Shrinking snow threatens P.E.I. fields

‘We lose more than just a season,’ warns expert.

Difference in snow amounts at downtown Charlottetown, P.E.I. / Judith Mendiolea photo

As a child, Clay Cutting spent his winters exploring the woods of P.E.I., following animal tracks in the fresh snow and marvelling at how the forest seemed to sleep under its icy blanket.

But as years pass, those winters feel far away.

The Island’s landscapes, once blanketed by thick layers of snow, often alternate between icy rain and slush during what should be the coldest months. 

Rivers that used to freeze solid now swell with runoff after frequent winter rainstorms, carving new paths into eroding shorelines. The soft crunch of snow underfoot is often replaced by the sound of water pooling in low-lying fields, and the once-reliable snowbanks have turned into fleeting patches that melt long before spring arrives.

For Cutting, now a technician with the P.E.I. Invasive Species Council, this shift is more than just a seasonal inconvenience. 

"These days, we’re getting less snow and more rain in the winter," he said. "The environment is warming, and with it comes all kinds of changes — some you can see, and others you can’t."

Clay Cutting, technician with the P.E.I. Invasive Species Council, warns about the potential risk of invasive species spreading due to warmer winter temperatures.

One of the hidden changes is the rise of invasive species, thriving in the Island’s increasingly mild winters. Plants like the European highbush cranberry and multiflora rose now spread with ease, aided by birds eating their berries and dispersing seeds far and wide.

“As climate change continues to warm our environment, it will become less habitable for the species that have been here for a long time and more hospitable for invasive species,” Cutting said.

What’s lost when snow disappears

Stephanie Arnold, a climate services specialist at the School of Climate Change and Adaptation at UPEI and the strategy and innovation manager at Climatlantic, studies how climate change affects P.E.I.’s water systems and agriculture.

“Snow is perfect because it stays where it falls, and as it melts in the spring, it replenishes groundwater,” Arnold said. “That groundwater feeds our rivers and supports human and agricultural water needs.”

But as snowpack shrinks and heavy rains become more frequent, the damage to ecosystems and farmland is mounting.

“When there’s no snow and more rain in the winter, intense runoff events can carry nutrient-rich soil off fields, reducing soil quality and harming aquatic ecosystems,” Arnold explained.

Warmer winters also affect pollinators, whose disrupted natural cycles threaten biodiversity and crop yields. Arnold noted that the lack of cold weather confuses pollinators, keeping them active when no food is available.

“Pollinators aren’t receiving the signal to hibernate because it’s too warm,” she said. “They’re active when there’s no food, which disrupts ecosystems and puts their populations at risk.”

Stephanie Arnold, climate services specialist at the School of Climate Change and Adaptation at UPEI and the strategy and innovation manager at Climatlantic warns warmer P.E.I. winters can affect pollinators and agriculture. / Judith Mendiolea photo

The threat of borealization

Cutting pointed to borealization as another major consequence of warming winters, which is the replacement of cold-adapted species by species better suited to milder conditions.

“Native species like northern red oak or white spruce struggle as the environment warms, creating openings for invasive species to take over,” Cutting said.

These invasive species thrive in disturbed areas created by hurricanes, wildfires, or other climate-induced events.

For example, species like Japanese knotweed and Norway maple often outcompete native plants in such conditions, altering ecosystems permanently.

“Disturbances like hurricanes and wildfires break up native plant communities, and invasive species thrive in those disturbed areas,” Cutting explained.

What can be done?

Arnold and Cutting agree that combating these challenges requires a collective effort. Cutting’s work with the P.E.I. Invasive Species Council includes educating the public. 

Tools like the Early Detection and Distribution Mapping System (EDDMapS) enable Islanders to track, report and respond to invasive plants and pests.

“We’re really the repository of knowledge on invasive species for Prince Edward Island, and we’re always learning and collaborating to stay ahead,” Cutting said.

Arnold highlighted the importance of supporting local farmers, who are already adopting innovative practices to adapt to climate change. 

Groups like East Prince Agri-Environmental are helping farmers implement sustainable solutions, such as establishing permanent routes in the fields to improve growing and water retention.

“A collective of farming families came together, pooled resources, and hired someone to find funding and projects to make farming better environmentally and economically,” Arnold said.

Both experts emphasize the role that individuals can play in protecting P.E.I.’s ecosystems.

“Islanders can help by planting native species, avoiding the use of invasive ornamentals in their gardens, and reporting any sightings of invasive plants or pests,” Cutting said.

“Farmers feel confident they can adapt,” Arnold said. “But the challenge is doing it in a way that’s financially sustainable while managing rising costs and environmental pressures.”

“When we lose the snow, we lose more than just a season. We lose the balance that’s kept our ecosystems and communities thriving for generations.”