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Ecological Reserves Listed Alphabetically

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ Aleza Ecological Reserve Ambrose Lake Ecological Reserve Anne Vallee (Triangle Island) Ecological Reserve This ecological reserve is closed to the public. Atlatzi River Ecological Reserve has been renamed to Kingcome River/Atlatzi River Ecological Reserve Baeria Rocks Ecological Reserve This ecological reserve is closed to the public. Ballingall Islets Ecological Reserve This ecological reserve is subject to special restrictions. Baynes Island Ecological Reserve Bednesti Lake Ecological Reserve Beresford Island Ecological Reserve This ecological reserve is closed to the public. Big Creek Ecological Reserve Big White Mountain Ecological Reserve Blackwater Creek Ecological Reserve Blue/Dease Rivers Ecological Reserve Ecological Reserve Bowser Ecological Reserve Browne Lake Ecological Reserve Buck Hills Road Ecological Reserve Burnt Cabin Bog Ecological Reserve Byers/Conroy/Harvey/Sinnett Islands Ecological Reserve Campbell Brown () Ecological Reserve Canoe Islets Ecological Reserve This ecological reserve is closed to the public. Cardiff Mountain Ecological Reserve Catherine Creek Ecological Reserve Cecil Lake Ecological Reserve Charlie Cole Creek Ecological Reserve Chasm Ecological Reserve Ecological Reserve Chickens Neck Mountain Ecological Reserve Chilako River Ecological Reserve Chilliwack River Ecological Reserve Chunamon Creek Ecological Reserve Cinema Bog Ecological Reserve Clanninick Creek Ecological Reserve Claud Elliott Creek Ecological Reserve Clayhurst Ecological Reserve Cleland Island Ecological Reserve This ecological reserve is closed to the public. Ecological Reserve Bluffs Ecological Reserve Cougar Canyon Ecological Reserve Det San Ecological Reserve Dewdney and Glide Islands Ecological Reserve This ecological reserve is closed to the public. Doc English Bluff Ecological Reserve Drizzle Lake Ecological Reserve Drywilliam Lake Ecological Reserve Duke of Edinburgh (Pine/Storm/Tree Islands) Ecological Reserve This ecological reserve is subject to special restrictions. East Redonda Island Ecological Reserve Ellis Island Ecological Reserve Evans Lake Ecological Reserve Field's Lease Ecological Reserve Ecological Reserve Francis Point Ecological Reserve This ecological reserve is subject to special restrictions. Ecological Reserve Ecological Reserve Gamble Creek Ecological Reserve

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Gilnockie Creek Ecological Reserve Gingietl Creek Ecological Reserve Gladys Lake Ecological Reserve Goosegrass Creek Ecological Reserve Grayling River Hot Springs Ecological Reserve Haley Lake Ecological Reserve Haynes' Lease Ecological Reserve Heather Lake Ecological Reserve Honeymoon Bay Ecological Reserve Hudson Rocks Ecological Reserve This ecological reserve is subject to special restrictions. Ilgachuz Range Ecological Reserve Katherine Tye (Vedder Crossing) Ecological Reserve Kingcome River/Atlatzi River Ecological Reserve Kingfisher Creek Ecological Reserve Klanawa River Ecological Reserve Klaskish River Ecological Reserve Ecological Reserve This ecological reserve is subject to special restrictions. Ladysmith Bog Ecological Reserve has been renamed to Yellowpoint Bog Ecological Reserve Ecological Reserve Lepas Bay Ecological Reserve This ecological reserve is subject to special restrictions. Lew Creek Ecological Reserve Lily Pad Lake Ecological Reserve Liumchen Ecological Reserve Mackinnon Esker Ecological Reserve Ecological Reserve Mara Meadows Ecological Reserve This ecological reserve is closed to the public. McQueen Creek Ecological Reserve Megin River Ecological Reserve Meridian Road (Vanderhoof) Ecological Reserve Misty Lake Ecological Reserve Moore/McKenney/Whitmore Islands Ecological Reserve This ecological reserve is closed to the public. Morice River Ecological Reserve Mount Derby Ecological Reserve Mount Elliott Ecological Reserve Mount Griffin Ecological Reserve Mount Maxwell Ecological Reserve Mount Sabine Ecological Reserve Mount Tinsdale Ecological Reserve Mount Tuam Ecological Reserve Mount Tzuhalem Ecological Reserve Narcosli Lake Ecological Reserve Ecological Reserve Nimpkish River Ecological Reserve Ningunsaw River Ecological Reserve Ecological Reserve Oak Bay Islands Ecological Reserve Ospika Cones Ecological Reserve Parker Lake Ecological Reserve Patsuk Creek Ecological Reserve Pitt Polder Ecological Reserve Portage Brule Rapids Ecological Reserve Race Rocks Ecological Reserve This ecological reserve is subject to special restrictions. Ram Creek Ecological Reserve Raspberry Harbour Ecological Reserve (Michael Bigg) Ecological Reserve Rolla Canyon Ecological Reserve Rose Islets Ecological Reserve This ecological reserve is closed to the public. Rose Spit Ecological Reserve Ecological Reserve San Juan Ridge Ecological Reserve San Juan River Estuary Ecological Reserve Sartine Island Ecological Reserve This ecological reserve is closed to the public. Satellite Channel Ecological Reserve Ecological Reserve Skagit River Cottonwoods Ecological Reserve Skagit River Forest Ecological Reserve Skagit River Rhododendrons Ecological Reserve

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Skeena River Ecological Reserve Skihist Ecological Reserve Skwaha Lake Ecological Reserve Smith River Ecological Reserve Soap Lake Ecological Reserve Solander Island Ecological Reserve This ecological reserve is closed to the public. Stoyoma Creek Ecological Reserve Sunbeam Creek Ecological Reserve Sutton Pass Ecological Reserve Tacheeda Ecological Reserve Tahsish River Ecological Reserve Ecological Reserve Ten Mile Point Ecological Reserve Torkelsen Lake Ecological Reserve Tow Hill Ecological Reserve Tranquille Ecological Reserve Trial Islands Ecological Reserve This ecological reserve is subject to special restrictions. Trout Creek Ecological Reserve Tsitika Mountain Ecological Reserve Tsitika River Ecological Reserve Upper Ecological Reserve Vance Creek Ecological Reserve Vladimir J. Krajina (Port Chanal) Ecological Reserve Westwick Lake Ecological Reserve Whipsaw Creek Ecological Reserve Williams Creek Ecological Reserve Woodley Range Ecological Reserve This ecological reserve is closed to the public. Yale Garry Oak Ecological Reserve Yellowpoint Bog Ecological Reserve formerly Ladysmith Bog Ecological Reserve

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http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/eco_reserve/alphalist.html 10/5/2014 AMBROSE LAKE ER # 28

ORIGINAL PURPOSE To preserve a small coastal lake, adjacent bogland, and surrounding forest

OVERVIEW Date established: 13 Aug. 1971 Location: Peninsula, 5 Date land exchanged: 14 Sept. 1971 km SW of Earl’s Date amended: 5 Oct. 1971 Cove 30 March 2006 ORC #: 3028 Latitude: 49º44’N Map number: 92 F/9 Longitude: 124º01’W Total Area: 295 ha Elevation: 0-215 m Land: 266 ha Lake: 29 ha Access: Access by rough road south from Earl’s Cove, by boat across Ruby Lake from Highway 101, or by boat along Agamemnon Channel. Biogeoclimatic Zones: Coastal Western Hemlock (CWH) Biogeoclimatic Variant: CWHdm Dry Maritime Ecosection: Georgia Lowland Region: Lower Mainland Management Area: Sunshine Coast

COMPOSITION

Physical: The reserve occurs on undulating terrain of the Georgia Lowland, underlain by largely granitic bedrock. Its western boundary follows 1.5 km of marine shoreline along Agamemnon Channel, its eastern boundary a similar distance along the western edge of Ruby Lake. Soils are predominantly Podzols on glacial till, except for bedrock exposures and boggy areas. Ambrose Lake is located entirely within the reserve, as is most of its rather limited watershed. The lake is 30 ha in area, 33 m deep, and irregular in shape. It drains eastward into Ruby Lake.

Biological: Most of the reserve area consists of upland forest in which Douglas-fir and western hemlock are abundant. Western redcedar may be locally common, while western white pine, arbutus, bigleaf maple, flowering dogwood, and cascara occur more sparingly. Typical upland associations include Douglas-fir- salal-moss; western hemlock-Douglas-fir-moss; and western redcedar- Douglas-fir-sword fern. Additional trees recorded in moist and riparian situations are lodgepole pine, red alder, Sitka spruce, and Pacific crab apple.

Interesting boglands, of limited extent in this part of the province, occur along the northern margin of Ambrose Lake and along its outlet stream, southeastward from the eastern bulge of the lake. These are characterized by scattered lodgepole pine trees, shrubs such as Labrador tea, sweet gale, and bog-laurel, sedges, and sphagnum moss. The yellow waterlily occurs in shallow bays around the lake edge. The “common” reed, twenty-three species of mosses, six liverworts, and six lichens have been recorded in the reserve.

Beaver are known to be present. Prickly sculpins are found in the lake. There is no record of Ambrose Lake ever having been stocked with sport fish.

MANAGEMENT CONCERNS

SIGNIFICANT SPECIES BC LIST COSEWIC STATUS CF STATUS PRIORITY Cutthroat Trout, ssp. lewisi Blue listed Special Concern (2006) 2 Prickly Sculpin 5 groundcone 2 Threespine Stickleback Special Concern (1983) 6

THREATS Climate Change: Changes in hydrology and temperature in the coming years may result in a range of impacts on wetland ecosystems. The water level of the lake in this reserve may change as well as the species assemblage within it, due to warmer waters, changed sediment patterns and, possibly, salinity. The adjacent bogland may be at risk of desiccation and habitat loss. The western parameter of the reserve may also experience ecosystem shifts due to altered ocean water levels and raised sea surface temperatures in Agamemnon Channel. Forestry: Logging adjacent to reserve is possibly infringing on the reserve. Logging may also affect water quality within the reserve. Recreation: Hiking disrupts the sensitive ecosystem. RESEARCH Plant lists are available. OPPORTUNITIES

SCIENTIFIC NAMES OF SPECIES MENTIONED IN THE AMBROSE LAKE ER ACCOUNT

Flora arbutus (Arbutus menziesii) bog-laurel, western (Kalmia microphylla) cascara (Rhamnus purshiana) collomia, vari-leaved (Collomia heterophylla) crab apple, Pacific (Malus fusca) dogwood, flowering (Cornus nuttallii) Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) fern, sword (Polystichum munitum) gale, sweet (Myrica gale) golden-eyed-grass (Sisyrinchium californicum) groundcone, Vancouver (Boschniakia hookeri) hemlock, western (Tsuga heterophylla) Labrador tea (Ledum groenlandicum) maple, bigleaf (Acer macrophyllum) moss, peat (Sphagnum spp.) pine, lodgepole (Pinus contorta) pine, western white (Pinus monticola) redcedar, western (Thuja plicata) reed, common (Phragmites australis ssp. australis) salal (Gaultheria shallon) spruce, Sitka (Picea sitchensis)

