The Stewardship Series NATURESCAPE B R I T I S H C O L U M B I A Caring for Wildlife Habitat at Home

Native Plant and Animal Booklet, The Northern Region

Naturescape British Columbia IS FUNDED BY

For More information, call 1-800-387-9853 National Library of Canada Cataloguing in Publication Data Wilkinson, Kathleen, 1950- Naturescape British Columbia. Native plant and animal booklet, the northern region. Cover title: Naturescape British Columbia : Caring for wildlife at home.2 v. in 1. Contents: Native plant and animal booklet, the northern region – Naturescape British Columbia : resource booklet, northern region.

ISBN 0-7726-5052-7

1. Zoology - British Columbia, Northern. 2. Botany - British Columbia, Northern. 3. Biotic communities - British Columbia, Northern. 4. Nature conservation - British Columbia, Northern. I. Naturescape British Columbia. II. Title. III. Title: Naturescape British Columbia : Caring for wildlife at home. IV. Title: Naturescape British Columbia : resource booklet, northern region.

QH77.C3W54 2003 578’.09711’8 C2003-960208-7

Notice: The information contained in the Naturescape British Columbia Guide and booklets is true and complete to the best of our knowledge. All recommendations are made without any guarantees on the part of the authors and Naturescape British Columbia sponsors. Because the means, materials and procedures followed by home- owners are beyond our control, the authors and Naturescape British Columbia disclaim all liability in connection with the use of this information.

Naturescape British Columbia publications are copyright© 1995 by the Government of British Columbia. All rights reserved. Except for use in review, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying, and recording, and in any information storage and retrieval system is forbidden without the written permission of Naturescape British Columbia and Havitat Conservation Trust Foundation

Photo credits: Front Cover HCTF File photo Naturescape British Columbia Havitat Conservation Trust Foundation Back Cover Suite 107 All photos provided by Cindy Vincent 19 Dallas Road Victoria BC V8V 5A6 www.naturescapebc.ca NAT U R E S C A P E BR I T I S H CO L U M B I A Native Plant and Animal Booklet,The Northern Region

W r itten and compiled by Kathleen W i l k i n s o n

G r aphic Design and Electronic A s s e m bly Bobolo Graphic Design

I l l u s t r a t o r Cindy V i n c e n t About Naturescape British Columbia

ABOUT NATURESCAPE BRITISH COLUMBIA Naturescape British Columbia promotes caring for wildlife habitat at home.

It is funded by W i l d l i fe Habitat Canada, E nvironment Canada (Canadian W i l d l i fe Serv i c e ) , B r itish Columbia M i n i s t r y of Wa t e r, Land & Air Protection, the Habitat Conservation Trust Fund, and the Real Estate Foundation of BC and the participants who register in the Naturescape Progra m . The support and assistance of the Federation of British Columbia Natura l i s t s , B r itish Columbia Nurs e r y Trades A s s o c i a t i o n , B r itish Columbia Society of Landscape A r c h i t e c t s , and the Urban W i l d l i fe Committee (Va n c o u ver) is g r e a t l y appreciated. H O N O U R A RY PAT RO N The Honoura ble John A . F r a s e r,P. C . , O. C . , O. B . C . , Q. C . , L L . B .

SCIENTIFIC CONTRIBU TORS N ATURESCAPE A DV I S O RY AND REVIEWERS C O M M I T T E E Ve r non C. B r i n k , Va n c o u ve r Richard Beard, Susan Campbell,Va n c o u ve r WBT Wild Bird Trust of B. C . , West Va n c o u ve r Syd Cannings,V i c t o r i a Ve r non C. B r i n k , Neil Dawe, Qualicum Beach Va n c o u ver Natural History Society,Va n c o u ve r Angela Deeri n g , V i c t o r i a Susan Campbell, Dennis Demarchi,V i c t o r i a G r i f fin Wo r k s , Va n c o u v e r L a u r a Fri i s , V i c t o r i a Gretchen Harl ow, Saila Hull,V i c t o r i a Canadian W i l d l i fe Serv i c e , D e l t a D ave Nagors e n , V i c t o r i a Theresa Duynstee, Liz Stanlake,V i c t o r i a Greater Va n c o u ver Regional Distri c t Linda Georg e , E nvironmental Educators P. S . A . , Va n c o u v e r Linda Kingston, F e d e r ation of B. C . N a t u r alists and Va n c o u v er Natural History S o c i e t y, B u r n a by Pa t r icia Leslie, To u r ism W h i s t l e r, W h i s t l e r Willie MacGillivray, Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary,V i c t o r i a B a r b a r a Stevenson Nield,Va n c o u ve r Sylvia Pincott, A bb o t s ford Backyard Habitat Program and Federation of B. C . N a t u r a l i s t s , A bb o t s f o r d D avid Reid, B. C . Society of Landscape A r c h i t e c t s , N a n a i m o Rod Silve r, Habitat Conservation Trust Fund,V i c t o r ia (Committee Chair) Paulus V r i j m o e d , B. C . N u r s e r y Trades A s s o c i a t i o n , L a n g l e y

a 2 Naturescape British Columbia • PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION A c k n ow l e d g e m e n t s

AC K N OW L E D G E M E N T S I would like to express my sincere thanks to the fo l l owi ng people who helped me to find info r m a t i o n , suggested contacts, r e v i e wed text, p r ovided info r mation on native plant availability and habitat r e q u i r e m e n t s , and loaned or allowed me access to resource materi a l s :

L o r na A l l e n , b i o l o g i s t , A l b e r ta Env i r o n m e n t , E d m o n t o n ; D avid Blades and Pa t r icia Wo o d s , e n t o m o l o g i s t s , R oyal British Columbia Museum,V i c t o r i a ; C h e r yl Bra d l e y, e nvironmental consultant, L e t h b r i d g e , A B ; B e r t B r i n k , P r o fessor Emeri t u s , UBC Faculty of A g r i c u l t u r al Sciences;Va n c o u ve r ; C a r la and Phil Burt o n , S y m b i o s Research and Restora t i o n , S m i t h e r s ; C a r men Cadri n , b i o l o g i s t , B. C . C o n s e r vation Data Centre,V i c t o r i a ; R o b e r t Cannings, E n t o m o l o g i s t , R oyal British Columbia Museum,V i c t o r i a ; Sydney Cannings, B. C . C o n s e r vation Data Centre,V i c t o r i a , Neil Dawe, O r n i t h o l o g i s t , Canadian W i l d l i fe Serv i c e , Qualicum Beach; Angela Deeri n g , Naturescape B. C . , V i c t o r i a ; Matt Fairbarn s , b i o l o g i s t , B. C . C o n s e r vation Data Centre, V i c t o r i a ; L a u r a Fri i s , h e r p e t o l o g i s t , B. C . M i n i s t r y of Land, Water and Air Protection,V i c t o r i a ; C r ispin Guppy, entomologist and wildlife biologist, Q u e s n e l ; Linda Hellenius, Silva Enterp r i s e s , Red Rock; Richard Hoos, e nvironmental consultant,Va n c o u ve r ; Jane Lancaster, e nvironmental consultant, C a l g a r y ; Olivia Lee of the UBC herbari u m , Va n c o u ve r, Andy MacKinnon, B. C . M i n i s t r y of Forests,V i c t o r i a ; National Energy Board staff, C a l g a r y, A B ; Karen Needham of the Spencer Entomological Museum at UBC, Sylvia Pincott, B a c k ya r d H a b i t a t , A bb o t s fo r d ; Jim Po j a r,B. C . M i n i s t r y of Forests, S m i t h e r s , Brenda Ramsay and staff at Indigenous B o t a n i c a l s , Te r ra c e ; B a r b a r a Ray m e n t , Birch Creek Nurs e r y, P r ince Georg e ; Joan W i l l i a m s , e nv i r o n m e n t a l c o n s u l t a n t , C a l g a r y, A B ; and Paige Wo o d w a r d , Pa c i fic Rim Native Plants, C h i l l i w a c k .

M o o s e

PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION • Naturescape British Columbia a 3 The Nort h e r n Region Ecoprov i n c e

Common Red Paintbrush

a 4 Naturescape British Columbia • PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION Ta ble of Contents

TA B L E O F CO N T E N T S

I n t r o d u c t i o n ...... 2 Ecosystems and Ecosystem Dive r s i t y ...... 2 H ow Ecosystems are Classified in British Columbia ...... 5 The Nort h e r n Region ...... 6 Sub-Boreal Interior Ecoprov i n c e ...... 8 N o r t h e r n Boreal Mountains Ecoprov i n c e ...... 1 2 Boreal Plains Ecoprov i n c e ...... 1 7 Taiga Plains Ecoprov i n c e ...... 1 8 Putting It All Together In Your Ya r d ...... 2 3 S u m m a r y of Plant and Animal Ta bl e s , C e n t r al Interi o r ...... 2 8 Ta b le 1: Native Plants ...... 2 9 Ta b le 2: Non-native Plants ...... 4 4 Ta b le 3: B u t t e r f l i e s , Moths and Other Insects ...... 4 6 Ta b le 4: Amphibians and Reptiles ...... 5 7 Ta b le 5: B i r d s ...... 6 1 Ta b le 6: M a m m a l s ...... 7 6

PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION • Naturescape British Columbia 1 I n t r o d u c t i o n

