State of Environment Reporting

Status of Selected Habitats in British Columbia

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.