Fauna Beaver, American (Castor canadensis) Sculpin, Prickly (Cottus asper) Stickleback, Threespine (Gasterosteus aculeatus) Trout, Cutthroat (Oncorhynchus clarkii)

BAERIA ROCKS ER #24

ORIGINAL PURPOSE To protect nesting seabirds, and to preserve rich intertidal and subtidal communities for research and educational purposes

OVERVIEW Date established: 4 May 1971 Location: At head of Imperial Eagle Date amended: 24 Oct. 1975 Channel, , ORC #: 3024 west coast of Vancouver Map number: 92 C/14 Island Marine chart number: 3637 Latitude: 48º57’N Longitude: 125º09’W

Total Area: 140 ha Elevation: -37-10 m Land: 2 ha Marine: 138 ha Access: Closed to the public by Order-in-Council no. 1920, 16 June 1977 to protect nesting birds which are very vulnerable to disturbance. A permit is required to land on the rocks and they are accessible by boat. Biogeoclimatic Zones: Coastal Western Hemlock (CWH) Biogeoclimatic Variant: Upland area too small to be representative Ecosection: Upland area too small to be representative Region: Management Area: Clayoquot

COMPOSITION Physical: The terrestrial part of the reserve consists of two low bedrock islands 500 m apart, the southern of which is made up of three closely associated rocks. The bulk of the reserve consists of the subtidal area between the rocks and the 20 fathom (36.5 m) depth. Intertidal and subtidal substrates are largely bedrock, although small areas of mud, sand, or shell occur at depth. Surf action is moderated due to distance from the outer coast. Biological: Vascular plants are limited to a single species, hairy goldfields, found near the highest point of the north island. This species is rare in British Columbia. Several crustose lichens, adapted to salt spray, also occur. Nesting seabirds are the pelagic cormorant (30 pairs), glaucous-winged gull (210 pairs), black oystercatcher (15 pairs), and probably the pigeon guillemot. A few harbour seals haul out here.

Despite the predominantly bedrock substrates, a variety of intertidal habitats are present, including rock faces exposed to the surf, crevices, tide pools, and a protected lagoon in the north island. The intertidal shoreline is almost completely covered with marine invertebrates and algae, the most common of which are barnacles, goose barnacles, mussels, sea anemones, starfish and seaweeds of the genera Endocladia, Fucus, Ulva, Egregia and Alaria. Interesting examples of intertidal zonation are present. The surrounding subtidal area supports a diverse invertebrate fauna that is particularly abundant in hydroids, ascidians, and anemones (particularly Tealia lofotensis), and several species of algae. Common fishes are the black, yellowtail, copper, quillback, and China rockfishes, and the kelp greenling.

MANAGEMENT CONCERNS

SIGNIFICANT SPECIES BC LIST STATUS COSEWIC STATUS CF PRIORITY hairy goldfields Blue listed 3 Bald Eagle Not At Risk (1984) 6 Black Oystercatcher 5 California Sea Lion Not At Risk (1987) 6 Glaucous-winged Gull 5 Harbour Seal Not At Risk (1999) 6 Pelagic Cormorant 5 THREATS Climate Change: Changes in marine species life cycles (phenology) due to shifting sea surface temperatures, ocean levels and storm activity have been projected to result in new species assemblages and predator/prey relationships, effectively altering the composition of the intertidal and subtidal communities protected in this reserve. The low elevation of this reserve may also put the terrestrial communities at risk of habitat degradation and/or loss due to such conditions mentioned above. Recreation: A heavy volume of boat traffic disturbs wildlife.

RESEARCH This is an excellent teaching and research site for the Bamfield OPPORTUNITIES Marine Station, 13 km away. Reports are available on intertidal and subtidal flora and fauna, and harbour seal behaviour. SCIENTIFIC NAMES OF SPECIES MENTIONED IN THE BAERIA ROCKS ER ACCOUNT

Flora goldfields, hairy (Lasthenia maritima)

Fauna Anemone, Big Red (Tealia lofotensis) Barnacle, Goose (Pollicipes polymerus mussels Cormorant, Pelagic (Phalacrocorax pelagicus) Eagle, Bald (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) Greenling, Kelp (Hexagrammos decagrammus) Guillemot, Pigeon (Cepphus columba) Oystercatcher, Black (Haematopus bachmani) Rockfish, Black (Sebastes melanops) Rockfish, China (Sebastes nebulosus) Rockfish, Copper (Sebastes caurinus) Rockfish, Quillback (Sebastes maliger) Rockfish, Yellowtail (Sebastes flavidus) Sea Lion, California (Zalophus californianus)Glaucous-winged Gull Seal, Harbour (Phoca vitulina)

BALLINGALL ISLETS ER #151

ORIGINAL PURPOSE To preserve nesting sites of colonial seabirds

OVERVIEW Date established: 28 Nov 1963 Location: 7km NNE of Ganges ORC #: 155 Latitude: 48º54’N Map number: 92 B/14 Longitude: 123º27’W Total Area: 0.5 ha Elevation: 0-6 m Land: 0.5 ha Access: Closed to public to protect the sensitive ecosystem. A permit is required to land on the islets. Accessible by boat through . Biogeoclimatic Zone: Coastal Douglas-Fir (CDF) Biogeoclimatic Variant: CDFmm Moist Maritime Ecosection: Southern /Straight of Georgia (area too small to be representative) Region: Vancouver Island Management Area: Saanich/ Southern Gulf Islands

COMPOSITION

Physical: This small rocky archipelago is comprised of two islets that are made up of glaciated and wave-worn sedimentary bedrock of the Nanaimo Group, and are oriented in a northwest-southeast direction located between Saltspring and Galiano islands in the Trincomali Channel. These semi-protected islets are barren except for a single dead juniper attached to one of the rocks.

Biological: There is no surficial soil on the islets sufficient for vascular plant growth. Lichens and bryophytes are present on the islets.

The Ballingall Islets were originally designated as a nature park to protect colonies of double-crested and pelagic cormorants. At the time of designation, 28 nests of double-crested cormorants and 11 nests of pelagic cormorants were observed. Nesting failures, due in part to human disturbance, have caused a severe decline in cormorant populations in the and neither species of cormorants have been observed on the islets since 1987. The reserve now serves as an historic nesting site and it is hoped that by preserving and possibly enhancing this habitat, they will repopulate the reserve.

The reserve remains an important nesting site for gulls and pigeon guillemots.

MANAGEMENT CONCERNS

SIGNIFICANT SPECIES BC LIST STATUS COSEWIC STATUS CF PRIORITY

Double-crested Cormorant Blue listed Not At Risk (1978) 2

THREATS Climate Change: As the climate changes, the islets may be subject to habitat loss due to rising sea levels and increased storm activity. Warming sea surface temperatures may alter the life cycles and distribution of marine species, subsequently impacting the sea bird populations that depend on marine food sources. Recreation: Presence of motorized vessels and kayaks disrupts marine mammal and bird behaviour.

RESEARCH Islets are appropriate site for seabird population studies and OPPORTUNITIES recovery strategies for cormorants. SCIENTIFIC NAMES OF SPECIES MENTIONED IN THE BALLINGALL ISLETS ER ACCOUNT Flora None mentioned Fauna Cormorant, Double-crested (Phalacrocorax auritus) Cormorant, Pelagic (Phalacrocorax pelagicus) Guillemot, Pigeon (Cepphus columba)

CANOE ISLETS ER #17

ORIGINAL PURPOSE To protect nesting cormorants and gulls

OVERVIEW Date established: 4 May 1971 Location: At NW enterence to Porlier Pass, ORC #: 3017 adjacent to S end of , Map number: 92 G/4 15 km NE of Chemainus Marine chart number: 3473 Latitude: 49º01’N Longitude: 123º35’W Total Area: 1 ha Elevation: 0-3 m Land: 1 ha

Access: Closed to the public by Order-in-Council 1920, June 16, 1977 to protect nesting seabirds, which are extremely vulnerable to disturbance at this location. A permit is required to land on the islets, and they are accessible by boat. Biogeoclimatic Zones: Coastal Douglas-Fir (CDF) Biogeoclimatic Variant: CDF mm; Moist Maritime Ecosection: Strait of Georgia Region: Vancouver Island Management Area: Saanich/ Southern Gulf Islands

COMPOSITION Physical: The reserve consists of two very small, low, rounded bedrock islets, about 400m from the Valdes Island shoreline. These are composed of glacially smoothed sedimentary rocks of the Nanaimo Group, and lie at the eastern edge of Georgia Strait. Subtidally, strongly sloping bedrock substrates of irregular relief are interrupted by narrow sand-shell terraces. The channel between Canoe Islets and Valdes Island is about 20 m deep; depths increase rapidly to the northeast of the islets. Currents are often strong due to the proximity of Porlier Pass. Biological: No vascular plants are present, but crustose lichens are common in the splash zone which includes the entire rocks.

Two species of seabirds, the Double-crested Cormorant and Glaucous-winged Gull, are known to have nested here. The rocks were not known as a cormorant nesting site until the 1960s, when 30 pairs were counted. These declined to 12 in the 1970s and none in 1981, possibly due to human disturbance. Glaucous- winged Gulls began to nest on the rocks in the 1970s and about 60 pairs were present in 1981, their nesting territories covering about 50% of the land area.

Both Steller and California sea lions began using the Porlier Pass area about 1981, coincident with a general increase in numbers of both species in the Gulf of Georgia during the winter, where they prey heavily on Pacific Herring. About 100 Steller and 400-800 California sea lions were present during 1982- 1984, of which some have intermittently used Canoe Islets as a winter haul- out, particularly when disturbed from more accessible rocks in Stuart and Trincomali channels.

MANAGEMENT CONCERNS

SIGNIFICANT SPECIES BC LIST STATUS COSEWIC STATUS CF PRIORITY Steller (northern) Sea Lion Blue listed Special Concern (2003) 2 California Sea Lion Not At Risk (1987) 6 Glaucous-winged Gull 5 Harbour Seal Not At Risk (1999) 6 Double-crested Cormorant Blue listed Not At Risk (1978) 2 THREATS

Climate Change: Shrinkage of the reserve area and habitat loss will result from rising sea levels, considering the extremely low elevation of the islets (0-3m). Recreation: Marine vessels (motorized and not) disrupt wildlife in reserve.

RESEARCH Nesting sea-bird counts are available. The reserve remains OPPORTUNITIES available for sea-bird or spray zone ecology studies. Warden activities could include monitoring human use, sea level raise and bird populations.

SCIENTIFIC NAMES OF SPECIES MENTIONED IN THE CANOE ISLETS ER ACCOUNT Fauna Cormorant, Double-crested (Phalacrocorax auritus) Gull, Glaucous-winged (Larus glaucescens) Herring, Pacific (Clupea pallasii) Sea Lion, California (Zalophus californianus) Sea Lion, Steller (Eumetopias jubatus) Seal, Harbour (Phoca vitulina)

CLELAND ISLAND ER #1

ORIGINAL PURPOSE To protect breeding populations of many species of seabirds.