I N T RO D U C T I O N This Native Plant and Animal Booklet explains the The Provincial Guide has give n broader natural environment within which you live, you the basic how - t o and allows you to determine the general types of i n fo r mation for creating wildlife w i l d l i fe habitats you might consider when planning habitat in your ya r d . The next N a t u re s c ap e p r o j e c t s . It includes a listing of step is to consider the type of habitat appropri a t e plants and examples of their uses by wildlife, a n d to your location in the Nort h e r n Region. W h a t listings of wildlife species with notes on their plants should you consider? And what animals can n a t u r al history. you expect to attract? E C O S YSTEMS AND ECOSYS T E M To answer these questions, l e t ’s fi r st venture into D I V E R S I T Y the surroundings beyond your home. L e t ’s explore Ecosystem Defined the concept of ecosystems and the physical area of An ecosystem is a concept. The term applies to a the Nort h e r n Region to take a look at where yo u r set of living organisms and non-living elements, a n d p r o p e r ty sits in this larger scheme of things. T h e n their interaction with each other in both obv i o u s we can return to your outdoor space and begin to and subtle way s . a n s wer your questions. You can think of an ecosystem as being any To get a better sense of our sustaining segment of the wo r ld that includes all the e nv i r o n m e n t , we need a different pers p e c t i ve – o r ganisms and the environment within which they one that looks beyond the neighbourhoods and o c c u r.The entire system must have a pri m a r y t own sites. While it is still possible in Bri t i s h e n e r gy source, which is genera l l y the sun. P l a n t s Columbia to look over mountains and plateaus use the sun’s energy for their growth and, in turn , and see large expanses of natural ecosystems, t h e s e r ve as food and shelter for animals. The cycle valley bottoms in many areas have been ra d i c a l ly c o n t i nues with the animals.Their fo r aging activities c h a n g e d . M a ny of us live and wo r k in the warm e r m ay, for example, p l ay a role in pollination, s e e d v a l l e y s , and much of the natural habitats there have d i s p e r s a l , or opening up the plant community so g i ven way to urban development and agri c u l t u r e . that other species may become establ i s h e d . What are the different species of wildlife found in these areas? How do they live in this natura l An ecosystem will change over time and each wo r ld? In the past, what animals, p l a n t s , and soils o r ganism within the system has its own life cycle. would have been where your nearest town now Nothing remains static in nature. s i t s ? The science of ecology, which studies the my ri a d Just as we define our neighbourhoods and relationships and processes in ecosystems, has only c o m mu n i t i e s , so too the natural wo r ld can be begun to scratch the surface in recognizing, d e fined by natural commu n i t i e s . You can think of d e s c r ibing and understanding all the processes that these divisions of the natural landscape as nature’s occur in different ecosystems. There is still mu c h n e i g h b o u r h o o d s . In essence then, you have two we don’t know or fully unders t a n d . addresses – your urban address, and your address within the natural environment of the Nort h e r n R e g i o n .

2 Naturescape British Columbia • PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION Ecosystems and Ecosystem Divers i t y

Ecosystems can be defined at different scales from the ve r y small to the ve r y larg e . A decaying log in SHARING YOUR OBSERVATIONS the fo r e s t , with its many plant and animal As you create and nurture wildlife habitat on your property, o r ganisms and associated non-living elements such you become one of the discoverers in the relatively young as water, fo r ms a small ecosystem within a mu c h science of ecology.Your observations of relationships and l a r ger forest ecosystem. processes, which happen within the wildlife habitat you provide and nurture, may be valuable to others. Just as within a neighbourhood each person has an Naturescape British Columbia encourages you to record a d d r e s s , so within an ecosystem each organism has your observations.Who knows what you might discover in this an address or habitat. D i f ferences in habitat are on-going adventure? quite clear; g r assland animals such as Columbian ground squirrels and Long-billed Curlews do not l i ve in the same neighbourhood as subalpine forest animals such as snowshoe hares or Brow n The four nort h e r n ecoprov i n c e s : Boreal Plains, C r e e p e r s . But animals not only live in diffe r e n t Sub-boreal Interi o r, N o r t h e r n Boreal Mountains h a b i t a t s , they have different fo r aging and life and Taiga Plains, c over most of the nort h e r n half of h i s t o r y stra t e g i e s . You could think of these as their the prov i n c e . Within such a large area, it is not wo r k addresses, where you would find Snow s h o e s u r p r ising to find considera ble climatic and Hares and Brown Creepers doing ve r y diffe r e n t t o p o g r aphical variation and corr e s p o n d i n g t h i n g s . ecosystem dive r s i t y. This region of nort h e r n Bri t i s h Since eve r y species has its own niche, or job, t h e Columbia encompasses mountain ra n g e s , b r o a d loss of a species in any ecosystem has a ri p p l e i n t e r ior plateaus, l a r ge ri ve r s , and lake s ; a n d e f fect on the entire system.That is one of the includes aspen parkland along the Peace River in m a ny reasons why biodive r sity is so import a n t . the Boreal Plains, high elevation subalpine fi r- s p r u c e On another scale, the loss of habitat dive r sity leads forests in the Sub-boreal Interi o r, vast stretches of to a lessening of species dive r sity and richness in alpine tundra in the Nort h e r n Boreal Mountains our natural wo r l d . and mu s keg s and dense boreal forests of white and black spruce in the Taiga Plains. Each of these regions has chara c t e r istic associated D i v e r sity of Ecosystems: w i l d l i fe species. There are twenty-three species of Ecosystems vary from one place to another due to birds that nest only in this portion of B. C . , and the a my riad of factors , including climate, t e r ra i n , d i ve r sity and nu m b e r s of large mammals, i n c l u d i n g d i s t u r b a n c e , s o i l - f o r ming processes and age. c a r i b o u , m o o s e , g r i z z ly and black bear, wo l ve s , D a l l Because British Columbia shows tremendous sheep and mountain goats are part i c u l a r ly v a r iation in all these factors , it has an incredibl e n o t e wo r t hy. The four nort h e r n ecoprovinces also d i ve r sity of ecosystems. In fact, this province is the s u p p o r t seve ral red-listed (endangered) and bl u e - most natura l ly dive r se in all of Canada. listed (vulnera ble) species of animals, birds and p l a n t s .

PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION • Naturescape British Columbia 3 Ecosystems and Ecosystem Divers i t y

C l i m a t e The Taiga and Boreal Plains ecoprovinces are less The climate in British Columbia is as dive r se as its influenced by Pa c i fic air masses and have more e c o s y s t e m s . The combination of high mountain continental climates. Their predominantly low ra n g e s , deep valleys and we s t e r ly winds off a larg e relief topogra p hy allows cold Arctic air to bl a n ke t ocean produce some of the ra i n i e s t , s n ow i e s t , the region for long periods in winter and spri n g , d r i e s t , h o t t e s t , coldest and windiest climates in and mean daily temperatures in Janu a r y are less C a n a d a . Each winter the coast is inundated with than –20˚C. S u m m e r s , on the other hand, tend to the heaviest rainfalls in North A m e r i c a . This winter be relative ly warm , with mean daily tempera t u r e s rain turns to snow as you climb the mountains, s o of 14-18˚C in July, while much of the Sub-Boreal the Coast and Columbia mountain ranges record I n t e r ior and Nort h e r n Boreal Mountains have a some of the greatest snow depths in the wo r l d . mean daily temperature of less than 14˚C.

Te m p e r atures along the open coast are modera t e d by the massive waters of the Pa c i fic Ocean, ra r e ly To p o g ra p h y dipping below freezing in winter and ra r e ly The topogra p hy of an area – its mountains, v a l l e y s exceeding 25˚C in summer. Sites east of the coast and plateaus – affects the dive r sity of ecosystems ranges are cut off from the moderating influence within that area. Species of plants and animals that of the ocean and annual temperatures there can f avour the sheltered or leeward side of mountains fluctuate widely. m ay differ from those that thri ve on the In nort h e r n , non-coastal British Columbia, t h e unsheltered or windward side. F u r t h e r m o r e , t h e climate of the Sub-Boreal Interior and the slope of the terrain and angle to the sun will limit N o r t h e r n Boreal Mountains ecoprovinces is the kinds of plants that can grow and the animals influenced more by Pa c i fic air masses than are the associated with them. If you look at a mountain Taiga Plains and Boreal Plains to the east.T h e v a l l e y, you see a richness in vegetation and wildlife moist coastal air masses drop most of their s p e c i e s . Whereas the steep, r o c k y, upper slopes of moisture on the windward side of the mountain the mountains on either side are often spars e ly ra n g e s , and the warm , descending air is capable of vegetated and contain different and fe wer animal picking up moisture, resulting in some leeward s p e c i e s . regions being quite dry. Precipitation tends to be e ve n l y distri buted throughout the ye a r, w i t h summer rain and winter snow s , and Arctic air D i s t u r b a n c e masses frequently affect the region in winter. T h e Disturbance and the frequency of that disturbance v a r ied topogra p hy, encompassing plateaus, a f fects the relative evolution of an ecosystem. l ow l a n d s , m o u n t a i n s , foothills and valleys, results in N a t u r al disturbances, such as landslides, f l a s h much corresponding climatic vari a t i o n . The coldest f l o o d s , forest fi r e s , wind storms and tidal wave s , winter temperature in B. C . , a frigid -58.9˚C , w a s alter or change existing ecosystems on both a local recorded from Smith River in the Nort h e r n Boreal and regional leve l . Mountains near the Yu kon border. The more frequent the disturbance, the less like ly the ecosystem will be able to evo l ve to the degree of complexity it could exhibit. Avalanche slopes, b r ight green swathes of alder in the dark green s p r u c e - fir fo r e s t s , exist because annual av a l a n c h e s p e r m a n e n t ly inhibit the growth of large trees in their path.

