The ethnoecology and reproductive ecology of bakeapple (Rubus chamaemorus L., Rosaceae) in southern Labrador Amanda Karst B.Sc., University of Regina, 2002 A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE in the Department of Biology O Amanda Karst, 2005 University of Victoria All rights reserved. This thesis may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by photocopy of other means, without the permission of the author Co-supervisors Dr. Nancy J. Turner and Dr. Gerry Allen ABSTRACT Bakeapple (Rubus chamaemovus L.; Rosaceae) is a circumpolar herbaceous perennial typically found in peat bogs. Bakeapple fruits have served as a vital food - resource for many northern peoples including those of the Subarctic and Arctic areas of North America. Although the reproductive ecology and habitat requirements of this plant have been studied extensively in Scandinavia, there has been scant research on bakeapple populations in Canada. Furthermore, there has been little documentation of its use or ethnoecology in many parts of Canada, especially in Newfoundland and Labrador. For this research I worked in the predominantly Metis community of Charlottetown, Labrador, where there has been a long tradition of bakeapple use. My objectives were to: 1. Document traditional use and major changes in use of bakeapple by this community; 2. Determine the most important factors influencing fruit production in local bakeapple populations; and 3. Link community observations on the ecology of this species with previous research and ecological data from my study in the area. To examine traditional use and knowledge of bakeapple in the community of Charlottetown, I conducted semi-directed in-depth interviews with knowledgeable bakeapple pickers in the community. Traditionally, bakeapple has been a vital component of the diet for this community. In recent years, a number of changes, including particularly the northern cod moratorium, have altered social practices surrounding bakeapple picking. Despite decreased reliance on wild foods by community members in general, this plant still remains a culturally important species. To assess the main influences on fruit production for local bakeapple populations, I sampled on islands where community members routinely harvest bakeapples. I . 111 measured various environmental variables and stages in bakeapple reproductive output. Environmental variables showed only weak relationships to flowering and fruit production. The most prominent influences on fruit production in these populations were due to the abundance and distribution of males and females in this dioecious species; female dominated sex ratios and long distances between male and female flowers resulted in decreased seed set. To examine the ecology of bakeapple through a combination of local ecological knowledge and scientific knowledge, I documented observations made by community members pertaining to bakeapple ecology. Residents outlined three main habitat types in this area through semi-directive interviews associating various bakeapple densities and fruit sizes with each type; my ecological data confirmed some of these observations. Bakeapple development (e.g., ''turned in" stage) and variations in the berry (e.g. in color and size) were also discussed. Information gained from the interviews pertaining to bakeapple population and habitat characteristics, such as black spots that periodically appear on the berries, could serve as starting points for future research on bakeapple populations. Table of Contents . Abstract ..............................................................................................ii Table of Contents ................................................................................... iv ......................................................................................... List of Tables vi. List of Figures ........................................................................................vii Acknowledgements: ................................................................................. ix Chapter 1: Introduction ............................................................................. 1 1.1 Local Ecological Knowledge .................................................................. 1 1.2 Background on Bakeapple ..................................................................... 3 1.3 Coasts Under Stress............................................................................ 5 1.4 Charlottetown, Labrador ....................................................................... 6 1.5 Thesis Objectives ............................................................................... 8 chapter 2 Traditional use of bakeapple (Rubus chamaemorus L.): history of use. importance. and major changes .................................................................. -10 2.1 Introduction .................................................................................... -10 2.2 Methods ......................................................................................... 11 2.3 Results ........................................................................................... 13 2.3.1 Interview demographics ................................................................ 13 ....................................................................... 2.3.2 Bakeapple. picking 16 2.3.2.1 Picking .............................................................................. 16 2.3.2.2 Timing of bakeapple harvest ........ ; ............................................. 18 2.3.2.2.1 Picking bakeapples before they are ripe .................................. 20 2.3.2.3 Who picks bakeapples? ........................................................... 22 2.3.2.4 Bakeapple areas ...................................................................... 24 2.3.2.4.1 Proprietorship ................................................................ 26 2.3.2.5.How bakeapples are picked ....................................................... 30 2.3.2.6 Quantity of bakeapples gathered ................................................... 31 2.3.2.7 Containers............................................................................ 34 2.3.2.8 Eating bakeapples while picking .................................................. 36 2.3.2.9 Other plantsherries gathered ...................................................... 37 2.3.2.10 Traditions associated with bakeapple picking ................................... 38 2.3.2.1 1 Knowledge transmission.......................................................... 40 2.3.3 Processing ............................................................................... -42 2.3.4 Consuming bakeapples ................................................................. 43 2.3.5 Storing..................................................................................... 45 2.3.6 Bakeapple picking in Red Bay vs Charlottetown................................... 47 2.3.7 Exchange of bakeapples ................................................................. 48 2.4 Discussion ...................................................................................... -50 2.4.1 Major changes ............................................................................. 50 2.4.2 Importance: Bakeapple as a Cultural Keystone Species ............................. 57 2.4.3 The future of bakeapple picking in Charlottetown................................... 63 Chapter 3 : Reproductive Ecology of Rubus chamaemorus..................................... 69 3.1 Introduction .......................................................................................69 3.2 Methods ...........................................................................................78 3.2.1 Data Analysis ............................................................................... -83 3.3 Results ............................................................................................ -86 3.3.1 Environmental factors and habitat of bakeapple ....................................... 90 . 3.3.2 Species composition ........................................................................96 3.3.3 Reproductive variables ................................................................. -105 3.3.4 Sex Ratio and Distance to nearest potential fertilising partner .................... 105 3.4 Discussion ....................................................................................... 109 3 .4.1 Environmental factors ................................................................... 109 . 3.4.2 Species composition .................................................................... -112 3.4.3 Fruit set ................................................................................... 113 3.4.4 Sex ratio ................................................................................... 114 3.5 Conclusions ..................................................................................... 118 Chapter 4 . Bakeapple (Rubus chamaemorus). a Cultural Keystone: Linking local and scientific knowledge to improve understanding of hitproduction ......................... 119 4.1 Introduction ..................................................................................... 119 4.2 Methods ......................................................................................... 120 4.3 Results and Discussion ......................................................................... 121 4.3.1 Bakeapple name, similar berrieslplants