OVERVIEW

Date established: 4 May 1971 Location: 14 km W of Tofino, off west ORC #: 3001 coast of Vancouver Island Map number: 92 E/1 Latitude: 49º10’N Longitude: 126º05’W

Total Area: 7.7 ha Elevation: 0-25 m Land: 7.7 ha Access: Closed to public. A permit is required to land on island. Accessible by water.

Biogeoclimatic Zones: Coastal Western Hemlock (CWH) Biogeoclimatic Variant: CWH vh1 CWH Southern Very Wet Hypermaritime Ecosection: Vancouver Island Shelf Region: Vancouver Island Management Area: Clayoquot

COMPOSITION Physical: The reserve comprises a single low-lying island with a central vegetated area rimmed by bare rock. Soils, mainly sands, are strongly affected by ocean spray. Biological: The vegetation consists of a central shrubby core and a surrounding belt of grasses. The exposed portions, especially on the outer edges of the island, have only scattered plant cover. The dense shrubs of the core are salmonberry, Nootka rose and coast black gooseberry , growing to two metres tall. The surrounding grassy belt is composed mostly of dune wildrye and broadleaved herbs. The rocky outcrops are characterized by Tracy’s romanzoffia and villous cinquefoil. Three minor vegetation types are those of silverweed and seabeach sandwort on shell beaches, of slough sedge on a seepage site, and of salal on higher ground.

The grass belt provides nesting sites for Leach’s Storm-petrel, Fork-tailed Storm-petrel, Tufted Puffin, Rhinoceros Auklet and Cassin’s Auklet, which tunnel into the sandy soil. The bare rocks, beach logs and general surface of the island are home to Pigeon Guillemot, Glaucous-winged Gull, Black Oystercatcher, Pelagic Cormorant and a few Common Murres.

Oystercatchers feed on invertebrates found in great abundance in the intertidal zone. Beach logs provide habitat for the Wandering Salamander.

MANAGEMENT CONCERNS

SIGNIFICANT SPECIES BC LIST STATUS COSEWIC STATUS CF PRIORITY

Common Murre Red listed 2 Tufted Puffin Blue listed 2 Cassin’s Auklet Blue listed 2 Rhinoceros Auklet 4 THREATS Climate Change: Being a relatively small low-lying island, the most direct effects of climate change are likely to be associated with the ocean. Higher sea level and increased storm activity are projected to flood and erode the shores of the reserve resulting in the loss of terrestrial habitat and the disturbance of valuable nesting sites. Continual warming of the sea surface temperature could change the composition of the marine and intertidal communities and, subsequently, the composition of the terrestrial community. Of particular concern with this reserve are the potential implications of changes to habitat and marine-based food sources for the seabird species for which the reserve was designated. Recreation: Disturbance of wildlife due to marine vessel transportation has been observed. The threat poses the most risk during sensitive time periods such as breeding and feeding. Transportation: There is a threat of an oil spill due to proximate marine traffic.

RESEARCH Two Ph.D. dissertations on the Black Oystercatcher as well as OPPORTUNITIES publications and reports on oystercatchers, limpets and Rhinoceros Auklets are available through the Theses Portal at http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/thesescanada/index- e.html. Seabird population surveys conducted yearly by the Canadian Wildlife Service are found at http://www.cws- scf.ec.gc.ca/.

SCIENTIFIC NAMES OF SPECIES MENTIONED IN THE CLELAND ISLAND ER ACCOUNT Flora cinquefoil, villous (Potentilla villosa) gooseberry, coast black (Ribes lacustre) romanzoffia, Tracy’s (Romanzoffia tracyi) rose, Nootka (Rosa nutkana) salal (Gaultheria shallon) salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis) sandwort, seabeach (Honkenya peploides) sedge, slough (Carex obnupta) silverweed (Potentilla anserine) wildrye, dune (Elymus mollis)

Fauna Auklet, Cassin’s (Ptychamphus aleutius) Auklet, Rhinoceros (Cerorhinca monocerata) Cormorant, Pelagic (Phalacrocorax pelagicus) Guillemot, Pigeon (Cepphus columba) Gull,Glaucous-winged (Larus glaucescens) Murre, Common (Uvia aalge) Oystercatcher, Black (Haematopus bachmani) Puffin, Tufted (Fratercula cirrhata) Salamander,Wandering (Aneides vagrans) Storm-petrel, Fork-tailed (Oceanodroma furcata) Storm-petrel, Leach’s (Oceanodroma leucorhoa)

FRANCIS POINT ER #153

ORIGINAL PURPOSE To protect a relatively undisturbed example of one of B.C.’s most under- represented biogeoclimatic variants (CWH xm1), and sensitive mosses and lichens on the shallow-soiled coastal bluffs.

OVERVIEW Date established: 20 May 2004 Location: South of Pender Harbour ORC #: 0475 Latitude: 49º 50’ N Map number: 92 F/9 Longitude: 124º 47’ W Total Area: 17 ha Elevation: 0 - 20 m Land: 9 ha Foreshore: 8 ha Access: The reserve can be accessed via trails through the adjacent Francis Point Provincial Park to the east, with access points at the ends of Merrill Road, Rondeview Place, and Francis Peninsula Road. Biogeoclimatic Zone: Coastal Western Hemlock (CWH) Biogeoclimatic Variant: CWHxm1 Eastern Very Dry Maritime Terrestrial Ecosection: Georgia Lowland Marine Ecosection: Strait of Georgia Region: Lower Mainland Management Area: Sunshine Coast

COMPOSITION

Physical: Situated on the Francis Peninsula on the Sunshine Coast west of Pender Harbour, the reserve covers the smaller Moore Peninsula, bordered by on all sides except for an isthmus connecting it to Francis Point Provincial Park to the east. Much of the shore is rock cliff or platform with occasional pocket beaches. A sand and gravel intertidal area along the northeastern edge faces the “Lagoon,” with a small salt marsh at its head.

Biological: The reserve represents a biogeoclimatic variant that is severely under- represented in BC’s protected areas system. As of 2008, only 1.9% of this low elevation BGC variant was represented in protected areas before the establishment of the reserve and adjacent park.

The dry, exposed sites, especially along the coastal bluffs, can be quite sloped with shallow soils. These areas have a thick moss cover and are treed with shore pine, arbutus, and Douglas-fir where the slope is not too extreme. A depression in the centre of the reserve is wetter with a western redcedar – sword fern association. The northern section of the reserve contains a small pond with tule. Mature second growth dry coniferous forest with mossy understory predominates the reserve, but some veteran old growth trees and snags also exist. Some trees are estimated to be over 100 years old. The understory in these areas often includes twinflower, rattlesnake-plantain, kinnikinnick, honeysuckle, Nootka rose, Oregon-grape, trailing blackberry, and mosses such as Oregon beaked moss, Wallace’s selaginella, step moss, electrified cat’s-tail moss, and juniper haircap moss. There is evidence of past logging in the adjacent park.

The open moss/lichen communities on more exposed sites are particularly sensitive to trampling and some of these component species such as the reindeer lichen Cladina portentosa are slow to regrow. There is a notable lack of invasive plants within the reserve, such as Scotch broom, gorse, Himalayan blackberry, and spurge-laurel, that are a common occurrence in other areas with this ecosystem type.

The reserve contains one of three rare-listed plant communities and part of the rare grass–moss/lichen community found in the adjacent Francis Point Provincial Park. The grass-moss/lichen component of the Douglas-fir – lodgepole pine -- Cladina site series includes a number of uncommon grasses not found elsewhere in this series, such as dune bentgrass and a native rare subspecies of red fescue.

A number of surveys since 2000 have identified 35 land bird species, including various types of woodland ducks, hawks, grouse, owls, woodpeckers, and passerines such as flycatchers, swallows, thrushes, vireos, warblers, sparrows and finches. 45 marine bird species have been observed in the area, including species of loons, grebes, cormorants, sea-ducks, gulls and alcids. Most common species include the Pacific Loon, Canada Goose, Bald Eagle, and Bonaparte’s Gull. The Marbled Murrelet has been commonly observed during winter in the marine waters in the area.

Steller and California sea lions are seasonal residents in the area. Pacific Chorus Frogs and Douglas’s Squirrels have also been observed. Herring have been known to spawn in Middle Bay (just south of the reserve), which attracts Harbour Seals and raptors.

Cultural: There are nearby clam middens and canoe skids outside of the ecological reserve.

MANAGEMENT CONCERNS

SIGNIFICANT SPECIES BC LIST COSEWIC STATUS CF STATUS PRIORITY dune bentgrass Yellow 2 Douglas-fir – lodgepole pine/reindeer lichens Red 2 Douglas-fir – lodgepole pine/grey rock-moss Red 2 Western redcedar – sword fern Blue 2 Steller Sea Lion Blue Special Concern (2003) 2 Marbled Murrelet Blue Threatened (2000) 1

THREATS Climate Change: The shore zone along most of the reserve’s perimeter will be altered by rising sea level. Changes in temperature and precipitation regimes may also alter forest community composition with more drought-tolerant plants and invasive species. The reserve boundary may enclose a different ecosystem type than the type it was established to represent. The current community may also be representative of future expanding ecosystems in B.C. Urban and/or rural Adjacent residential development eliminates the buffer zone development: surrounding the reserve, increasing the threat of non-native species invasion.

Increased usage of informal trails could lead to trampling of sensitive mosses and lichens. RESEARCH The reserve offers the opportunity for research in a relatively OPPORTUNITIES undisturbed example of one of B.C.’s most under-represented and under-protected biogeoclimatic variants (CWHxm1).

Species lists from recent surveys and a background report are available to support research.

SCIENTIFIC NAMES OF SPECIES MENTIONED IN THE FRANCIS POINT ER ACCOUNT

Flora arbutus (Arbutus menziesii) bentgrass, dune (Agrostis pallens) blackberry, trailing (Rubus ursinus) Douglas-fir, coast (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii) fern, sword (Polystichum munitum) fescue, native red (Festuca rubra ssp. arenaria) honeysuckle, hairy (Lonicera hispidula) juniper, common (Juniperus communis) kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) moss, electrified cat’s-tail (Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus) moss, juniper haircap (Polytrichum juniperinum) moss, Oregon beaked (Kindbergia oreganum) moss, step (Hylocomium splendens) oceanspray (Holodiscus discolor) Oregon-grape, dull (Mahonia nervosa) pine, shore (Pinus contorta var. contorta) rattlesnake-plantain (Goodyera oblongifolia) redcedar, western (Thuja plicata) reindeer, maritime (Cladina portentosa) rose, Nootka (Rosa nutkana) salal (Gaultheria shallon) selaginella, Wallace's (Selaginella wallacei) tule (Scirpus lacustris) twinflower (Linnaea borealis)

Fauna Eagle, Bald (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) Frog, Pacific Chorus (Pseudacris regilla) [formerly Pacific Tree Frog (Hyla regilla)] Goose, Canada (Branta canadensis) Gull, Bonaparte’s (Chroicocephalus philadelphia) Herring, Pacific (Clupea pallasii) Loon, Pacific (Gavia pacifica) Murrelet, Marbled (Brachyramphus marmoratus) Sea Lion, California (Zalophus californianus) Sea Lion, Steller (Eumetopias jubatus) Seal, Harbour (Phoca vitulina) Squirrel, Douglas’s (Tamiasciurus douglasii)

HUDSON ROCKS ER #137

ORIGINAL PURPOSE To protect seabird breeding habitat and intertidal and nearshore subtidal habitat typical of the Strait of Georgia Marine Ecosection

OVERVIEW Date established: 30 April 1996 Location: 25 km N of Newcastle Island ORC #: 9743 Map number: 92 G/4 Latitude: 49º12’N Marine chart number: 3447 Longitude: 123º54’W Total Area: 50 ha Elevation: -50-10 m Land: 2 ha Marine: 48 ha Access: Accessible by boat.