4 Naturescape British Columbia • PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION Ecosystems and Ecosystem Divers i t y

F i r e s , and insect and disease outbreaks are Disturbances are not alw ays natura l . One of the examples of natural disturbances in the nort h e r n most detrimental types of disturbance is regions of British Columbia. F i r e s , which occur u r b a n i z a t i o n , which irr e vo c a bly alters the e ve r y 50-150 ye a r s on ave r a g e , are the most l a n d s c a p e , r e m oves areas of natural habitat and i m p o r tant short - t e r m influence in the boreal causes barri e r s to the movement of plant and fo r e s t s , d e t e r mining the distri bution and growth of animal species between remaining habitats. forest stands. Because of these frequent fi r e s , R o u g h ly a quarter to a third of any urbanized land m a ny forest stands are even-aged and composed surface is covered by pave m e n t , and much of the of pioneer species. Cones of some conife r o u s remainder contains bu i l d i n g s , h o u s e s , and other t r e e s , such as lodgepole pine and black spru c e s t r u c t u r e s . Logging roads and recreational off-road often remain sealed until heat from a fire opens vehicle tracks cause further erosion of the natura l the cone scales to release the seeds, which are h a b i t a t . then able to germinate without competition on n e w ly exposed mineral soil. Other species have d i f ferent adaptations: the thick bark of balsam ECOPROVINCES, ECOREGIONS, poplar is heat-resistant, and other deciduous trees, AND ECOSECTIONS such as aspen poplar and paper birch may send British Columbia’s 10 ecoprovinces are divided into 47 out sucke r s after a fi r e . terrestrial and marine ecoregions; these are further divided into 116 local scale ecosections. Because of frequent fi r e s , old growth forests are r e l a t i ve ly scarce here. In aspen parkland areas of the Boreal Plains, repeated fires help to control the H OW ECOSYSTEMS ARE CLASSIFIED IN spread of tree groves and allow the maintenance BRITISH COLUMBIA and spread of gra s s l a n d s . Frequent fires tend to Scientists have developed a number of diffe r e n t i m p r ove nort h e r n forested habitat for wildlife in ecosystem classification schemes over the ye a r s . g e n e r al because they create a mosaic of ve g e t a t i o n Each scheme makes use of a combination of one types and successional stages. R e m oval of trees or more of three main factors : c l i m a t e , a l l ows gra s s e s , fo r b s , and deciduous shrubs and p hy s i o g r a p hy, and ve g e t a t i o n . trees to prolife r a t e , which is beneficial for some ungulates and other species. One system used by the B. C . M i n i s t r y of Wa t e r, Land & Air Protection and other agencies invo l ve d Disease and pest outbreaks are another natura l in resource and environmental management is disturbance that often affects forest and aspen k n own as the Ecoregion System. This classifi c a t i o n p a r kland commu n i t i e s , and causes changes in plant is based on the interaction between climatic and animal species composition of ecosystems. p r o c e s s e s , such as seasonal rainfall pattern , a n d p hy s i o g r a p hy or topogra p hy. Some types of disturbance may recur over time, but cause relative ly local disturbance to a system. High winds cause trees to topple and create v a r i o u s - s i zed clearings in the fo r e s t , but they The Ecoregion System divides the landscape into g e n e r a l l y do not signifi c a n t ly alter the fo r e s t . O t h e r ecosystems at various spatial scales. Because the types of disturbance may change the ori g i n a l N a t u re s c ap e p r o g r am is ecologically - b a s e d , i t ecosystem fo r e ve r. An area of we t l a n d , filled in m a kes use of the ten ecoprovinces that make up with boulders and other rock debris from a B r itish Columbia. l a n d s l i d e , is not like ly to return again to a we t l a n d e c o s y s t e m .

PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION • Naturescape British Columbia 5 The Nort h e r n Region Ecoprov i n c e

• e c o p r ovinces define areas with consistent are part of the Coast and Mountains and Southern c l i m a t e , r e l i e f , and geological stru c t u r e s Alaska Mountains ecoprov i n c e s , in this area of the such as the Central Interior Ecoprov i n c e p r ovince these 2 ecoprovinces are usually • ecoregions occur within ecoprovinces and considered as part of nort h e r n British Columbia). c over areas with major phy s i o g r aphic and The 4 ecoprovinces that will be discussed in this major climatic vari a t i o n , such as the Fra s e r e s s ay are:The Sub-Boreal Interi o r, N o r t h e r n Boreal R i v er Plateau Ecoregion. M o u n t a i n s , Boreal Plains and Taiga Plains. • Ecosections occur within ecoregions and d e fine areas with minor phy s i o g r aphic and The nort h e r n interior of British Columbia falls climatic vari a t i o n , such as the Bulkley Basin within 2 Ecodomains,The Humid Te m p e r a t e E c o s e c t i o n . Ecodomain cove r s most of the mid-latitudes of E c o p r ov i n c e s , e c o r e g i o n s , and ecosections each N o r th A m e r ica from the east coast to the we s t . d e s c r i b e , albeit at different scales, areas of similar In British Columbia it occurs in the coastal islands c l i m a t e , p hy s i o g r a p hy, vegetation and wildlife and mountains, the central interior plateaus, a n d p o t e n t i a l . the southern interior mountains. The climate is c h a r a c t e r i zed by strong seasonal cycles of Think of the Ecoregion System as a way of t e m p e r ature and precipitation with a distinct d e t e r mining your address in the broader, n a t u r a l w i n t e r. The Sub-Boreal Interior Ecoprovince is the c o m mun ity of the Nort h e r n Region beyond yo u r n o r t h e r n representative of this ecodomain.T h e neighbourhood and mu n i c i p a l i t y. Polar Ecodomain cove r s the nort h e r n latitudes of N o r th A m e r i c a , A s i a , Europe and Greenland. I n B r itish Columbia, it occupies the nort h e r n plains, N O RTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA m o u n t a i n s , and plateaus. Its climate is W r itten by : Dennis Demarchi c h a r a c t e r i zed by genera l ly low tempera t u r e s , l o n g , s e vere winters , and genera l l y small amounts of The complex area from Prince George north is p r e c i p i t a t i o n . In British Columbia 3 ecoprov i n c e s , considered as nort h e r n British Columbia, it is fully Boreal Plains,Taiga Plains and Nort h e r n Boreal one half the area of the province and consists of 1 Mountains represent different climatic and whole Ecoprovince and parts of 5 others p hy s i o g r aphic regimes of this ecodomain. (although the Boundary, Alsek and Icefield ra n g e s

6 Naturescape British Columbia • PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION The Nort h e r n Region Ecoprov i n c e

The Nechako Low l a n d Peace Lowland Ecosection is a flat or gently rolling plain covered in glacial is a flat, g e n t ly rolling upland that slopes slightly d r ift with little or no exposed bedrock.The entire t owa rd the Peace Rive r, a few bedrock ridges ri s e area was covered under glacial ice, resulting in a b ove the general surface.This area is deeply m o d i fication of the land surface into dru m l i n s . A t dissected by the Peace River and its tri bu t a r ies the the waning of the Cordilleran ice sheet the ice K i s k a t i n aw, P i n e , M o b e r ly, B e a t t o n , and Halfway stagnated here creating long sandy eske r s and ri ve r s , all of which have cut down through the l a r ge glaciers lake s . Pa c i fic frontal systems mov i n g sandstone bedrock.The climate is continental, m o s t eastward across the interior of British Columbia moisture is the result of surface heating of the b r ing rain or snow to this Ecosection, in addition m a ny lakes and streams causing conve c t i ve surface heating of the many wetlands and lake s s h owe r s in the summer. Precipitation is eve n causes conve c t i ve currents to bring localize d summer and winter.There are no effe c t i ve barri e r s ra i n s h owe r s throughout the summer. Cold A r c t i c to outbreaks of cold Arctic air which invade this air invades this area from the east or nort h area for prolonged periods in the winter and b r inging extreme cold weather for prolonged s p r i n g . White spruce is the expected forest in the p e r iods in the winter and spring months.T h i s upland areas and black spruce in the mu s ke g . upland surface has been dissected by the Fra s e r H owe ve r, frequent wildfires has enabled trembl i n g R i ver and its tri bu t a r ies the Nechako and Stuart aspen to dominate for long peri o d s ; balsam poplar ri ve r s . M a ny smaller streams, l a kes and we t l a n d s o c c u r s in wetter sites; and lodgepole pine stands abound here.The mature forests in this Ecosection occur many in drier sandy sites. Common shru b s consists of hy b r id white spruce or Englemann are pri c k ly rose and highbu s h - c r a n b e r ry, but on s p r uce and subalpine fi r. Lodgepole pine is steep southerly aspects Saskatoon is abu n d a n t . common in forests on drier sites.Tr e m bling aspen, Trapping was the main industry of over 150 ye a r s . lodgepole pine and paper birch occur in wildfi r e F a r ming began in the lowe r, w a r mer sites along the areas and after clearcut logging. Black spruce grow s Peace River and expanded as tra n s p o r t a t i o n in the mu s keg and areas of cold air pocke t s . P r i c k ly i m p r ove d , fi r st at Dawson Creek, then Fort St. J o h n r o s e , b i r c h - l e aved spirea and Sitka alder are and fi n a l ly at Chetwynd,; this Ecosection is the common shru b s ; while kinnickinnick, bu n c h b e r ry, main grain producing area in the prov i n c e . Oil and t w i n f l owe r, and dwarf bl u e b e r ry are common gas exploration began with the completion of the g r o u n d - c over dwarf shru b s . Trapping was the main Alaska Highway. Logging is restricted mainly to i n d u s t r y for over 100 ye a r s , then came logging, aspen and poplar. Moose are the most abu n d a n t f a r ming began in the level sandy soils around u n g u l a t e , but both mule deer and white-tailed deer Va n d e r h o o f , but is now common around Pri n c e h ave expanded into this Ecosection from A l b e r t a . G e o r g e . Moose are the most abundant ungulate, P r e d a t o r, such as, black bear, c oyote and red fox , and black bears , wo l ve s , and gri z z ly bears are are natura l ly abu n d a n t , but animal control fo r c o m m o n . l i ves tock and beekeeping has all but eliminated g r i z z l y bears and wo l ve s .

PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION • Naturescape British Columbia 7 The Nort h e r n Region Ecoprov i n c e

F o r t Nelson Low l a n d SUB-BOREAL INTERIOR ECOPROV I N C E is an area of extremely low relief, in places flat and in places rolling. It is dissected to the north by the F o r t Neslon Rive r s and its tri bu t a r ies the Muskwa, SUB-BOREAL INTERIOR ECOPROVINCE Sikanni Chief and Fontas ri ve r s , and to the east by Central Canadian Rocky Mountains Ecoregion the Hay River and its tri bu t a r ies the Kotcho and Hart Foothills Ecosection Shekilie ri ve r s . H owe ver over large areas the Misinchinka Ranges Ecosection upland is poorly drained resulting in extensive Northern Hart Ranges Ecosection areas of mu s keg and small lake s . The climate is Peace Foothills Ecosection continental with most of the moist in the summer Southern Hart Ranges Ecosection caused by conve c t i ve showe r s from surface heating Fraser Basin Ecoregion of the many wetlands and small lake s . W i n t e r s are Babine Upland Ecosection long and cold as there is no effe c t i ve barrier to the McGregor Plateau Ecosection outbreak of cold Arctic air, and daylight hours are Nechako Lowland Ecosection much reduced from October to March. B l a c k s p r uce and tamarack forest are the dominant Omineca Mountains Ecoregion forests because of the extensive mu s ke g ; t r e m bl i n g E a s t e r n Skeena Mountains Ecosection aspen – white spruce forests occur on the better Manson Plateau Ecosection d r ained sites; and Balsam poplar, white spruce and Pa r snip Trench Ecosection paper birch are common on the floodplains of the S o u t h e r n Omineca Mountains Ecosection l a r ger ri ve r s and streams. Trapping was the only S keena Mountains Ecoregion i n d u s t r y until construction of the Alaska Highway, N o r t h e r n Skeena Mountains Ecosection then Fort Nelson became the supply centre fo r S o u t h e r n Skeena Mountains Ecosection n o r t h e a s t e r n British Columbia. Oil and gas e x p l o r ation has been extensive across the l owlands in the frozen winter and spring months. More recently logging and milling of balsam poplar Location – The Sub-Boreal Interior Ecoprov i n c e has occurr e d . The “ B o r e a l ” c a r ibou ecotype that is located in the nort h - c e n t r al portion of the winter out on the mu s keg lowland are probably p r ov i n c e , to the east of the Coast Mountains and the most abundant ungulate, h owe ve r, m o o s e , to the west of the Interior Plains. It consists of white-tailed and mule deer, and bison also occur s e ve r al phy s i o g r aphic systems: the low - ly i n g h e r e . P r e d a t o r s such as black bear, wo l f , c oyo t e plateau area of the Nechako Low l a n d s , t h e and red fox are common. n o r t h e r n portion of the Nechako Plateau, and the McGregor Plateau, and the southern portion of the Nort h e r n Rocky Mountain Tr e n c h . T h e mountains to the west and north include the s o u t h e r n Skeena and Omineca mountains, w h i l e those to the east include the Hart Ranges and associated fo o t h i l l s , the Misinchinka Range and associated fo o t h i l l s .

8 Naturescape British Columbia • PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION The Nort h e r n Region Ecoprov i n c e

Climate – The area has a sub-continental climate, Fauna - Moose are the most abundant and t y p i fied by cold winters , w a r m summers , a n d w i d e ly distri buted ungulate, woodland cari b o u precipitation that is equal in summer and winter. I t occur throughout the mountains, mountain goats is strongly influenced by the moderating Pa c i fic air, occur in the more rugged mountains, and Stone’s in addition, summer rain is larg e ly due to surface sheep occur pri m a r i ly in the Misinchinka Range and heating , which leads to conve c t i ve showe r s . I n associated fo o t h i l l s . Mule deer and white-tailed winter and spring cold Arctic air can easily inv a d e deer are uncommon and occur mainly in the ve r y from the east and north to dominate the entire s o u t h e r n lowland areas. Black bears and wo l ve s a r e a . Rain shadows occur in some of the Ske e n a are common throughout, while gri z z l y bears and Omineca mountains and Rocky Mountain a bundant in the mountain fo r e s t s . L y n x , fisher and F o o t h i l l s , but heightened precipitation occurs on mu s k rat are widely distri but ed throughout this the we s t e r n side of the Skeena Mountains and r e g i o n . H a r t Ranges. F i f t y - s e ven percent of the bird species known to Ve getation – Three major vegetation zo n e s occur in British Columbia and 46% of all species dominate much of the area, but 2 other zo n e s k n own to breed in the province are found in the occur in specific locations.The low l a n d s , p l a t e a u s Sub-Boreal Interi o r. The Boreal Owl is a typical and many valleys are dominated by the Sub-Boreal resident species. Highest breeding nu m b e r s of S p r uce Zone where hy b r id white spruce and H e r ring Gull and Black Te r n occur here. Two subalpine fir are the dominant climax trees, bu t p a s s e r ine species of note are the Rusty Blackbird lodgepone pine, and trembling aspen fo r m the and Magnolia Wa r bl e r. forests after logging or wildfi r e ; w i l l ow or sedge dominated wetlands are common in this zone and The only reptile is the rare common garter snake dot the landscape in poorly dra i n e d , d e p r e s s i o n s . which occurs in the lowlands and mountain valleys The middle and upper slopes are dominated by While four amphibians occur here: the we s t e r n the Engelmann Spruce - Subalpine Fir Zone where t o a d , wood frog, and spotted frog occur Engelmann Spruce and sublapine fir are the climax t h r o u g h o u t , while the long-toed salamander is forest trees and white-flowered rhododendron r e s t r icted to the warmer valleys and low l a n d s . u s u a l ly dominates the unders t o r y, but lodgepole This Ecoprovince supports both anadromous fi s h pine occurs as a seral tree on drier sites. And the such as, chinook and socke ye salmon. N a t i ve and A l p i n e Tu n d r a Zone occurs on the upper slopes of i n t r o d u c e d , ra i n b ow trout, l a ke trout, D o l l y Va r d e n , all mountains. In addition, the wetter valleys of the l a ke and mountain whitefi s h , Arctic grayling (in the S kee na Mountains and the southern part of the Peace River waters h e d ) , longnose sucke r, s l i my H a r t Ranges the Interior Cedar - Hemlock zo n e sculpin and torrent sculpin are important fish that o c c u r s , and in the outer valleys of the Rocky occur in the Sub-Boreal Interi o r. Mountain Foothills and in the central valleys of the s o u t h e r n Omineca Mountains the Boreal W h i t e and Black spruce Zone occurs .

PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION • Naturescape British Columbia 9 The Nort h e r n Region Ecoprov i n c e

E C O P ROVINCE SUBDIVISIONS The Nort h e r n Hart Ranges Ecosection The Sub-Boreal Interior Ecoprovince is subdivided is a low rounded mountainous area that is often into four Ecoregions containing 13 Ecosections. ove r ridden by eastward moving Pa c i fic air or s o u t h wes tward moving Arctic air.The Hart H i g h w ay linking the Peace River with the interi o r The Central Canadian Rocky Mountains of the province lies near the middle of this E c o r egion e c o s e c t i o n . consists of steep-sided, but round-topped mountains and foothills that are lower than ra n g e s of the Rockies to either the south or the nort h . The Peace Foothills Ecosection Pa c i fic air spills over these mountains bri n g i n g is a blocky mountain area that lies on the east side moist mild air to the eastern valleys, while A r c t i c of the Rocky Mountains. Strong ra i n s h a d ows exist. air passes from east to west bringing ve r y cold, The Peace Reach of the Williston Reservoir divides dense area to the we s t e r n valleys and low l a n d s . this ecosection in two. The Boreal White and Black Spruce zone occurs in the outer eastern valleys; the Sub-Boreal Spru c e Zone occurs in the interior and we s t e r n valleys, The Southern Hart Ranges Ecosection the Engelmann Spruce – Subalpine Fir zone occurs is a mountainous area that fo r ms a barrier to the on all the middle and upper mountain slopes; a n d eastward moving Pa c i fic air or southwe s t w a r d the Alpine Tu n d r a zone occurs on the mountain m oving Arctic air.The mountains build in height s u m m i t s . It contains four Ecosections. from north to south.The Interior Cedar – Hemlock zone occurs on the lower slopes of the s o u t h e r n valleys. I c e - fields are common on the The Hart Foothills Ecosection higher mountain summits. Logging has occurr e d is a low, rounded mountains and wide valleys area throughout the valleys.Two large mountain parks – on the east side of the Rocky Mountains.This is Monkman and Kakwa occur along the higher the driest ecosection in this ecoregion as cold e a s t e r n boundary. Arctic air often stalls along the eastern margin or in the valleys. The Hart Highway linking the Pe a c e R i ver with the interior of the province lies in the The Fraser Basin Ecoregion n o r t h e r n portion of this ecosection. Gwillam Lake is a broad, l owland and rolling upland area, l o c a t e d and Kinuseo Falls parks occur within this in the southwe s t e r n portion of the Sub-Boreal e c o s e c t i o n . I n t e r i o r. The climate is sub-continental with eve n precipitation amounts throughout the ye a r.T h e Sub-Boreal Spruce zone dominates much of this The Misinchinka Ranges Ecosection a r e a : with the Engelmann Spruce – Subalpine Fir is a rugged mountain area, with deep narr ow zone on the upper slopes of the few higher ri d g e s ; v a l l e y s . Moist Pa c i fic air often stalls over these while the Alpine Tu n d r a zone occurs only on m o u n t a i n s , b r inging high precipitation, b o t h Tsisutl Mountain. It contains 3 Ecosections. summer and winter.The Peace Reach of the Williston Lake (Reservoir) divides this ecosection in two.

1 0 Naturescape British Columbia • PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION The Nort h e r n Region Ecoprov i n c e

The Babine Upland Ecosection The Eastern Skeena Mountains Ecosection is a rolling upland with low ri d g e s , m a ny small has a wide valley in the centre that is surr o u n d e d streams and wetlands and seve ral ve r y large lake s by high isolated mountains.This area is in a in the depressions. Logging is the main resource ra i n s h a d ow of the higher Nort h e r n Ske e n a i n d u s t r y. Mountains Ecosection.

