Grand Lake is large enough (more than 16,000 hectares) to have a moderating
influence on the climate of the Meadows. The lake acts as a heat sink,
storing heat in the summer and releasing it in autumn, extending the number
of frost-free days.
This region has the highest temperatures in the
province. A wide range of tree species grows here including burr oak,
ironwood, basswood, butternut, white ash, green ash and, especially, silver
maple. The seedlings of the silver maple can survive long periods of
flooding.
In addition to the tree species, 13 shrub species can be found here
including speckled alder, which provides habitat and food for many wildlife
species, as well as willow, elderberry, striped maple and red osier
dogwood.
Ground vegetation in the Meadows includes 66 species recently
counted and documented in a study conducted by the New Brunswick Federation
of Naturalists.
Most of the meadows are low shrub meadow in which the woody vegetation is
lower than 1.5 meters. The water table here is at the surface so the plant
roots are in saturated soil for most of the growing season.
Some of the meadows are herbaceous, bordered by trees. Most of the plant
species here are found throughout New Brunswick. This herbaceous meadow is
wetland with almost permanent water saturation.
Timber Lake is a large pond in the middle of herbaceous meadow. A number
of rare species can be found below the water surface including Humped
Bladderwort and the Thread-like Naiad, both considered extremely rare in
the province.