Biogeoclimatic Zone: Coastal Douglas-Fir (CDF) Biogeoclimatic Variant: CDFmm Moist Maritime Marine Ecosection: Strait of Georgia Region: Vancouver Island Management Area: Qualicum

COMPOSITION

Physical: The reserve is almost entirely subtidal and protects approximately 48 ha of coastal waters and four semi-exposed rocky islets totalling two ha. The waters are influenced by high turbidity and seasonally stratified water temperature in summer. The islets are comprised primarily of undifferentiated mudstone and sandstone bedrock characteristic of the Nanaimo Group of the Late Cretaceous age. The shorelines of the islets gently slope to sea level.

Biological: The reserve is an important breeding and feeding ground for Glaucous-winged Gulls, Pelagic Cormorants, Black Oystercatchers, and Pigeon Guillemots. Other birds that use this area are loon, grebes, Bald Eagles, Harlequin Ducks, Mew Gulls, Common Murres and alcids. The rocks are also used as a haul out area for Harbour Seals, and the foreshore as a nursery area for salmon and herring. There is abundant shellfish habitat and neritic plankton communities. Harbour Porpoises use the marine protected area as well.

Cultural: Hudson Rocks area has known significance to the Snuneymuxw .

MANAGEMENT CONCERNS

SIGNIFICANT SPECIES BC LIST STATUS COSEWIC STATUS CF PRIORITY

Double-crested Cormorant Blue listed Not At Risk (1978) 2

THREATS Climate Change: The rocks in this reserve may be subject to habitat loss due to rising sea levels and increased storm activity. Changes in sea surface temperature may also impact the sea bird populations due to a loss in synchrony between the life cycles of the seabirds and their marine food sources. Such changes may result in reduced reproductive success in the seabird populations, or population relocation due to unsuitable habitat.

Area is a popular local salmon fishing site and the site is along a popular marine vessel corridor. The boats traveling through the Boating Activity: reserve impact nesting behaviour on the rocks. RESEARCH The reserve is a good site for research on seabird populations. OPPORTUNITIES ER WARDEN Annual Bird counts ACTIVITIES Flora inventory Marine life inventories

SCIENTIFIC NAMES OF SPECIES MENTIONED IN THE HUDSON ROCKS ER ACCOUNT Flora None mentioned Fauna Cormorant, Double-crested (Phalacrocorax auritus) Duck, Harlequin (Histrionicus histrionicus) Eagle, Bald (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) Guillemot, Pigeon (Cepphus columba) Gull, Glaucous-winged (Larus glaucescens) Gull, Mew (Larus canus) Herring, Pacific (Clupea pallasii) Loon (Gavia spp.) Murre, Common (Uria aalge) Oystercatcher, Black (Haematopus bachmani) Porpoise, Harbour (Phocoean phocoena) Salmon (Oncorhynhus spp.) Seal, Harbour (Phoca vitulina)

LASQUETI ISLAND ER #4

ORIGINAL PURPOSE To protect vegetation and fauna characteristic of the Coastal Douglas-Fir Zone CURRENT PURPOSE To protect a shoreline forest of one of the largest populations of seaside junipers in British Columbia, two rare plant communities and two blue-listed rare plants

OVERVIEW

Date established: 4 May 1971 Location: South shore of Lasqueti Island, ORC #: 3004 Strait of Georgia, 15km N of Map number: 92 F/8 Parksville Latitude: 49º28’N Longitude: 124º17’W Total Area: 201 ha Elevation: 0-240 m Land: 201 ha

Access: Much of the reserve was selectively logged in the 1960s, and old logging roads are present. Part of the reserve is fenced to keep out feral sheep. Biogeoclimatic Zones: Coastal Douglas-Fir (CDF) Biogeoclimatic Variant: CDF Moist Maritime Ecosection: Strait of Georgia Terrestrial Region: Vancouver Island Management Area: Qualicum

COMPOSITION

Physical: The reserve contains a rocky, irregular hill with slope exposure to the south and east, the steepest slopes, including cliffs to 30 m in height, being near the shoreline. About two kilometres of shoreline is included. Large areas of bare volcanic bedrock are exposed on hill tops, steep slopes, and along the shoreline. Significant soil formation is limited to a few narrow draws and small valleys, and to less rugged terrain near the north boundary. A small peninsula and a cove are present along the eastern shoreline. Biological: As a result of southerly exposure, location at sea level and thin soils, the vegetation here is representative of the very driest habitats within the Coastal Douglas-fir forest. Most of the reserve is covered with open stands of Douglas- fir, arbutus and shore (lodgepole) pine, interspersed with mossy, grassy or bare rock openings. Western redcedar, western hemlock and red alder occur in a few moist draws, and wetland plants in three small swamps. seaside juniper, including specimens of record size, is common near the shoreline, in association with other dry-site plants like prickly-pear cactus, Puget Sound gumweed, and introduced species such as early hairgrass and soft brome.

At least 15 plants considered rare in the province occur here. Most are limited in distribution to the Coastal Douglas-fir Zone, but may be fairly common within that zone. This restricted distribution rather than small population size results in most of these plants being in the category of least concern. Numerous birds have been recorded, some of the more notable being the Turkey Vulture, Bald Eagle, Osprey, Great Horned Owl, Pygmy Owl and Pigeon Guillemot. Native mammals are few, being limited to the Wandering Shrew, Townsend Vole, Deer Mouse, Mink, Raccoon and Black-tailed Deer. River Otters occur along the shoreline. The Pacific Chorus Frog, Northern Alligator Lizard, Western Terrestrial Garter Snake and Northwestern Garter Snake have been recorded.

MANAGEMENT CONCERNS

SIGNIFICANT SPECIES/ECOSYSTEMS BC LIST STATUS COSEWIC CF STATUS PRIORITY Douglas-fir – arbutus association Red listed 1 Douglas-fir – dull Oregon-grape Red listed 1 giant chain fern Blue listed 2 Brewer’s monkey-flower Blue listed 2 poison oak Blue listed 2 Northern Pygmy-owl, ssp. swarthi Blue listed 1 Bald Eagle Not At Risk (1984) 6 Great Horned Owl 6 Hooker’s onion 4 Turkey Vulture 5

THREATS Climate Change: As the climate changes, many species will attempt to adapt by moving to find a suitable climate envelop. In this reserve, the rare plants with restricted distribution could be at risk due to geographic constraints such as habitat fragmentation as a result of logging, as well as the immediate coastline.

Feral Animals: Feral sheep impact vegetation.

RESEARCH A descriptive list of the major plant communities is available. OPPORTUNITIES This is a good opportunity to study the effects of climate change on island populations. The changes could accentuate the island biogeographic effects.

WARDEN ACTIVITIES Maintain fence to keep out sheep. Maintain signage.

SCIENTIFIC NAMES OF SPECIES MENTIONED IN THE LASQUETI ISLAND ER ACCOUNT Flora alder, red (Alnus rubra) arbutus (Arbutus menziesii) brome, soft (Bromus hordeaceus) cactus, brittle prickly-pear (Opuntia fragilis) Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziezii) fern, giant chain (Woodwardia fimbriata ) gumweed, Puget Sound (Grindelia integrifolia) hairgrass, early (Aira praecox) hemlock, western (Tsuga heterophylla) juniper, seaside (Juniperus maritima) monkey-flower, Brewer’s (Mimulus breweri) pine, shore (Pinus contorta var. contorta) poison oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum) redcedar, western (Thuja plicata)

Fauna Deer, Black-tailed (Odocoileus hemionus hemionus) Eagle, Bald (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) Frog, Pacific Chorus (Pseudacris regilla) Guillemot, Pigeon (Cepphus columba) Lizard, Northern Alligator (Elgaria coerulea) Mink, American (Neovison vison) Mouse, Deer (Peromyscus maniculatus) Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) Otter, Northern River (Lontra canadensis) Owl, Great-horned (Bubo virginianus) Owl, Northern Pygmy (Glaucidium gnoma) Raccoon (Procyon lotor) Shrew, Wandering (Sorex vagrans) Snake, Northwestern Garter (Thamnophis ordinoides) Snake, Western Terrestrial Garter (Thamnophis elegans) Vole, Townsend (Microtus townsendi) Vulture, Turkey (Cathartes aura)

MEGIN RIVER ER #105

ORIGINAL PURPOSE To preserve an alluvial Sitka spruce-western redcedar forest

OVERVIEW Date established: 9 July 1981 Location: At the mouth of Megin River, Shelter ORC #: 3105 Inlet, 21 km NNW of Tofino. The Map number: 82 E/8 reserve is encompassed by Strathcona Provincial Park Latitude: 49º26’N Longitude: 126º05’W Total Area: 50 ha Elevation: 0-100 m Land: 50 ha Access: Access by boat from Tofino. Although access is difficult at present, the Megin River has potential for canoeing. Biogeoclimatic Zone: Coastal Western Hemlock (CWH) Biogeoclimatic Variant: CWHvm1 Submontane Very Wet Maritime Ecosection: Windward Island Mountians Region: Vancouver Island Management Area: Clayoquot

COMPOSITION

Physical: The reserve occupies the lower kilometre of the Megin River valley, and mostly consists of level floodplain lands having alluvial surficial materials. Soils developed on these deposits are very rich regosols. The western side of the reserve encompasses valley slopes above the floodplain. The Megin River, subject to pronounced seasonal variations in flow, has a gravel-cobble bottom, extensive gravel bars along its margins, and many long pools. It has a very low gradient, dropping only 20 m along its 10 km course from Megin Lake to the sea. Biological: Alluvial lands support old-growth Sitka spruce trees reaching 1.5 m in diameter and 60 m in height, and western redcedars up to two m in diameter and 50 m tall. Four plant communities have been described in the reserve. Tall shrub stands dominated by red alder, willows, and salmonberry occur as riparian strips between gravel bars and the adjacent forest. The large island and downstream alluvial lands support tall Sitka spruce-western redcedar stands having an understory of salmonberry, red-osier dogwood, devil’s club, false bugbane, and lady fern. Slopes to the west of the river are dominated by western redcedar-western hemlock forest with an understory of shrubs such as Alaskan blueberry, red huckleberry, and evergreen huckleberry. On the ridge crest along the west boundary, the forest is dominated by western redcedar and lodgepole pine, and common understory species are salal, fern-leaved goldthread, and sphagnum mosses.