The McGregor Plateau Ecosection The Manson Plateau Ecosection is rolling upland adjacent to the Hart Ranges. A is a rolling upland, that lies south of the higher cool moist climate occurs here. M a ny small lake s , Omineca Mountains. we t l a n d s , and streams occur here, while a port i o n of the Fraser River cuts through the southern p o r t i o n . The Hart Highway lies in the nort h e r n The Pa r snip Trench Ecosection p o r tion in the Misinchina and Crooked ri ve r is a wide intermountain plain that lies between the v a l l e y s , and the Ye l l owh ead Highway lies in the Omineca Mountains to the west and the Rocky s o u t h e r n port i o n . Logging is the main resource Mountains to the east. Wa r m , moist air flows in i n d u s t r y. from the south and cold Arctic air move south d own the Nort h e r n Rocky Mountain Tr e n c h . T h e Williston Reservoir occupies about 40% of this The Nechako Lowland Ecosection e c o s e c t i o n . M a c kenzie occurs at the southeastern is a broad, flat lowland with some dissection by the b o u n d a r y. F r aser and Nechako ri ve r s . Although the climate is s u b - b o r e a l , this Ecosection has a milder climate than any other in this Ecoprov i n c e .The Hart The Southern Omineca Mountains H i g h w ay lies along the eastern boundary serv i c i n g Ecosection m a ny small communities and connecting the Pe a c e consists of rounded mountains and ri d g e s , R i ver and Mackenzie with Prince Georg e ; t h e s e p a r ated by wide valleys. The Boreal White and Ye l l owhead Highway lies near the southern Black Spruce zone occurs in the valley bottoms. b o u n d a r y and services Va n d e r h o o f , and Fort St. Manson Creek and Germansen Landing occur in J a m e s , but also connects this region with both the ve r y southern valleys. P r ince Rupert and A l b e r t a . Logging is the main resource industry, but agriculture occurs along the s o u t h e r n-most lowland area. C a r p Lake Pa r k is The Skeena Mountains Ecoregion located in the nort h e r n port i o n . is a bold mountain range lying to the east of the coastal climates and mountains. The Interior Cedar – Hemlock zone occurs in the we s t e r n valleys and The Omineca Mountains Ecoregion the Sub-Boreal Spruce zone in the eastern ones; consists of seve ral mountain groups that are the Engelmann Spruce – Subalpine Fir zone occurs d o m i n a n t ly rounded, isolated ranges that build in in the mid-slopes; and the Alpine Tu n d r a dominates height from the south to nort h . Cold nort h e r n air the upper slopes. is common in the winter.The Sub-Boreal Spru c e zone occurs in the valleys; the Engelmann Spruce - Subalpine Fir occurs on the mountain slopes; a n d the Alpine Tu n d r a occurs on the mountain s u m m i t s .

PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION • Naturescape British Columbia 1 1 The Nort h e r n Region Ecoprov i n c e

The Nort h e r n Skeena Mountains Ecosection N O RTHERN BOREAL MOUNTA I N S consists of high rugged mountains and a moist, E C O P ROV I N C E c o a s t / i n t e r ior transition climate. M a ny glaciers p e r sist especially in the nort h . The Cassiar Highway passes through the eastern valleys connecting NORTHERN BOREAL MOUNTAINS n o r t h e r n British Columbia with the Ye l l ow h e a d ECOPROVINCE H i g h w ay. Boreal Mountains and Plateaus Ecoregion Cassiar Ranges Ecosection Kechika Mountains Ecosection The Southern Skeena Mountains Ecosection Northern Omineca Mountains Ecosection consists of a narr ow range of mountains to the Southern Boreal Plateau Ecosection east of the Nass Basin and the west of the Stikine Plateau Ecosection N e c h a ko Plateau. The climate is vari a ble being Teslin Plateau Ecosection wetter and milder on the west side and drier and Hyland Highland Ecoregion colder on the east side.The Babine Mountains Hyland Plateau Ecosection protected area occurs in the southern m o s t m o u n t a i n s . Liard Basin Ecoregion Liard Plain Ecosection

Northern Canadian Rocky Mountains Ecoregions Eastern Muskwa Ranges Ecosection Muskwa Foothils Ecosection Western Muskwa Ranges Ecosection

Pelly Mountains Ecoregion Tuya Range Ecosection

St. Elias Mountains Ecoregion Kluane Ranges Ecosection

Yukon Southern Lakes Ecoregion Teslin Basin Ecosection Whitehorse Upland Ecosection

Yukon – Stikine Highlands Ecoregion Stikine Highlands Ecosection Tagish Highlands Ecosection Tahltan Highland Ecosection Tatshinshini Basin Ecosection

Red Squirrel

1 2 Naturescape British Columbia • PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION The Nort h e r n Region Ecoprov i n c e

Location - This Ecoprovince lies east of the Fauna - Moose are the most numerous and B o u n d a r y Ranges of the Coast Mountains, west of w i d e ly distri buted ungulate, but the thinhorn sheep the interior plains, and south of the Yu kon Te r ri t o r y, (both the pure white Dall’s and Stone’s) and in the nort h - c e n t r al portion of British Columbia. c a r ibou best chara c t e r i ze the fauna. M o u n t a i n The general character of this Ecoprovince is one goats are an abundant species in rugged alpine of mountains and plateaus separated by wide a r e a s . G r i z z ly bears , black bears , and wo l ves are valleys and low l a n d s . The Nort h e r n Boreal common throughout the valleys. Mountains Ecoprovince extends from nort h - c e n t r al British Columbia northward across the C h a r a c t e r istic small mammals include the collared s o u t h e r n Yu kon into east-central A l a s k a . p i k a , Arctic ground squirr e l , t u n d r a vo l e , and brow n l e m m i n g . Wo l ve r ines and lynx are common. Climate - Prevailing we s t e r ly winds bring Pa c i fi c air to the area over the high St. Elias Mountains This Ecoprovince supports only 52% of all bird and Boundary Ranges. Coastal air is greatly species known to occur in the province and 42% reduced in moisture when it reaches the area, a n d of all species known to breed. H owe ve r, m a ny this Ecoprovince is chara c t e r i zed by ra i n s h a d ow species breed nowhere else in British Columbia e f fects that can cause some areas to be ve r y dry. including the Pa c i fic Loon, G y r f a l c o n , L e s s e r S u m m e r time surface heating leads to conve c t i ve G o l d e n - P l ove r,Wa n d e r ing Ta t t l e r, H u d s o n i a n s h owe r s which, together with winter frontal G o d w i t , R e d - n e c ked Phalarope, Arctic Te r n , s y s t e m s , result in precipitation amounts that are N o r t h e r n Shri ke, S m i t h ’s Longspur, S n ow Bunting, e ve n l y distri buted throughout the ye a r. W i n t e r Common Redpoll, and “ T i m b e r l i n e ” S p a r r ow. T h i s climates are long and pers i s t e n t , while the grow i n g area is the centre of abundance for W i l l ow and season is relative ly short ; outbreaks of Arctic air Rock ptarm i g a n , Bohemian Wa x w i n g , and A m e r i c a n are frequent during the winter and spri n g . T h e Tree Sparr ow, and it supports the only breeding rugged relief leads to a complex pattern of surface population of the dark race (harlani) of the Red- heating and cold air drainage in the valleys. tailed Haw k .

Ve getation - Vegetation is dominated by three This Ecoprovince supports both anadromous and zo n e s : the Boreal White and Black Spruce Zone freshwater fi s h . The fish species vary because of o c c u r s throughout the valley bottoms and the sea that the watersheds drain into. F o r e x t e n s i ve plains, the Spruce - W i l l ow - Birch Zone e x a m p l e , the Stikine,Taku and Tatshenshini dra i n o c c u r s throughout the high valleys and middle into the Pa c i fic Ocean; the Yu kon River drains into slopes of the mountains, while the Alpine Tu n d r a the Bering Sea; and the Liard and Peace ri ve r s Zone occurs throughout the middle to upper d r ain into the Arctic Ocean. Anadromous fish are slopes of most mountains. S p o r adic occurrence of r e s t r icted to the Stikine,Taku and Ta t s h e n s h i n i t wo additional zones occurs adjacent to the larg e w a t e r s h e d s , and include, chinook and chum coastal valleys; the Sub-Boreal Spruce Zone occurs s a l m o n . Freshwater fish include, Arctic gray l i n g , in the lower slopes of the lower Stikine and lowe r D o l ly Va r d e n , l a ke trout, and lake whitefi s h ; in the Taku River valleys, and the Englemann Spruce - Liard and Peace ri ver watersheds - nort h e rn pike Subalpine Fir Zone occurs on the middle slopes of and white sucke r ; in Teslin Lake and the Liard Rive r those valleys. - inconnu ; in the Pa c i fic watersheds -coastal cutthroat trout and Coast Range sculpin.

PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION • Naturescape British Columbia 1 3 The Nort h e r n Region Ecoprov i n c e

E C O P ROVINCE SUBDIVISIONS The Nort h e r n Canadian Rocky Mountains The Nort h e r n Boreal Mountains Ecoprovince in E c o r egion B r itish Columbia consists of 8 Ecoregions with 19 is an area of high, rugged mountains, s e ve r al of E c o s e c t i o n s . which have large glaciers and rounded isolated foothills separated by wide valleys.The Spruce – W i l l ow Birch zone dominates the valleys and The Hyland Highland Ecoreg i o n l ower to mid slopes, while the Alpine Tu n d r a zo n e Is a rolling plateau with mainly the Spruce –willow is extensive. The Alaska Highway from Fort Birch zone in the upland and Boreal White and Nelson passes through here past Summit Lake and Black Spruce in the Liard River Canyo n , in Bri t i s h Muncho Lake park . Most of this Ecoregion is Columbia it consists of only one Ecosection. managed under the Muskwa – Kecchika W i l d e r ness Management A r e a . This Ecoregion consists of three Ecosections. The Hyland Plateau Ecosection is an area of rolling upland that extends from n o r t h e r n British Columbia into the Yu kon and The Eastern Muskwa Ranges Ecosection N o r t h wes t Te r ri t o r i e s . This Ecosection provides a is the area with the highest, most ru g g e d l ow barrier between the Interior Plains to the east mountains in the Ecoprov i n c e . It has more and the valleys of the Canadian Cordillera to the s n owfall than the foothills to the east. M u n c h o we s t . L a ke park , Stone Mountain – Wokpash protected a r e a , Kwadacha W i l d e r ness park , and Redfe r n Lake p a r k occur here. The Liard Basin Ecoregion is an extensive area of lowland to rolling upland that extends from nort h e r n British Columbia into The Muskwa Foothills Ecosection the Yu kon and Nort h west Te r ri t o r i e s . It is is an area of subdued mountains which are dominated by the Boreal White and Black Spru c e isolated by wide valleys. This area is in the zo n e .The Alaska Highway passes through from the ra i n s h a d ow of the Rocky Mountains to the we s t ; Liard River Hot Springs park in the east to Wa t s o n but summer storms from the east can bri n g L a ke,Yu kon Te r ri t o r y in the nort h we s t ; the Cassiar i n t e n s i ve rain storm s . H i g h w ay passes through from Boya Lake Pa r k in the south to connect with the Alaska highway in the Yu ko n . In British Columbia this Ecoregion The We s t e r n Muskwa Ranges Ecosection consists of only one Ecosection. is an area of deep, n a r r ow valleys and ru g g e d m o u n t a i n s . It has a cold, wet climate. The we s t e r n half of the Kwadacha W i l d e r ness park occurs in The Liard Plain Ecosection the central portion of this ecosection. is a broad, rolling inter-mountain plain with a cold, sub-Arctic climate. Lodgepole pine fo r e s t s dominate as the result of frequent wildfi r e s .

