habitat101

Habitat 101: 

Habitat 101 Squamish Environmental Conservation Society prepared by: Meg Fellowes June 2007

Habitatconservation concerns: 

Habitat conservation concerns 1. Fragmentation 2. Connectivity 3. Wildlife Trees 4. Shrub Layer

1. Fragmentation: 

1. Fragmentation What is habitat fragmentation and why does it matter.

Fragmentation size matters: 

Fragmentation size matters Valley forest cover was once continuous. Cheekye Fan & Logger’s Lane Wetland are important low elevation remnants. Logger’s Lane wetland flood plain forest

Fragmentation size matters: 

Fragmentation size matters Some species are specialists, depending on large continuous tracts of forest habitat. Winter wren Yellow-rumped warbler Pileated woodpecker Cheekye Fan

Fragmentation size matters: 

Fragmentation size matters Habitat fragmentation benefits opportunists: English Ivy Lamium Brown-headed cow bird White-crowned sparrow

Fragmentation size matters: 

Fragmentation size matters Increasing the fragmentation of the landscape reduces the biodiversity of plants and animals. Science doesn’t know how much fragmentation is too much for various species. Reducing biodiversity reduces both human and nature’s ability to respond to change.

2. Connectivity: 

2. Connectivity What is connectivity and why does it matter?

Connectivitystaying connected: 

Connectivity staying connected Highway 99 bisects Cheekye Fan but connects Vancouver and Whistler.

Connectivitystaying connected: 

Connectivity staying connected One of the most studied birds. Must find mate from remote population to maintain genetic vigor. Needs forest cover to escape predators such as the Great Horned Owl. Northern Spotted Owl

Connectivitystaying connected: 

Connectivity staying connected Black bear Black-tailed deer Cougar Charismatic mega fauna tell the same story of the need to be connected across landscapes, to find food, mates, and to rear their young.

Connectivitystaying connected: 

Connectivity staying connected Valleys are heavily used by people and wildlife. Establishing effective greenway connections between reserve areas is essential for wildlife survival. Both the Cheekye Fan and the Logger’s Lane wetland are important landscape level features, low elevation connectors and large continuous habitat refuges.

3. Wildlife Trees: 

3. Wildlife Trees Home or hazard?

Wildlife Treeshome or hazard?: 

Wildlife Trees home or hazard? Red-breasted Sapsucker Wood Duck Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Wildlife Treeshome or hazard?: 

Wildlife Trees home or hazard? large, leaning (alder) trees are dangerous

Wildlife Treeshome or hazard?: 

Wildlife Trees home or hazard? Leaving 5 + meter stumps - reducing risk and still providing valuable habitat. DOS - develop a policy and procedure which meets needs of wildlife and people.

4. Shrub Thickets: 

4. Shrub Thickets wetcoast jungle

Shrub Thicketswetcoast jungle: 

Shrub Thickets wetcoast jungle Salmon berry, twin berry, thimble berry … Bev Hill photo

Shrub Thickets wetcoast jungle: 

Shrub Thickets wetcoast jungle home for many species they nest & forage in the shrub layer Towhee Humming birds Swainson’s thrush,

Shrub Thickets wetcoast jungle: 

Shrub Thickets wetcoast jungle shrubs cleared for security reasons … Skateboard park – Wilson’s slough north of Howe Sound Secondary School

Shrub Thickets wetcoast jungle: 

Shrub Thickets wetcoast jungle Shrubs cleared for aesthetic reasons To make trail maintenance easier Nexan beach trail

Shrub Thickets wetcoast jungle: 

Shrub Thickets wetcoast jungle Human and wildlife requirements must be better balanced. DOS develop a policy regarding the retention and use of natural vegetation and habitat structure. Education regarding the value of wildlife trees, shrub layers, indigenous plants is essential. Song sparrows then will then continue to sing in our subdivisions

In Conclusion: 

In Conclusion Conservation Recommendations: 1. Minimize habitat fragmentation 2. Maximize habitat connectivity 3. Maximize wildlife trees 4. Maximize shrub thickets

Climate Change: 

Climate Change Genetically diverse natural populations in healthy ecosystems … have millions of years’ design experience in coping with surprises. Hawken, Lovins and Lovins (1999) Natural Capitalism (Back Bay Books/Little Brown and Company, New York)