The Megin River system supports significant spawning runs of sockeye, chinook, coho, pink, and chum salmon. Chum salmon, and perhaps other species, spawn within the reserve.

MANAGEMENT CONCERNS

SIGNIFICANT SPECIES BC LIST STATUS COSEWIC STATUS CF PRIORITY

Chinook Salmon Threatened (2006) 2 Chum Salmon 6 Coho Salmon Endangered (2002) 2 Pink Salmon 6 Endangered (2003) 2

THREATS Climate Change: The wetland areas of this reserve may be at risk of drying as temperatures rise and hydrology changes.

The Sitka spruce forest systems are projected to decline in area, and be replaced by coniferous forest systems adapted to warmer, drier climatic conditions. Forestry: Forestry activities may encroach on reserve boundaries and may pose risks to ecological integrity of the ecosystem due to adjacency impacts (e.g. changed hydrology, sediment management, introduction of invasive species etc.). Program constraint: Lack of knowledge of natural and cultural values makes protection difficult. Recreation: Heavy volume of boat traffic disrupts wildlife.

Transportation: There is the threat of oil spill due to tanker traffic and cargo ships travelling in the shipping lane. RESEARCH The reserve provides a site for the study of old growth floodplain OPPORTUNITIES forest biology and salmon spawning.

SCIENTIFIC NAMES OF SPECIES MENTIONED IN THE MEGIN RIVER ER ACCOUNT

Flora alder, red (Alnus rubra) blueberry, Alaskan (Vaccinium alaskaense) bugbane, false (Trautvetteria caroliniensis) devil’s club (Oplopanax horridus) dogwood, red-osier (Cornus stolonifera) fern, lady (Athyrium filix-fernina) goldthread, spleen-leaved (Coptis aspleniifolia) hemlock, western (Tsuga heterophylla) huckleberry, evergreen (Vaccinium ovatum) huckleberry, red (Vaccinium parvifolium) moss, peat (Sphagnum spp.) pine, lodgepole (Pinus contorta var. latifolia) redcedar, western (Thuja plicata) salal (Gaultheria shallon) salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis) spruce, Sitka (Picea sitchensis) willow (Salix spp.) Fauna Salmon, Chinook (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha ) Salmon, Chum (Oncorhynchus keta) Salmon, Coho (Oncorhynchus kisutch) Salmon, Pink (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) Salmon, Sockeye (Oncorhynchus nerka)

MOUNT MAXWELL ER #37

ORIGINAL PURPOSE To protect outstanding Garry oak stands and associated vegetation

OVERVIEW Date established: 2 June 1972 Location: Facing , central Date amended: 20 May 2004 west coast of ORC #: 3037 Latitude: 48º49’N Map number: 92 B/13 Longitude: 123º32’W

Total Area: 390 ha Elevation: 0-475 m Land: 390 ha

Access: Access is easiest by water through the Sansum Narrows.

Biogeoclimatic Zones: Coastal Douglas-Fir (CDF); Coastal Western Hemlock (CWH). Biogeoclimatic Variant: CDF mm CDF Moist Maritime; CWH xm 1 CWH Eastern Very Dry Maritime Ecosection: Southern Gulf Islands Region: Vancouver Island Management Area: Saanich/Southern Gulf Islands

COMPOSITION Physical: The reserve is on the strongly sloping southwest side of Baynes Peak. Surficial materials are colluvium and weathered bedrock derived from sandstone. Soils are thin, poorly developed, and subject to summer drought. Dominant soils are Brunisols, but small areas of Podzols occur. Streams and wetlands are absent, except for local seepage. The dry summer climate is accentuated by the reserve’s southwestern exposure. Biological: The reserve is largely forested, but due to its aridity and presence of rocky outcrops, the tree stands are fairly open, giving a parkland appearance. Three major habitat types are present, Garry oak stands, Douglas-fir forest, and rocky outcrops. Transitional types occur between these habitat types and a small logged area dominated by bracken fern and Scotch broom. Substrate variability results in frequent vegetation changes over short distances. Garry oak trees may occur in pure stands with a shrubless understory on some dry sites and Douglas-fir -sword fern stands on the most moist areas with good soil development. Rock outcrops are dominated by moss and selaginella. Despite heavy grazing, many species of showy spring wildflowers occur on seasonally moist sites among the oak woods and rocky outcrops. About 140 species of vascular plants and 20 species of mosses have been identified. Several plants that are rare in the province occur here. The reserve has a diverse insect fauna; preliminary surveys have identified 172 species representing 98 families. One species, the western oak looper, periodically defoliates oak and Douglas-fir trees in the reserve.

The vertebrate fauna includes the Pacific Tree Frog, Northern Alligator Lizard, Northwestern Garter Snake, red-sided garter snake, Townsend Vole, Deermouse, Red Squirrel, Mink, Raccoon, Black-tailed Deer and many birds. Cultural: The reserve protects a complex network of subsurface shell midden sites and a rock shelter used by First Nations for multiple purposes.

MANAGEMENT CONCERNS

SIGNIFICANT SPECIES/ECOSYSTEMS BC LIST COSEWIC STATUS CF STATUS PRIORITY yellow montane violet Red listed Endangered (2007) 1 California hedge-parsley Red listed 1 Douglas-fir – arbutus association Red listed 1 Garry oak – California brome Red listed 2 association Garry oak – oceanspray association Red listed 2 Gray’s desert-parsley Red listed Threatened (2008) 2 scalepod Red listed 2 Propertius Duskywing Blue listed 2 slimleaf onion Blue listed 2 farewell-to-spring Blue listed 2 prickly-pear cactus 6 Hooker’s onion 4

THREATS Climate Change: Garry Oak ecosystems are highly endangered in British Columbia. If the future climate is drier and warmer, as projected by the IPCC, these endangered forest systems may expand, provided this expansion is not impeded by infrastructure and other development. The vegetation that characteristically grows under the Garry oak canopy, however, may be displaced by aggressive, invasive species. Forest health: Fire suppression has caused an ecosystem shift from grassland to a shrub forest community

Non-native species A spraying program for Gypsy moths implemented outside the (fauna): reserve is affecting a population of rare and endangered native moth species in the reserve. Non-native species Scotch broom and Himalayan blackberry and other extremely (flora): invasive weed species are converting the meadows to shrub communities. Program Lack of regular patrolling/monitoring and implementation of constraint: management plan threatens preservation of ecosystem.

Recreation:  User-created trails act as attractors for other visitor causing habitat degradation.  Mountain biking on unimproved trails leads to soil compaction and alteration of water drainage patterns.  Quads and horses are beginning to impact the ER. RESEARCH Preliminary reports available on vegetation, insects, and OPPORTUNITIES vertebrates.

ER WARDEN  Monitor visitation and mountain biking where ACTIVITIES observed (report prohibited activities to Area Supervisor)  Monitor and report prohibited grazing activity in ER to Area Supervisor  Continue to survey both flora and fauna present in ER  Monitor for invasive plants and animals (control or eradicate where possible)

SCIENTIFIC NAMES OF SPECIES MENTIONED IN THE MOUNT MAXWELL ER ACCOUNT

Flora cactus, prickly-pear (Opuntia fragilis) desert-parsley, Gray’s (Lomatium grayi) Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) farewell-to-spring (Clarkia amoena var. caurina and var. lindleyi) fern, bracken (Pteridium aquilinum ssp. lanuginosum and ssp. latiusculum) fern, sword (Polystichum munitum) hedge-parsley, California (Yabea microcarpa) oak, Garry (Quercus garryana) onion, Hooker’s (Allium acuminatum) onion, slimleaf (Allium amplectens) scalepod (Idahoa scapigera) selaginella (Selaginella spp.) violet, yellow montane (Viola praemorsa ssp. praemorsa)

Invasive broom, Scotch (Cytisus scoparius) blackberry, Himalayan (Rubus armeniacus) Fauna Deer, Black-tailed (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus) Deermouse (Peromyscus spp.) Duskywing, Propertius (Erynnis propertius) Frog, Pacific Chorus (Pseudacris regilla) [formerly Pacific Tree Frog (Hyla regilla)*] Lizard, Northern Alligator (Elgaria coerulea) Looper, Western Oak (Lambdina fiscellaria somniaria) Mink (Neovison spp.) Raccoon (Procyon lotor) Snake, Red-Sided Garter (Thamnophis sirtalis) Snake, Northwestern Garter (Thamnophis ordinoides) Squirrel, Red (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) Vole, Townsend (Microtus townsendi)

OAK BAY ISLANDS ER #94

ORIGINAL PURPOSE To protect vulnerable nesting seabirds, uncommon meadow communities showy and rare early spring wildflowers, and representative shallow-water marine habitats

OVERVIEW Date established: 26 July 1979 Location: The reserve has three units, the Date amended (boundary largest (Great Chain Island and Chain expansion): 28 March 1991 Islets) being 2 km E of Oak Bay; ORC #: 3094 Jemmy Jones Island is 2.5 km N of Map number: 92 B/6 Great Chain Island in Baynes Marine chart number: 3423 Channel; Alpha Island, part of the Chatham-Discovery Group, is 5.5 km E of Oak Bay Latitude: 48º25’N Longitude: 123º16’W Total Area: 232 ha Elevation: -9-15 m Land: 11 ha Marine: 221 Access: Accessible by boat.

Biogeoclimatic Zone: Coastal Douglas-Fir (CDF) Biogeoclimatic Variant: CDFmm Moist Maritime Ecosection: Strait of Georgia Region: Vancouver Island Management Area: Saanich/Southern Gulf Islands

COMPOSITION

Physical: Islands and islets comprise about seven ha of the reserve, the remainder being subtidal. The islands are low, rounded and composed of Saanich grano-diorite bedrock. The three largest islands have a mantle of marine glacial drift upon which thin soils have developed, those in meadow situations being of sandy loam texture. Bedrock exposures are common and predominate around the shorelines. Shoreline features include a few steep faces, rocky outcrops, boulders, crevices, wave-cut chasms and small gravel beaches. At least 30 exposed rocky reefs occur in the area. Significant climatic features are frequent strong winds and a cool-summer Mediterranean climate.

Biological: The islands are treeless. The three largest, particularly Great Chain and Alpha, support a fairly continuous herbaceous cover, interrupted occasionally by shrub thickets and bedrock outcrops. Eight vegetation types have been described, their distribution being primarily determined by distance from shore, soil depth and moisture regime. Shrub stands dominated by baldhip rose and tall Oregon-grape occupy sheltered inland locations. Prominent species in meadows are the great camas, bracken, dune wildrye, fern-leaved desert-parsley and western buttercup. Also present is a vernal sward dominated by silver and early hairgrass, field chickweed and clover. Lance-leaved stonecrop, early hairgrass and prickly-pear cactus occur on soil pockets between rock outcrops and sea plantain, entire-leaved gumweed and thrift are found on rock outcrops receiving salt spray. The lichens Xanthoria candelaria, Parmelia conspersa and Ochrolechia spp. form an association on bare rock. Another lichen, Haemotoma lapponicum, is very rare. Local sites enriched by river otter and seabird droppings and food remains have distinctive plant species.