1 4 Naturescape British Columbia • PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION The Nort h e r n Region Ecoprov i n c e

The Boreal Mountains and Plateaus The Stikine Plateau Ecosection E c o r egion is a plateau area with vari a ble relief, from low l a n d is a large area with a complex of low l a n d s , r o l l i n g to rolling alpine. L ow elevations along the Stikine, and high plateaus and rugged mountains. It has a Nahlin and Klastline ri ver valleys are the driest in c o l d , d r y boreal continental climate.The Boreal the Ecoregion.The Cassiar Highway goes through White and Black Spruce zone occurs in the lowe r, here past Dease Lake, a service road goes west to wider valleys and low l a n d s , the Spruce – W i l l ow – Te l e g r aph Creek.The lower Stikine River park and Birch zone occupies the mid slopes, and the n o r t h e r n potion of the Mount Ediziza park occur e x t e n s i ve Alpine Tu n d r a occurs on the upper h e r e . s l o p e s . In British Columbia this Ecoregion contains 5 Ecosections. The Teslin Plateau Ecosection is a rolling plateau area, with seve ral large lake s , The Cassiar Ranges Ecosection including Atlin Lake, the largest lake in the is the area with the highest and most ru g g e d p r ov i n c e . It lies in a distinct ra i n s h a d ow.The road mountains in the Ecoregion. It is a broad band of from Jakes Corn e r,Yu kon comes down to A t l i n . mountains extending from upper Finlay Rive r Placer mining is extensive.The lowe r, l a ke port i o n n o r t h westward to the Dease Rive r. of Atlin Pa r k occurs here.

The Kechika Mountains Ecosection Pelly Mountains Ecoreg i o n is an area with high mountains, but includes low, is a rolling upland dominated by the Spruce – wide valleys (including the nort h e r n Rocky W i l l ow – Birch zo n e , of mainly treeless shru b s , i n Mountain Tr e n c h ) . It is in a ra i n s h a d ow of the the valleys and lower slopes, and extensive areas Cassiar Ranges to the we s t . This area is part of the of the Alpine Tu n d r a zone on the mid to upper Muskwa-Kechika W i l d e r ness Management A r e a . s l o p e s . The Alaska Highway passes along the Bri t i s h Columbia – Yu kon Te r ri t o r y Boundary. N o r t h e r n Omineca Mountains Ecosection is an area of rounded mountains and wide valleys, The Tu ya Range Ecosection it is the mildest area in this ecoregion. Logging is is the area with the most extensive rolling alpine c a r ried out in the Rocky Mountain Trench from landscape in the prov i n c e . Ingenika A r m to Wa r e .Tatlatui Pa r k occurs in the s o u t h we s t . The St. Elias Mountains Ecoregion is a ru g g e d , b o l d , ice-capped mountain area lying to The Southern Boreal Plateau Ecosection the leeward of the Alsek and Icefield Ranges. I n consists of seve ral deeply incised plateaus. B r itish Columbia it is represented by only one E x t e n s i ve rolling alpine and willow/birch habitat E c o s e c t i o n . o c c u r s . The Cassiar Highway passes by Kiniskan and Eddontenajon lake s . S e ve r al large protected areas occur here: Stikine Plateau W i l d e r ness park , Kluane Ranges Ecosection Gladys Lake Ecological reserve, the southern in British Coumbia this ecosection is entirely p o r tion of the Mount Edziza Pa r k , and the upper protected by the Tatshinshini – Alsek Pa r k . Stikine River Pa r k .

PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION • Naturescape British Columbia 1 5 The Nort h e r n Region Ecoprov i n c e

The Southern Yukon Lakes Ecoregion The Stikine Highland Ecosection is a gently rolling upland, with isolated mountains is dissected by the Stikine River as it enters the s e p a r ated by wide valleys.The Boreal White and Coast Mountains which allows moist Pa c i fic air Black Spruce Zone occurs in the valleys, with the easy passage into the nort h e r n interior of Bri t i s h S p r uce – W i l l ow Birch on the mid- slopes and C o l u m b i a . Alpine Tu n d r a zone on the upper slopes.. In Bri t i s h Columbia it is represented by 2 Ecosections The Tagish Highland Ecosection is a rugged transitional mountain area, all the The Teslin Basin Ecosection streams drain northward in the Yu kon Rive r is a wide valley, dominated by Teslin Lake and s y s t e m . B a r ren alpine areas and snow fields are we t l a n d s , isolated mountains and rolling uplands c o m m o n . The Carcross – Skagway Highway passes occur along the marg i n s . through near the southern boundary.

W h i t e h o r se Upland Ecosection The Tahltan Highland Ecosection is almost all in the Yu kon Te r ri t o r y.The small Bri t i s h is a transitional mountain area with a complex Columbia portion it is a wide valley with extensive d r ainage system, the large Taku River valley we t l a n d s . exposes the area to the coast moist air allow i n g Sub-Boreal Spruce to occur in the valleys and the Englemann Spruce – Subalpine Fir zone to The Yukon-Stikine Highlands Ecoregion dominate the lower slopes. is a transitional mountain area lying between the The Tatshenshini Basin Ecosection is an area with rugged coastal mountains to the west and the r o u n d e d , subdued mountains and wide valleys subdued plateaus to the east. The moist Sub- leeward of the rugged Boundary and St. E l i a s Boreal Spruce zone occurs in the southern valleys, R a n g e s . In spite of its close proximity to the while Engelmann Spruce – subalpine Fir zo n e Pa c i fic Ocean, this area has a typically nort h e r n o c c u r s on the lower slopes and in the boreal climate. The Hanes Highway passes n o r t h e a s t e r n valleys, the rugged Alpine Tu n d r a through from Hanes, Alaska to Haines Junction, o c c u r s on the summits and is ve r y extensive in the Yu kon Te r ri t o r y.The we s t e r n _’s of this area is n o r t h west port i o n . This Ecoregion consists of 4 protected by the Tatshenshini – Alsek Pa r k . E c o s e c t i o n s .

Red Breasted Nuthatch

1 6 Naturescape British Columbia • PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION The Nort h e r n Region Ecoprov i n c e

BOREAL PLAINS ECOPROV I N C E Fauna - The most abundant large mammal is the m o o s e . Both mule deer and white-tailed deer are common in the Peace Lowland Ecosection. L a r g e BOREAL PLAINS ECOPROVINCE c a r n i vor es include wo l ve s , and black bears . T h e o n ly small mammal restricted to this region is the Central Alberta Upland Ecoregion Arctic shrew. Clear Hills Ecosection Halfway Plateau Ecosection This Ecoprovince supports 61% of all bird species Peace River Basin Ecoregion k n own to occur in British Columbia, and 46% of all Peace Lowland Ecosection species known to breed in the province - the fo u r th lowest total in British Columbia. The many Southern Alberta Upland Ecoregion we t l a n d s , p o n d s , and slow - m oving streams on the Kiskatinaw Plateau Ecosection upland surface provide excellent habitat fo r breeding and migrating waterbirds. Some of the l a r gest breeding concentrations of Eared Grebe Location – The Boreal Plains Ecoprovince lies occur in this Ecoprov i n c e . Some of the ra r e s t east of the Rocky Mountains, south of the Fort shorebirds in British Columbia regularly migra t e Nelson Low l a n d s . It occurs on the A l b e r t a through the Peace Lowland Ecosection. T h e y P l a t e a u , and consists of plateaus, p l a i n s , p r a i r i e s , a n d include the Hudsonian Godwit, W h i t e - r u m p e d l ow l a n d s , and aw ay from the deeply incised larg e S a n d p i p e r, and Stilt Sandpiper. The area is the ri ve r s is genera l l y of low relief. It extends centre of abundance in the province for Broad- e a s t w a r d , across nort h e r n A l b e r t a , S a s k a t c h e w a n winged Haw k , S h a r p-tailed Grouse, U p l a n d and Manitoba and southern Nort h wes t Te r ri t o r y. S a n d p i p e r, F r a n k l i n ’s Gull, common Gra c k l e , a n d E a s t e r n Phoebe. It is the only breeding area in the Climate - The climate is typically continental p r ovince for Philadelphia V i r e o, C h e s t n u t - s i d e d since most of the moist Pa c i fic air has dri e d , Wa r bl e r, Black-throated Green Wa r bl e r, a n d crossing successive ranges of mountains before it Connecticut Wa r bl e r. The Boreal Plains reaches this area. In warmer months rain is larg e ly E c o p r ovi nce is also the major migra t o r y corri d o r due to surface heating, which leads to conve c t i ve in British Columbia for Lapland Longspur. s h owe r s . W i n t e r s are cold because there are no b a r ri e r s to irruptions of Arctic air. The only reptile to occur in this Ecoprov i n c e , t h e common garter snake, is ra r e . O n ly one Ve getation - Vegetation is dominated by the s a l a m a n d e r, the long-toed salamander, and fo u r Boreal White and Black Spruce Zone, a s p e n species of toads and frogs occur here. O n e p a r kland occurs in the Peace River Lowland and s p e c i e s , the nort h e r n chorus frog, has its centre of black spruce mu s keg s occurs throughout most of d i s t r i but ion in this Ecoprov i n c e . the upland surface. East of the Rocky Mountain F o o t h i l l s , on low ri d g e s , more mountainous This Ecoprovince supports only freshwater fi s h , vegetation deve l o p s , the Engelmann Spruce - such as, Arctic gray l i n g , n o r t h e r n pike, w a l l e ye, Subalpine Fir Zone occurs on the summits of s l i my sculpin, flathead chub, l a ke trout, l a ke these ridges south of the Peace Rive r, while the w h i t e fi s h , and pearl dace. S p r uce - W i l l ow - Birch Zone occurs on those ridges north of the Halfway Rive r.

PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION • Naturescape British Columbia 1 7 The Nort h e r n Region Ecoprov i n c e

E C O P ROVINCE SUBDIVISIONS The Peace Lowland Ecosection In British Columbia, the Boreal Plains Ecoprov i n c e is a large lowland that is deeply dissected by the has 3 Ecoregions containing 4 Ecosections. Peace River and its tri bu t a r i e s . This Ecosection has the mildest climate with the lowest snowfall in this E c o p r ov i n c e . F a r m i n g , e s p e c i a l ly grain crops is the The Central A l b e r ta Uplands Ecoreg i o n dominant enterp r i s e . F o r t St. John and Daw s o n is a rolling plateau that rises slow ly to the north of C r e e k , the largest communities in nort h e a s t e r n the Peace Rive r. It consists of two Ecosections in B r itish Columbia occur here. B r itish Columbia. Oil and gas exploration has been e x t e n s i ve here. The Southern A l b e r ta Upland Ecoregion is a rolling upland that rises from the Peace River Basin to the north and culminates in the Rocky The Clear Hills Ecosection Mountain Foothills to the south. In Bri t i s h Columbia this Ecoregion is consists of only one is a smooth rolling upland that gra d u a l ly rises in E c o s e c t i o n . elevation towards the north and east. N u m e r o u s wetlands occur throughout. The Kiskatinaw Plateau Ecosection The Halfway Plateau Ecosection is a rolling upland with some dissection by the M u r ray, K i s k a t i n aw and Wapiti ri ve r s . N u m e r o u s is a rolling upland with some higher ri d g e s , it has wetlands occur on the upland surface.Tu m bl e r wide valleys with some dissection by the small, R i d g e , located on the we s t e r n boundary is the southward flowing streams. Numerous we t l a n d s o n ly tow n and slow - m oving streams occur on the upland s u r f a c e .The Alaska Highway runs through the middle of this Ecosection, small settlements, s u c h as Wo n owon and Pink Mountain, h ave built up TAIGA PLAINS ECOPROV I N C E along it.

TAIGA PLAINS ECOPROVINCE The Peace River Basin Ecoregion Hay – Slave Lowland Ecoregion is a wide plain that lies between rolling uplands to Fort Nelson Lowland Ecosection the north and south; it is dissected by the Pe a c e R i ver and its tri bu t a r i e s . In British Columbia this Muskwa Plateau Ecoregion Ecoregion consists of only one Ecosection.T h e Muskwa Plateau Ecosection H a r t , Hudson Hope and Alaska highways all Northern Alberta Upland Ecoregion c o nve r ge in this ecoregion. Ethso Plateau Ecosection Maxhamish Upland Ecosection Petitot Plain Ecosection

1 8 Naturescape British Columbia • PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION The Nort h e r n Region Ecoprov i n c e

Location - This Ecoprovince lies to the east of breeding species of note include Cape May the nort h e r n Rocky Mountains in the nort h e a s t e r n Wa r bl e r, Canada Wa r bl e r, Black and White Wa r bl e r, p o r tion of British Columbia. It is chara c t e r i zed as and Rose-breasted Grosbeak. a large lowland that has been dissected below the A l b e r ta Plateau surface by the Liard River and its No reptiles are known to occur in the Taiga Plains t r i bu t a r i e s , n a m e ly the Fort Nelson and Pe t i t o t E c o p r ovi nce and the only amphibians known to R i ve r s . It extends nort h , in the Nort h we s t occur include the we s t e r n toad, n o r t h e r n choru s Te r ri t o r i e s , d own the upper Mackenzie River Basin f r o g , and wood frog. to the Beaufo r t Sea. This Ecoprovince supports only freshwater fi s h , Climate - The climate is continental. C o l d , d e n s e such as, Arctic gray l i n g , n o r t h e r n pike, w a l l e ye, Arctic air is unimpeded from the north and may i n c o n nu , white sucker and lake whitefi s h . e a s i ly bl a n ket the area in winter and spri n g . T h e long sub-Arctic winters are genera l ly dark with little heating by solar ra d i a t i o n . In summer, i t s E C O P ROVINCE SUBDIVISIONS location between the Arctic and Pa c i fic air masses In British Columbia, the Taiga Plains Ecoprov i n c e g i ve it long periods of cloud cover and unstabl e has 3 Ecoregions consisting of 5 Ecosections. we a t h e r. In ye a r s of cold tempera t u r e s , or of more moisture, some soils may remain froze n . The Hay – Slave Lowland Ecoregion Ve getation - O n ly the Boreal White and Black is a broad lowland area that lies below the higher S p r uce Zone occurs here. Black spruce bogs and p o r tions of the A l b e r ta Plateau to either the nort h wetlands are common and extensive. or south. There is only one Ecosection in Bri t i s h Fauna - Moose are the most abundant ungulate, C o l u m b i a . and black bear, and lynx are common carn i vo r e s . Scattered herds of caribou spend the winter months in all the upland, mu s ke g , and boreal The Fort Nelson Lowland Ecosection fo r e s t s . The mu s k r a t , m e a d ow vo l e , n o r t h e r n red- is dominated by extensive we t l a n d s , small lake s , b a c ked vo l e , and meadow jumping mouse are and mu s ke g . Oil and gas exploration is the main w i d e ly distri buted small mammals. i n d u s t r y.The Alaska Highway passes through the we s t e r n port i o n , F o r t Nelson is the only Bri t i s h The Taiga Plains Ecoprovince supports the lowe s t Columbia town in the Taiga Plains Ecoprov i n c e . d i ve r sity of birds of any terr e s t r ial ecoprovince in B r itish Columbia with only 43% of all species k n own to occur in the province having been The Muskwa Plateau Ecoregion r e p o r t e d , the area holds only 35% of all species is rolling and hilly, it is the highest portion of the k n own to breed. Pa r t of the reason for that low Taiga Plains Ecoprov i n c e . It lies to the east of the d i ve r sity may simply be a reflection of the ve r y n o r t h e r n Canadian Rocky Mountains. T h i s l ow level of observer effo r t in the region. T h i s Ecoregion consists of only one Ecosection. e c o p r ovince is the centre of abundance fo r breeding Lesser Ye l l owlegs and Solitary Sandpipers . S p r uce Grouse are abundant in the extensive boreal fo r e s t s . This is the only breeding area in the p r ovince for the Bay-breasted Wa r bler and is the centre of abundance for the Swamp Sparr ow. L e C o n t e ’s Sparr ow is locally abu n d a n t . O t h e r

PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION • Naturescape British Columbia 1 9 Expanding Developments in Nort h e r n Ecosystems

The Muskwa Plateau Ecosection E X PANDING DEVELOPMENT IN is a dissected upland area that rises above the Fort N O RTHERN ECOSYS T E M S Nelson Lowland to the east.The Alaska Highway The nort h e r n interior ecoprovinces encompass a passes through the southern and middle section ve r y large area, almost half the prov i n c e . T h e with a few service establ i s h m e n t s , such as Tru t c h region contains vast tracts of fo r e s t , mu s keg s and and Steamboat Mountain. numerous mountain ra n g e s , and the number of people who live there is relative ly small. A l t h o u g h not nearly as heav i l y affected by human activities as The Nort h e r n A l b e r ta Upland Ecoregion more readily accessible southern regions of the is an area of low rolling plateaus that ove r l ay flat- p r ov i n c e , such as the densely populated Lowe r lying sedimentary bedrock. M u s k eg predominates. Mainland and Okanagan valley, the north is Oil and gas exploration is the main industry. I n e x p e r iencing unprecedented growth because of B r itish Columbia it consists of 3 Ecosections. interest in development of energy potential, p a r t i c u l a r ly oil and gas. Logging and deve l o p m e n t of mineral resources are also having impacts in The Etsho Plateau Ecosection n o r t h e r n ecosystems. is a rolling upland that rises above the Fort Nelson Oil and gas exploration and development activities, L owland to the south. including construction of seismic lines, a c c e s s r o a d s , pipelines and well sites can result in loss or a l t e r ation of habitat for wildlife. Perhaps the most The Maxhamish Upland Ecosection s i g n i ficant problems stem from increased access to is a rolling upland that lies below the Etsho Plateau p r e v i o u s ly inaccessible areas. Increased access can to the east. On the west the Fort Nelson and result in increased hara s s m e n t , hunting and Liard ri ve r s have dissected the upland surface. p o a c h i n g , and vehicle-caused mortality of wildlife. For example, in nort h e r n B. C . , moose tend to t r avel on roads, p a r t i c u l a r ly when snow is deep, The Petitot Plain Ecosection and are ve r y prone to collisions. There is also is a level basin that has extensive wetlands and increased potential for encounters between bears s l ow moving streams. (and other wildlife) with people, and probl e m animals are frequently shot. Noise from e x p l o r ation and drilling activities and tra f fic can also displace wildlife. D i s r uption of norm a l p r e d a t o r-prey relationships, which for many n o r t h e r n species such as wo l ve s , g r i z z l i e s , c o u g a r and wo l ve r ine requires larg e , r e l a t i ve ly undisturbed t r acts of wildern e s s , is another concern . H owe ve r, predator efficiency may increase (at the expense of such species as caribou) if roads and s n owmobile tracks provide easier travel routes. Linear disturbances such as pipelines, t r a n s m i s s i o n lines and seismic lines can also be barri e r s to w i l d l i fe move m e n t .

