional testing.
Simpcw Resources LLP’s Environmental division comprises a multi-disciplinary team of professionals and technical staff with expertise in environmental management, resource ecology, water resource management, resource planning, environmental auditing, vegetation and wildlife science, and resource assessment. Their diverse skill set allows them to address various aspects of environmental preservation and management associated with projects like the Trans Mountain Expansion Project.