Sixty-three species of vascular plants have been recorded on Alpha Island, an area of less than one ha. Of those, at least 18 are in bloom by mid-April, among them showy stands of camas, golden paintbrush, sea blush and chocolate lily. Many plants listed as rare in British Columbia occur in the reserve, the more prominent being golden Indian paintbrush, California buttercup and snakeroot sanicle.

Intertidal communities are typical of the Victoria area; barnacles and seaweeds of the genera Enteromorpha and Fucus are common. The extensive subtidal area has not been studied, but species occurrence is probably similar to nearby Ten Mile Point Ecological Reserve.

Great Chain Island is one of the three largest seabird rookeries in the Gulf of Georgia, recently supporting nearly 600 pairs of double-crested cormorants, 400 pairs of pelagic cormorants and over 5000 pairs of glaucous-winged gulls. Double-crested cormorants were not known to nest here prior to 1976 and pelagic cormorants have steadily increased from the 70 pairs counted in 1960 to a total of over 2000 individuals. A few pigeon guillemots and black oystercatchers also nest. Song sparrows are common land birds and nest in shrub stands. A variety of marine birds occur seasonally among the reefs and islands. About 50 harbour seals regularly haul out in summer, mainly on the smaller reefs. Mink and river otter occur; other land mammals are apparently absent.

Cultural: This area was traditional bulb harvesting territory of the Songhees First Nations.

MANAGEMENT CONCERNS SIGNIFICANT SPECIES BC LIST STATUS COSEWIC STATUS CF PRIORITY baldhip rose 6 beach sand-spurry 4 Black Oystercatcher 5 bracken fern 2 Brandt’s Cormorant Red listed 1 brittle prickly-pear cactus 6 California buttercup Red listed Endangered (2008) 1 chocolate lily 6 Dall’s Porpoise Not At Risk (1989) 4 Double-crested Cormorant Blue listed Not At Risk (1978) 4

THREATS Climate Change: These small, low-lying islands may be subject to habitat loss due to the raised sea levels and increased storm activity that is projected to occur. Raised sea surface temperature is also projected to occur, and may affect the life cycles of marine life, subsequently affecting the life cycles and reproductive success of the protected seabird populations. Geological processes: Natural wave action is eroding the shoreline features and First Nation’s shell middens. Non-native species: Aggressively invasive carpet burweed is predicted to occur.

Recreation: Marine vessels and people engaging in wildlife viewing disrupt the marine mammal and bird behaviour due to noise and proximity. Transportation: There is a threat of an oil spill from tankers and cargo ships travelling in the shipping lane.

RESEARCH Gull population dynamics have been studied on Great Chain Island by OPPORTUNITIES staff of the British Columbia Provincial Museum. Reports are available on cormorant surveys at Chain Islands and on the vegetation of Alpha Island. Surveys of marine life are needed. SCIENTIFIC NAMES OF SPECIES MENTIONED IN THE OAK BAY ISLANDS ER ACCOUNT

Flora burweed , carpet (Soliva sessilis) buttercup, California (Ranunculus californicus) buttercup, western (Ranunculus occidentalis var. occidentalis) cactus, brittle prickly-pear (Opuntia fragilis) camas, great (Camassia leichtlinii ssp. suksdorfii) chickweed, field (Cerastium arvense) desert-parsley, fern-leaved (Lomatium dissectum) fern, bracken (Pteridium aquilinum) gumweed, Puget Sound (Grindelia integrifolia) hairgrass, early (Aira praecox) hairgrass, silver (Aira caryophyllea) lichen ( Xanthoria candelaria) lichen (Haemotoma lapponicum) lichen (Ochrolechia spp.) lichen (Parmelia conspersa) lily, chocolate (Fritillaria affinis) Oregon-grape, tall (Mahonia aquifolium) paintbrush, golden (Castilleja levisecta) plantain, sea (Plantago maritima ssp. juncoides) rose, baldhip (Rosa gymnocarpa) sand-spurry, beach (Spergularia macrotheca ssp. macrotheca) sanicle, snake-root (Sanicula arctopoides) seablush (Plectritis congesta) stonecrop, lance-leaved (Sedum lanceolatum) thrift (Armeria maritima) wildrye, dune (Leymus mollis ssp. mollis)

Fauna Cormorant, Brandt’s (Phalacrocorax penicillatus) Cormorant, Double-crested (Phalacrocorax auritus) Cormorant, Pelagic (Phalacrocorax pelagicus) Guillemot, Pigeon (Cepphus columba) Gull, Glaucous-winged (Larus glaucescens) Mink, American (Neovison vison) Otter, Northern River (Lontra canadensis) Oystercatcher, Black (Haematopus bachmani) Porpoise, Dall’s (Phocoenoides dalli) Seal, Harbour (Phoca vitulina) Sparrow, Song (Melospiza melodia)

RACE ROCKS ER #97

ORIGINAL PURPOSE To protect intertidal and subtidal communities that are extremely rich as a result of strong tidal currents

OVERVIEW Date established: 27 March 1980 Location: In the , 17 km Date amended (boundary SW of Victoria, 1.5 km off the revision): 12 Feb. 2001 extreme southern tip of Vancouver Island ORC #: 3097 Map number: 92 B/5 Latitude: 48º18’N Marine chart number: 3641 Longitude: 123º32’W Total Area: 227 ha Elevation: -36.5-10 m Land: 2 ha Marine: 225 ha Access: Accessible only by boat, but no sheltered moorage is available.

Biogeoclimatic Zone: Coastal Douglas-Fir (CDF) Biogeoclimatic Variant: CDFmm Moist Maritime Ecosection: Juan de Fuca Region: Vancouver Island Management Area: Juan de Fuca

COMPOSITION

Physical: The reserve is almost entirely subtidal, but includes 11 islets (based on 1:20,000 shorezone mapping) comprising approximately 2 hectares. Intertidal and subtidal zones have substrates primarily of continuous rock, and a rugged topography which includes cliffs, chasms, benches and surge channels. The location at the southern tip of Vancouver Island, plus the rugged shallow seabottom, result in strong currents, eddies, and turbulence.

Biological: Energy and nutrient inputs attributable to the nearly continuous currents are large, and light penetration in these shallow, clear waters is excellent. These factors result in a high production of algae and invertebrates, while the varied topography promotes ecological diversity. Consequently, the marine communities here are unusually luxuriant and rich. Many species of algae have been recorded, including extensive stands of bull kelp. Invertebrate features include long surviving specimens of mussels, an abundance of plumose and proliferating anemones, large numbers of sponges and ascidians, occurrence of soft pink coral, and presence of showy high-current species like the basket star. A complete list of known species is maintained at: www.racerocks.com/racerock/eco/taxalab/taxonomy.htm

Marine mammals sighted in the reserve are the killer and gray whale, harbour seal, Steller and California sea lion, elephant seal, and fur seal. The killer whale is a regular visitor; the gray whale is spotted occasionally. Harbour seals haul-out on rocks here in summer. In recent years both Steller and California sea lions have used Race Rocks as a winter haul-out.

Seabirds nest on eight islets in the reserve including Great Race Rock. Nesting seabirds include pelagic cormorants, glaucous-winged gulls, pigeon guillemots, and black oystercatchers.

Cultural: This area is traditional fishing territory for Coast Salish First Nations.

MANAGEMENT CONCERNS SIGNIFICANT SPECIES BC LIST STATUS COSEWIC STATUS CF PRIORITY

Killer Whale Red listed Endangered (2008) 2 Brandt’s cormorant Red listed 1 Grey Whale Blue listed Special Concern (2004) 4 Harbour Porpoise Blue listed Special Concern (2003) 4 Steller Sea Lion Blue listed Special Concern (2003) 2 Black Oystercatcher 6 California sea lion 6 Dall’s Porpoise Not At Risk (1989) 4 Glaucous-winged Gull Not At Risk (1989) 5 Peregrine Falcon Red listed1 Special Concern (2007) 1 Harbour Seal 6 Northern Elephant Seal Not At Risk (1999) 5 Northern Fur Seal Red listed Not At Risk (1986) 2 Pelagic Cormorant Threatened (2006) 5 Western Pearlwort 4

THREATS Climate Change: Raised sea level combined with increased intensity and frequency of storms may lead to habitat degradation/ loss. Raised sea surface temperature may alter phenology, distribution, predator prey dynamics of marine life in intertidal and subtidal communities. Harvest: Illegal harvest of abalone, marine fish, shellfish, ling cod and rock fish occurs. Military: Military activities (demolition of explosives) occur 1.5 km from the northern island in the reserve, disturbing the wildlife.

Military and coast guard aircraft fly over the reserve and sometimes land within reserve. The noise disrupts the wildlife.

Recreation: Whale watching vessels, private boats, and dive charter boats are encroaching on reserve. The reserve currently does not include the water column.

1 It is not clear which subspecies of Peregrine Falcon has been seen in Race Rocks ER and therefore the most at risk rating/priority between the two (pealei and anatum) is given in this table. Transportation: Commercial overflights and Parks Canada overflights disrupt marine mammals. There is a threat of an oil spill from tankers and cargo ships travelling in the shipping lane.

Discharge from cruise ships and foreign ballast pose a threat from pollution and exotic species respectively.

RESEARCH This is an important teaching site for Lester B. Pearson College. The OPPORTUNITIES College maintains a field station with accommodation and lab space for researches. They provide an important monitoring function and have the most comprehensive environmental information on the reserve. Their inventory and monitoring data can be accessed at www.racerocks.com . SCIENTIFIC NAMES OF SPECIES MENTIONED IN THE RACE ROCKS ER ACCOUNT

Flora pearlwort, western (Sagina decumbens ssp. occidentalis) rose, baldhip (Rosa gymnocarpa) Fauna Cormorant, Brandt’s (Phalacrocorax penicillatus) Cormorant, Pelagic (Phalacrocorax pelagicus) Guillemot, Pigeon (Cepphus columba) Gull, Glaucous-winged (Larus glaucescens) Oystercatcher, Black (Haematopus bachmani) Porpoise, Dall’s (Phocoenoides dalli) Porpoise, Harbour (Phocoean phocoena) Sea Lion, California (Zalophus californianus) Sea Lion, Stellar (Eumetopias jubatus) Seal, Harbour (Phoca vitulina) Seal, Northern Elephant (Mirounga angustirostris) Seal, Northern Fur (Callorhinus ursinus) Whale, Grey (Eschrichtius robustus) Whale, Killer (Orcinus orca)

ROSE ISLETS ER #18

ORIGINAL PURPOSE To protect nesting seabirds

OVERVIEW Date established: 4 May 1971 Location: Off N tip of Reid Island, ORC #: 3018 Trincomali Channel, 11 km Map number: 92 G/4 NE of Chemainus Marine chart number: 3443 Latitude: 49º01’N Longitude: 123º39’W Total Area: 1 ha Elevation: 0-4 m Land: 1 ha

Access: Closed to the public by Order-in-Council no. 1920, on 16 June 1977 to protect nesting seabirds, which are extremely vulnerable to disturbance at this location. A permit is required to land on the islets, and they are accessibly by boat. Biogeoclimatic Zones: Coastal Douglas-Fir (CDF) Biogeoclimatic Variant: CDF mm; Moist Maritime Ecosection: Strait of Georgia Region: Vancouver Island Management Area: Saanich/ Southern Gulf Islands

COMPOSITION Physical: The reserve includes a chain of five low rocky islets oriented in a northwest- southeast direction. These are made up of glaciated and wave-worn sedimentary bedrock of the Nanaimo Group, and located between Thetis and Valdes islands in northern Trincomali Channel. The three largest islets have small areas of shallow soil sufficient for vascular plant establishment. Intertidal shorelines are predominantly bedrock. Surrounding waters in Trincomali Channel are mostly 20 to 30 m in depth. Currents are minor, and wave action is tempered by the sheltered location among the Gulf Islands. Biological: Approximately 40 species of plants, including vascular species, bryophytes and lichens, are present on the three largest islets and are uniquely adapted for the extreme environment. These are species typical of shallow soil and rocky crevice habitats subjected to summer drought associated with the cool-summer Mediterranean climate. Herbs, grasses and a few shrubs are present, but no trees. Vegetation patterns appear to be greatly influenced by soil depth, exposure and possibly by nesting cormorants.

