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Ministry of Environment

Sensitive Ecosystems Inventories

Woodlands of Eastern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands

Woodlands are open forested areas comprised of pure stands of Garry oak and mixed stands of Douglas-fir/Garry oak and Douglas-fir/arbutus. Remnant stands of trembling aspen are also found in wetter sites. Their understorey is characterized by a rich mosaic of wildflowers, grasses, shrubs and mosses.

Woodlands are found on south facing slopes of rocky knoll and bedrock dominated areas. The disturbance or soil conditions of such areas restrict the establishment of closed conifer forest and promote Garry oak regeneration. Woodlands also occur in combination with other ecosystems such as older Douglas-fir forest (OF), Older Second Growth Forest (SG) and Terrestrial Herbaceous (HT).

With greatest representation in the Gulf Islands and southeast coast of Vancouver Island, Woodlands occur as widely scattered fragments comprising only 0.6% of the entire SEI study area, and 7.8% of the total area sensitive ecosystems by areas.

Values and Ecological Attributes of Woodlands

Although fragmented and rare, Woodlands are biologically diverse ecosystems which support a rich assemblage of plants, insects, reptiles & birds. Rare species such as the sharp-tailed snake, Edith's checkerspot butterfly and Nuttall's quillwort, rely on specialized habitat features specific to Woodland ecosystems. This high biodiversity is attributed to: elements of stand structure (open canopy, mixed age classes, snags, seasonal leaf fall, organically enriched upper soil layers); and the proximity and inter-mixing of Woodlands with other ecosystems.

In addition to their biodiversity, Woodlands are also valued for their contributions to regional communities. Their aesthetic appearance and recreation opportunities enhance the potential for human enjoyment and interaction with wildlife, and increase economic prospects through the creation and support of local businesses. Woodlands also promote ecosystem values and conservation efforts to all age groups through educational programs and hands-on workshops.

Conservation Concerns of Woodlands

In general, activities associated with rural and urban development are primarily responsible for the degradation and habitat loss of Woodland ecosystems. Direct impacts such as tree or understorey removal or damage are attributed to road and building construction, vegetation management and heavy livestock grazing.

Because of their close proximity to urban landscapes, Woodlands are affected by indirect impacts such as vegetation disturbance, introduction of invasive species from nearby gardens, reductions in wildlife use due to fragmentation, and increased disturbance of native wildlife by domestic cats.

Wildfire suppression and loss of natural grazing species are responsible for increased conifer development, reduced Garry oak regeneration and the spread or dominance of invasive species. Other cumulative impacts include landscape fragmentation, which reduces Woodland diversity, and global climate changes, which increase invasive or pest species problems.