Environmental Trends 2002

Habitat

Percentage Lost of Selected Habitat Types

SOURCES: Garry Oak Woodlands – Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management, 2002; Antelope-brush Grasslands – Ministry of Water, Land, and Air Protection, 2002; Wetlands in LFV – Boyle et al., 1997; Streams in the Lower Fraser Valley – Fraser River Action Plan, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 1998; Coastal forest suitable for nesting Marbled Murrelets – Demarchi and Button, 2000. NOTES: Dates used for analysis remaining/historical are: Garry Oaks 1800/1997; Wetlands in LFV 1827/1990; Antelope-brush grasslands 1860/2001; Streams in the LFV C. 1860/1997; Coast Forest analysis based on comparison of current habitat suitability and habitat capability.

Status of selected habitats in British Columbia

• Maintaining viable areas of different habitat types is a key component of protecting biodiversity.

• The southern Vancouver Island Garry Oak Woodlands and South Okanagan Antelope-brush grasslands are the most endangered ecosystems in British Columbia and are among the most endangered ecosystems in Canada.

• About 7% (706 ha) of the historical area of South Okanagan Antelope-brush grasslands are currently protected in parks, wildlife areas and other federal, provincial and private conservation areas. A multi-agency recovery plan dedicated to conserving the last of the Garry Oak ecosystems has been developed.

• Development in the Lower Fraser Valley has resulted in a reduction of wetland cover from 10% to less than 1.5%. Also, 15% of streams that once existed in the Lower Fraser Valley no longer exist.

• Thirty-five percent of coastal old growth forests suitable for nesting Marbled Murrelets (mature trees with large branches) have been replaced with managed forests.

For detailed information, including graph data, see In-Depth report [pdf].