About 180 pairs of Double-crested Cormorants nested here in 1968, but the number declined to 80 by 1975, 33 in 1981 and 12 in 1983. At least 20 pairs of Glaucous-winged Gulls nest on the islets. A few Pigeon Guillemots and Black Oystercatchers occur, and may nest. Several other species of seabirds utilize surrounding waters, especially in winter and spring.

Algae in adjacent intertidal-subtidal habitats include sea lettuce (Ulva sp.), five species of brown algae and 23 of red algae.

MANAGEMENT CONCERNS

SIGNIFICANT SPECIES BC LIST STATUS COSEWIC CF PRIORITY STATUS Double-crested Cormorant Blue listed Not At Risk (1978) 2 Glaucous-winged Gull 5 Pelagic Cormorant 5 Pigeon Guillemot 2 Black Oystercatcher 5 THREATS Climate Change: Inundation of the reserve area and habitat loss could result from raised sea levels, considering the extremely low elevation of the islets (0-3m). Recreation: Marine vessels (motorized and not) disrupt wildlife in reserve.

RESEARCH Nesting sea-bird counts are available. The reserve would benefit OPPORTUNITIES from an intensive biodiversity survey. Research opportunities range from for sea-bird to islet ecology studies. Warden activities could include monitoring human use, sea level raise and bird populations

SCIENTIFIC NAMES OF SPECIES MENTIONED IN THE ROSE ISLETS ER ACCOUNT Fauna Cormorant, Double-crested (Phalacrocorax auritus) Cormorant, Pelagic (Phalacrocorax pelagicus) Guillemot, Pigeon (Cepphus columba) Gull, Glaucous-winged (Larus glaucescens) Oystercatcher, Black (Haematopus bachmani)

SATELLITE CHANNEL E.R. #67

ORIGINAL PURPOSE To conserve rich benthic communities typical of fine-grained, level- bottom environments in the southern Gulf of Georgia

OVERVIEW Date established: 24 October 1975 Location: In central Satellite Channel, Order-in-Council number: 3294 between the Saanich Application number: 172 Peninsula and Salt Spring Map number: 92 B/11 Island, 5 km NNW of Marine chart number: 3452 Patricia Bay Latitude: 48º42’N Longitude: 123º29’W Total Area: 340 ha Elevation: -82-0 m Land: 0 ha Marine: 340 ha Access: Entire reserve is marine; accessible by boat through Satellite Channel Biogeoclimatic Zone: Not applicable - subtidal Biogeoclimatic Variant: Not applicable Marine Ecosection: Strait of Georgia Region: Vancouver Island Management Area: Saanich/ Gulf Islands

COMPOSITION

Physical: The reserve consists only of sea floor habitat. Most of the width of Satellite Channel is included, the northern boundary coming within 200 m of the Salt Spring Island shoreline at Cape Keppel, the southern edge within 200 m of the on the north side of Moses Point. Most of the reserve has a relatively level bottom under water depths of 55 to 80 m. The shallowest areas, about 18 m, are at the southwest corner. The fine-grained bottom sediments consist of 62% sand, 24% silt, and 14% clay. Biological: The benthic infauna is diverse in species and high in biomass. At least 67 species occur, of which bivalve and gastropod molluscs, errant and sedentary polychaetes, and echinoderms are particularly diverse. Repeated sampling has indicated nine species to be ecologically significant, based on defined criteria. These nine are errant polychaetes of the genera Lumbrinereis and Nephtys; the sedentary polychaetes Maldane glebifex, Sternaspis fossor, and a Prionospio; the pelecypods Compsomyax subdiaphana, Macoma elimata, and Yoldia ensifera; and the brittle star Ophiura sarsi. Studies over time have shown this community to be stable.

The benthic community has thousands of organisms per square metre largely due to thick masses of two tubicolous poloychaetes, Maldane glebifex and Prionospio sp. It also has a heavy standing crop, with the dry-weight biomass of about 60 g/m2, largely attributable to the large pelecypod Compsomyax subdiaphana and other large species including Lumbrinereis, Travisia, Macoma, Yoldia, and a holothurian, Molpadia intermedia. Standing crops to the east and west of the reserve tend to be lower.

MANAGEMENT CONCERNS SIGNIFICANT SPECIES None listed

THREATS Climate Change: Impacts related to climate changes that will drive benthic communities in this reserve include increased ocean temperature, decreased pH, altered coastal hydrology (rainfall and peak hydrograph patterns) and increased sedimentation due to sea level rise and increased storm activity. Temperature, pH and sedimentation rates directly influence benthic community structure while coastal hydrology and storm activity influences primary productivity patterns which, through food webs, will influence benthic communities. The benthic species response to these changes is not well understood, though the changing environmental conditions will favour those species that can adapt to higher sedimentation rates, lower pH, and greater variability in food availability. RESEARCH This is the only completely subtidal reserve in British Columbia. OPPORTUNITIES Very high diversity and production of benthic infauna exists here. Research on faunal stability, diversity and biomass has been undertaken by University of Victoria biologists since 1965. SCIENTIFIC NAMES OF SPECIES MENTIONED IN THE SATELLITE CHANNEL ER ACCOUNT

Fauna Macoma, Beveled (Macoma elimata) Polychaete (Lumbrinereis sp.) Polychaete (Maldane glebifex) Polychaete (Nephytys sp.) Polychaete (Prionospio sp.) Polychaete (Sternaspis fossor) Polychaete (Travisia sp.) Sea Cucumber, Sweet Potato (Molpadia intermedia) Star, Brittle (Ophiura sarsi) Venus, Milky Pacific (Compsomyax subdiaphana) Yoldia (Yoldia ensifera)

TEN MILE POINT ER #66

ORIGINAL PURPOSE To provide an undisturbed, intertidal and subtidal study area accessible by road in the Area

OVERVIEW Date established: 24 October 1975 Location: At Cadboro Point, 3.5 km ORC #: 3066 SE of the University of Map number: 92 B/6f Victoria Marine chart number: 3423 Latitude: 48º27’N Longitude: 123º15’W Total Area: 15 ha Elevation: -11-5 m Land: 1 ha Marine: 14 ha Access: Accessible by road.

Biogeoclimatic Zone: Coastal Douglas-Fir (CDF) Biogeoclimatic Variant: CDFmm Moist Maritime: Upland area too small to be representative Ecosection: Nanaimo Lowland: Upland area too small to be representative Region: Vancouver Island Management Area: Juan de Fuca

COMPOSITION

Physical: The reserve includes about 450 m of intertidal shoreline along Cadboro Point, and extends seaward for 300-400 m. About 30% of its area is above mean low water, 70% below. Coastal features include a sheltered cove (Maynard Bay), rocky headlands, tidepools, ripcurrent channels and four barren islets accessible at low tide. Intertidal substrates are about 80% bedrock, 10% mixed sand-gravel- mud and 10% sorted gravel. A large intertidal area is exposed at low tide. Biological: Zonation on the rocky shore is typical of southern Vancouver Island. A band of yellow lichen occupies the upper splash zone, followed by a black lichen (Verrucaria) zone which frequently contains the green alga Prasiola. Below this is a sparsely populated band having a few strands of attached green algae and small barnacles, then a wide rockweed (Fucus) zone extending to low water. A few winkles and limpets occur above and within the rockweed zone.

Forty-two species of algae have been noted at one to eight metre depths in Maynard Bay. The only common green alga is Ulva sp. Significant brown algae are Costaria costata, Desmarestia intermedia, D. ligulata and Laminaria spp. Among the 32 species of red algae, many of which form a low turf, Ceramium sp., Odonthalia floccosa, Plocamium violaceum, P. tenue, Laurencia spectabilis and Callophyllis flabellulata are quite widespread.

Typical invertebrates on subtidal bedrock and boulder sites in Maynard Bay are barnacles (Balanus cariosus, B. nubilus), red sea cucumbers, ochre stars, black and gum-boot chitons, sea anemones, pinto abalone and giant red sea urchins. Inhabitants of mud, sand and shell substrates include the blood star, California cucumber, butter clam and cockle. At least 55 species of invertebrates have been recorded in the reserve, of which molluscs, crustaceans and echinoderms are notably diverse.

Cultural: An archaeological site protecting a shell midden is located outside the reserve at the head of Maynard Cove behind Cadboro Point. An unrecorded precontact burial cairn observed on an islet within the reserve.

MANAGEMENT CONCERNS SIGNIFICANT SPECIES BC LIST STATUS COSEWIC STATUS CF PRIORITY

Northern Abalone Red listed Threatened (2000) 2 Alaskan sagebrush Blue listed 3 Black Oystercatcher 5 Harbour Seal Not At Risk (1999) 6

THREATS Climate Change: Raised sea levels have been projected as a direct result of climate change, due to glacial melt, increased runoff and the expansion of the ocean water due to warmer temperatures. Changes to the structure of inter and subtidal communities may result in response to habitat loss or degradation from increased storm activity and higher sea level, along with the increased sea surface temperature. Certain species’ life cycle patterns may also change in response to these new conditions, altering the relationship between predators and prey both within the water and above.

Also of concern with this reserve is the geographical restriction of adaptation through migration due to the proximity of urban infrastructure and coastal development. Transportation: There is the threat of oil spill from nearby marine traffic. Non-native species: Introduction of invasive species via adjacent roads.

