Ministry of Environment
Sensitive
Ecosystems Inventories
Older Second Growth Forests of Eastern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands
There are two distinct sub-categories of Older Second Growth Forest in the SEI study area: large stands of conifer dominated forest between 60 and 100 years old with less than 15% deciduous trees (OF:co); and those with more than 15% deciduous tree cover (OF:mx).
Older Second Growth Forests are the most common forested ecosystem in the SEI study area. They function as both essential habitat areas for many wildlife species, and as primary connections between ecosystems in the highly fragmented landscape of the Georgia Basin. All Second Growth Forests have been disturbed by logging or other human disturbance since the settlement of Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands began in the middle of the 19th century.
The size of the second growth forest patch and the composition and structures of vegetation are the primary determinants of biodiversity values in these ecosystems. Younger forests range from dense, uniform stands of even aged Douglas-fir and western hemlock to mixed stands of red alder and western redcedar. Wildlife values in these areas are relatively low. In mixed stands with red alder or big-leaf maple, or in older stands with some of the characteristics of older forests, wildlife diversity is higher. In particular, the presence of snags and downed logs are found in stands older than 80 years and are closely associated with small mammals and cavity nesting birds such as northern flying squirrels and woodpeckers.
Why are Older Second Growth Forest ecosystems considered ecologically important?
- Future older forests – Within 20 years, many of the Second
Growth Forests that were logged early this century will become Older
Forests. The biodiversity values of second growth forest generally
become higher with age. This means it will be able to sustain more
and larger species of plants and animals.
- Landscape connectivity – Second Growth Forest stands provide
connections between other natural areas that promote the movement
and dispersal of many forest dwelling species across the landscape.
Species as varied as black-tailed deer, black bears, northwestern
salamanders, and northern flying squirrels use second growth forest
for a large portion of their lifecycle, but also require access to
other habitat patches for feeding, breeding, or migration. Fragmentation
is an important conservation concern in the Georgia Basin.
- Buffers – Second Growth Forests can minimize disturbance to sensitive ecosystems that occur within or adjacent to the forest patch. Where they border or surround wetlands, patches of older forest or other sensitive ecosystems, the second growth area serves an important role in buffering the adjacent sensitive areas.
What are some conservation concerns of Older Second Growth Forest ecosystems?
The SEI project has focused on the larger stands of second growth forest that provide landscape level connectivity and also supports larger species with larger home ranges. The high biodiversity values of second growth forest come, in large part, from its function in landscape connectivity. For this reason, preventing fragmentation of this ecosystem is especially important. Logging is the most significant cause of second growth forest decline.
Examples of some of the larger Older Second Growth Forest ecosystems within the SEI study area:
Crystal Lake area, around Langley Lake, on Maple Mountain, in East Sooke Park and in the Seal Bay area.
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