RESEARCH Marine environments accessible by land, within minutes, for OPPORTUNITIES researchers and students in the Greater Victoria area. Reports are available listing marine algae and invertebrates. SCIENTIFIC NAMES OF SPECIES MENTIONED IN THE TEN MILE POINT ER ACCOUNT Flora alga, brown (aka seersucker) (Costaria costata) alga, brown (Desmarestia intermedia) alga, brown (Laminaria spp.) alga, red (Ceramium sp.) alga, red (Plocamium tenue) alga, red (Plocamium violaceum) alga, red (aka “sea brush”) (Odonthalia floccose) alga, red (Callophyllis flabellulata) alga, red (Laurencia spectabilis) kelp, flattened sea (Desmarestia ligulata) lichen, black (Verrucaria sp.) sagebrush, Alaskan (Artemisia alaskana)

Fauna Abalone, Northern (aka Pinto Abalone) (Haliotis kamtschatkana) Barnacle, Giant (Balanus nubilus) Barnacle, Thatched (Semibalanus cariosus) Chiton, Black (Katharina tunicata) Chiton, Gumboot (Cryptochiton stelleri) Clam, Butter (Saxidomus giganteus) Oystercatcher, Black (Haematopus bachmani) Sea Cucumber, California (Parastichopus californicus) Sea Cucumber, Red (Cucumaria miniata) Sea Urchin, Giant Red (Strongylocentrotus franciscanus) Seal, Harbour (Phoca vitulina) Star, Blood (Henricia leviuscula) Star, Ochre (Pisaster ochraceous)

TRIAL ISLANDS ER #132

ORIGINAL PURPOSE To protect the most outstanding known assemblage of rare and endangered plant species in British Columbia

OVERVIEW Date established: 5 July 1990 Location: 1 km south of Anderson Hill, Oak ORC #: 3132 Bay Map number: 92 B/6 Latitude: 48º23’N Marine chart number: 3423 Longitude: 123º18’W Total Area: 14 ha Elevation: 0-20 m Land: 14 ha Access: Landing on the islands is restricted to protect sensitive plants and ecosystems. A permit is required to access the reserve. Accessible by boat, but no docking facilities. Biogeoclimatic Zone: Coastal Douglas-Fir (CDF) Biogeoclimatic Variant: CDFmm Moist Maritime Ecosection: Strait of Georgia Region: Vancouver Island Management Area: Saanich/Southern Gulf Islands

COMPOSITION

Physical: The reserve comprises parts of two elongate rocky islands and associated islets. Marine waters are not included. Shorelines on the southwest side are mostly steep and dissected but the rest of the shoreline is gently sloping with a few small pocket beaches, comprised mostly of gravel. The islands are of considerable interest for the interpretation of local and regional geology, being situated at or adjacent to a major suture between two crustal blocks, the Leach River Complex and Wrangellia Terrane. Soil cover is thin and incomplete on much of the island, consisting mostly of Brunisols lying on bedrock. Small areas of Regosolic soils and considerable exposed bedrock are present. The climatic regime here is the mildest in the province, and characterized by frequent wind and summer drought. Biological: Twenty-eight species of vascular plants listed as rare in British Columbia are present in the reserve, 15 of which are in the categories of greatest rarity in the province. The latter are mostly plants of a more southerly distribution, centred in northern California and in Oregon, and are at or near the northern limit of their range in the Victoria area. Many were once scattered along the Victoria waterfront prior to urbanization but are now found in only a few sites outside of the Trial Islands.

Shallow soils, summer drought and strong winds combine to prevent tree growth on these islands. Plant communities consist of herbaceous meadows, shrub thickets and sparse growth of lichens and other plants on bedrock.

Nine plant communities have been described. Two are dominated by lichens growing on bedrock, but contain other dry-site plants like stonecrops and a few species tolerant of salt spray. A community characterized by dune wildrye and beach pea occurs on gravel beaches and among driftwood. A small area of salt marsh contains salt-tolerant plants like Pacific glasswort, seashore saltgrass, Nutka alkaligrass and sea plantain. Four meadow communities occur on upland sites having the best soil development. The most important of these, a vernal pool community characterized by Bigelow’s plantain and Scouler’s popcornflower, contains 13 species of rare plants. Other meadow communities support showy stands of spring wildflowers such as common camas, death-camas, chocolate lily, shootingstar, sea blush, Hooker’s onion and blue-eyed Mary. Dense, wind-pruned shrub thickets are dominated by Garry oak, aspen, snowberry and rose.

One glaucous-winged gull nest has been reported, but the island is not a significant seabird site. A turkey vulture nest was found in the early part of the century (mid- 2000s) but it has not been occupied since. Terrestrial birds and mammals have not been surveyed. Cultural: The reserve encompasses a traditional First Nations and Songhees bulb harvesting site. There are no known archaeological sites on the islands. The island has been the site for a lighthouse for over a century.

MANAGEMENT CONCERNS

SIGNIFICANT SPECIES BC LIST COSEWIC STATUS CF STATUS PRIORITY Western Meadowlark (Georgia Red listed 1 Depression population) Common Ringlet, ssp. insulana Red listed 1 Carolina meadow-foxtail Red listed 3 golden paintbrush Red listed Endangered (2007) 1 Macoun’s meadow-foam Red listed Threatened (2004) 1 dense-flowered lupine Red listed Endangered (2005) 1 seaside birds-foot trefoil Red listed Endangered (2000) 1 snake-root sanicle Red listed Endangered (2001) 1 purple sanicle Red listed Threatened (2001) 2 creeping wildrye Red listed 1 rosy owl-clover Red listed Endangered (2004) 2 Garry oak – California brome association Red listed 2 coastal Scouler’s catchfly Red listed Endangered (2003) 1 Victoria’s owl-clover Red listed Endangered (2010) 1 banded cord-moss Blue listed Special Concern (2005) 2 chaffweed Blue listed 2 white-top aster Red listed Special Concern (2009) 1 Nuttall’s quillwort Blue listed 2 Henderson’s checker-mallow Blue listed 2 pigmyweed (Crassula aquatica) 2 seashore lupine 4 dwarf montia 4 chocolate lily 6 common camas 2 dune bluegrass 4 Garry oak 6 Hooker’s onion 4

THREATS Climate Change: Raised sea levels may reduce the habitat area protected in the reserve and increased storm intensity and frequency may degrade the habitat. Other climatic factors such as warmer temperatures and increased annual precipitation may alter the community composition on the islands. Non-native species: Aggressive invasive Scotch broom, English Ivy, and Gorse are present in reserve. Recreation: Trampling of extremely rare plant species and micro habitats occurs. Recreation: Presence of marine vessels and kayaks disrupts marine mammal and bird behaviour. Transportation: Threat of oil spill due to tanker traffic and cargo ships. Utilities and utility Reserve is bisected by CFAX communication lease property and corridors: Coast Guard property adjacent to southern boundary. Utilities and utility A corridor exists on the map. corridors: RESEARCH Reports listing flora are available. OPPORTUNITIES Reserve offers potential for research and use as a seed bank for species reintroductions. SCIENTIFIC NAMES OF SPECIES MENTIONED IN THE TRIAL ISLANDS ER ACCOUNT Flora alkaligrass, Pacific (Puccinella nutkaensis) aspen, trembling (Populus tremuloides) aster, white-top (Aster curtus) blue-eyed Mary, small-flowered (Collinisia parviflora) bluegrass, dune (Poa macrantha) brome, California (Bromus carinatus) camas, common (Camassia quamash) catchfly, coastal Scouler’s (Silene scouleri ssp. grandis) chaffweed (Anagallis minima) checker-mallow, Henderson’s (Sidalcea hendersonii) cord-moss, banded (Entosthodon fascicularis) death-camas, meadow (Zigadenus venenosus) glasswort, American (Sarcocornia pacifica) lily, chocolate (Fritillaria affinis var. affinis) lupine, dense-flowered (Lupinus densiflorus) lupine, seashore (Lupinus littoralis) meadow-foam, Macoun’s (Limnanthes macounii) meadow-foxtail, Carolina (Alopecurus carolinianus) montia, dwarf (Montia dichotoma) oak, Garry (Quercus garryana) onion, Hooker’s (Allium acuminatum) owl-clover, rosy (Orthocarpus bracteosus) owl-clover, Victoria (Castilleja victoriae) paintbrush, golden (Castilleja levisecta) pea, beach (Lathyrus japonicus var. maritimus) pigmyweed (Crassula aquatica) plantain, Bigelow’s (Plantago bigelovii) plantain, sea (Plantago maritima ssp. juncoides) popcornflower, Scouler's (Plagiobothrys scouleri) quillwort, Nuttall’s (Isoetes nuttallii) saltgrass, seashore (Distichlis spicata) sanicle, purple (Sanicula bipinnatifida) sanicle, snake-root (Sanicula arctopoides) sea blush (Plectritis congesta) shootingstar, broad-leaved (Dodecatheon hendersonii ssp. hendersonii) snowberry, common (Symphoricarpos albus) trefoil, seaside birds-foot (Lotus formosissimus) wildrye, creeping (Leymus triticoides) wildrye, dune (Leymus mollis ssp. mollis) Fauna Gull, Glaucous-winged (Larus glaucescens) Meadowlark, Western, Georgia Depression population (Stumella neglecta pop. 1) Ringlet, Common, ssp. insulana (Coenonympha tullia ssp. insulana) Vulture, Turkey (Cathartes aura)

Parks Canada - Gulf Islands National Park Reserve - Map Page 1 of 1

Home > National Parks of Canada > Gulf Islands National Park Reserve Gulf Island National Park Reserve

Map

Current Map and Information (printable version - PDF: 2.75 Mb)

Bennett Bay | Blunden Islet | Brackman Island | Cabbage Island | Channel Island and Nearby Islets | D'Arcy Island | East Point | Georgeson Island | Georgina Point | Greenburn Lake | Isle-de- Lis (Rum Island) | The Islets | James Bay and Selby Cove | Loretta's Wood | Lyall Creek | | McDonald Campground | Mount Norman/Beaumont | Mount Warburton Pike | Narvaez Bay Day Use Area | The Outer Islands | The Penders | Portlock Point | | Portland Island | Prior Centennial Campground | Roesland/Roe Lake | Russell Island | | Shingle Bay | Sidney Spit () | Taylor Point Day Use Area | Tumbo Island Day Use Area | Winter Cove Day Use Area

BENNETT BAY

The Bennett Bay component of Gulf Islands National Park Reserve is located on the Strait of Georgia shore area of Mayne Island. Its natural environment and undisturbed waterfront are combined with one of the finest sand beaches in the Gulf Islands. The beautiful peninsula (Campbell Point) features remnant old growth forest, a walking trail and superb views from the point across to Georgeson Island. Bennett Bay is a popular

launch point for kayakers paddling along the North Eastern shores of the outer Gulf Islands.

BLUNDEN ISLET

Safeguarded by its inaccessibility, Blunden Islet off Teece Point on South is a relatively undisturbed islet with typical coastal bluff vegetation including arbutus, Garry oak and old growth Douglas fir, and no evidence of invasion by exotic species. The sensitive ecosystem on this islet is being afforded the highest level of protection within the national park: authorized access only .

BRACKMAN ISLAND

Donated to the national park reserve by The Nature Trust of British Columbia, Brackman Island had been an ecological reserve since 1989. The island is unique in that it has never been affected by livestock grazing, logging or settlement. There are pockets of old growth forest, some as old as 250 years. Thirteen rare plant species have been identified. This island is being afforded the highest level of protection within the national park: authorized access only .

http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/bc/gulf/carte-map-nfl.aspx 10/5/2014