2 0 Naturescape British Columbia • PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION Expanding Developments in Nort h e r n Ecosystems

P r ovincial gove rnment Land and Resource F r agmentation of habitat may also occur as a result Management Plans (LRMP) for the area recognize of both logging and oil and gas explora t i o n the potentially adve rse impacts on the land base a c t i v i t i e s , and invo l ves the breakup of once and associated wildlife, and have deve l o p e d e x t e n s i ve and contiguous ecosystems into vari o u s management directives that they hope will allow s i ze and shape fra g m e n t s . This can interfere with for exploration and development of resources in n o r mal movement pattern s , promote isolation of an env i r o n m e n t a l ly responsible manner. S o m e populations and a subsequent loss in genetic examples are: new oil and gas tenures will not be d i ve r s i t y ; and result in increased susceptibility of g r anted in Protected Areas unless surface more densely congregated species to predators , disturbance can be eliminated by such techniques increased parasitism of songbird nests by cow b i r d s as directional dri l l i n g ; gating roads that are in use, and harassment of some small birds by other, and decommissioning of access roads that are no l a r ger birds that prefer forest edges. longer needed. The LRMPs have also adopted the F o r e s t / c l e a r ing edges also have diffe r e n t g e n e r al management directive of conserv i n g microclimates from adjacent areas. M a ny fo r e s t - b i o d i ve r s i t y, including rare ecosystems, p l a n t i n t e r ior specialist bird and animal species require a c o m mun ities and habitat types. c e r tain minimum amount of intact fo r e s t , with its d i s t i n c t i ve microclimatic conditions, in which to Logging also results in increased access, and may b r e e d . F r agmentation of habitat can cause loss of also cause loss of habitat for species that do best l a r g e , w i d e - r anging species, and loss of area- in mature fo r e s t s , such as cari b o u , m a r t e n , s e n s i t i ve or interior species. M a i n t a i n i n g n o r t h e r n goshaw k , and some species of owls and connectivity between important habitat types fo r wo o d p e c k e r s . In the nort h e r n interi o r, t h e species is cri t i c a l ly import a n t . p r e fe r red species for regeneration are usually pine and secondari ly spru c e , so old-growth subalpine fi r- Impacts of fo r e s t r y are not all negative, h owe ve r. s p r uce stands are often replaced by young pine- Some wildlife, such as various species of bu t t e r f l i e s dominated stands. Clearcutting removes snags that and moose, b e n e fit from open meadow s , and the are important for cavity-nesting birds and prov i d e increased grazing and browsing opportunities in roosting sites, and may also produce local climate c l e a r c u t s ; o t h e r s , such as white-throated and c h a n g e s . w h i t e - c r owned sparr ow s , and warbling vireos b e n e fit from increased edge and/or yo u n g e r Poor logging practices can cause soil erosion, fo r e s t s . There is increased use of better fo r e s t r y sometimes with detrimental impacts on fi s h - p r actices that include leaving larger ri p a r ian bu f fe r b e a r ing streams, soil compaction, and introduction zo n e s , longer rotation ages, more careful road and spread of non-native plant species in c o n s t r u c t i o n , timing of operations to minimize reclamation mixe s . These often aggressive non- d i s r uption to wildlife, and practices such as n a t i ve species may outcompete native plants that i r regular thinning that maintain stand stru c t u r e , p r ovide fo o d , c over and other habitat species composition and landscape patterns that requirements for indigenous local wildlife. are similar to those generated by natura l Clearcuts are often replanted with one species of d i s t u r b a n c e s . In some harvested fo r e s t s , l a r g e t r e e , which can lead to vast areas that prov i d e t r e e s , snags and downed wood are left to prov i d e s t r u c t u r a l ly simple habitats and sustain a small habitat opport u n i t i e s . number of species; and are prone to major disease and pest outbreaks. The effects of herbicides and pesticides that are applied in forests on non-targ e t butterflies and other insects, insect-eating birds, and ungulates are not we l l - k n ow n . F i r e suppression to prevent loss of harve s t a ble timber m ay also change natural cycles.

PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION • Naturescape British Columbia 2 1 Expanding Developments in Nort h e r n Ecosystems

One part i c u l a r ly env i r o n m e n t a l ly signifi c a n t Despite the many environmental concern s , i t ecosystem in nort h e r n B. C . that is affected by would be unreasonable to expect, a n d m a ny of these issues is the Peace River aspen e c o n o m i c a l ly disastrous, to halt such activities as p a r k l a n d . Aspen parkland is restricted to this area e n e r gy resource development and logging in of B. C . , but is much more widespread to the east n o r t h e r n B. C . . At present, e n e r gy development is in A l b e r t a . The aspen parkland is chara c t e r i zed by the economic engine of the region and prov i d e s g r oves of aspen poplar trees inters p e r sed with jobs for a large percentage of the population. T h e g r a s s l a n d s . These unusual grasslands have challenge will be to develop economically fe a s i bl e d e vel oped as a result of a unique combination of and env i r o n m e n t a l ly sustainable solutions to t o p o g r a p h i c , climatic and soil conditions that inhibit p o t e n t i a l ly conflicting objectives of wildlife habitat tree growth and may occur on level to rolling c o n s e r vation and economic grow t h . g r o u n d , and on south or southwest-facing slopes a b ove ri ve r s and streams. They provide excellent winter habitat for deer and are home to seve r a l W H AT YOU CAN DO species of butterflies that usually occur far to the So what can you do to help conserve nort h e r n east on the pra i r i e s . I m p r oved drainage as a result ecosystems and promote sustainable deve l o p m e n t ? of agri c u l t u r al expansion, and subsequent changes Here are some suggestions: in soil chemical composition and texture; a n d suppression of fires have resulted in tree 1 . In this era of tight bu d g e t s , it is more import a n t encroachment in many of the grassy areas. than ever for individuals to act as watchdogs for Protected A r e a s , and to observe whether The aspen parkland of this region also includes best management practices are being used in ri p a r ian mixe d woo d habitats that provide valuabl e resource development activities. c over and food for songbirds (including seve r al red and blue-listed species of warbl e r s ) , excellent deer, 2 . Be a wildlife watcher. For example, if yo u elk and moose winter ra n g e , and migra t o r y o b s e r ve significant changes in nu m b e r s or w a t e r fowl staging areas. There are cri t i c a l species of birds or wildlife on your propert y, o r t r umpeter swan nesting sites near pothole lake s elsewhere in your area, contact staff in yo u r and the ri ve r s support substantial fish populations. local provincial gove rnment fish and wildlife S e ve r al unique species of plants also occur here. d e p a r t m e n t . Because these parkland areas were relative ly easily 3 . Join your local naturalist group and become c l e a r e d , they were quickly cultivated and few intact i nvo l ved with local conservation issues. areas of any size remain. The aspen parkland is t h e r e for e one of the most endangered ecosystems 4 . Keep info r med – read local papers and attend in Canada. p u blic info rmation sessions and public heari n g s regarding proposed deve l o p m e n t s . Another special ecosystem in nort h e r n interi o r B. C . is the larg e ly undeveloped Muskwa-Kechika 5 . Become familiar with the Land and Resource area that is considered globally significant fo r Management Plans for your region. If revisions w i l d l i fe due to substantial populations of larg e are planned, p r ovide info r m e d , rational input. I f m a m m a l s , including four species of large carn i vo r e s management directives set out in the LRMP and eight species of ungulates. This area guidelines to protect wildlife habitat values are represents one of the best opportunities in B. C . t o not being fo l l owe d , contact your local MLA. protect an intact, n a t u r a l ly functioning larg e mammal ecosystem with relative ly undisturbed p r e d a t o r-prey relationships.

2 2 Naturescape British Columbia • PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION Putting it all Together in your Ya r d

6 . Enlist support of local gove rnment to protect You will also need to consider the basic condition e nv i r o n m e n t a l ly significant features and areas. of your soil when selecting plants. H aving your soil a n a ly zed in a labora t o r y is the best way of 7 . Promote environmental sustainability in yo u r d e t e r mining the nu t r itional and textural base upon c o m mu n i t y. which you are building your naturescape garden. I f 8 . P r actice good environmental stewardship on a n a lysis is not possibl e , then talk to some local your own propert y, which may include retaining g a r d e n e r s . They usually have a good unders t a n d i n g snags and dying trees, maintaining trave l of local soil conditions, and can recommend the c o r ri d o r s and connectivity between habitat most suitable plants for your garden.They may also t y p e s , and protecting ri p a r ian bu f fer zo n e s . be able to recommend ways of modifying your soil c o n d i t i o n s , if you choose to do so.

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER Soil texture and topogra p hy affect dra i n a g e IN YOUR YA R D conditions on your propert y, and will also need to You now have a general introduction to be considered when choosing plants for yo u r ecosystems and a broad visual picture of the g a r d e n . For example, we l l - d r ained grave l ly soils N o r t h e r n Region Ecoprov i n c e s . After determ i n i n g m ay be perfect for many grassland or alpine plants, the location of your home within these but are inappropriate for plants adapted to moist e c o p r ov i n c e s , spend some time taking a closer bottomland soils. look at natura l , undisturbed areas nearby. The specific location of your home will also have The type of native plant garden and wildlife habitat c o n s i d e r a ble bearing on what plants you can grow that will wo r k best in your outdoor space depends and what animals you can expect to attract to on a combination of factors including the size of your propert y.This is where time spent observ i n g your propert y, exposure to sun and other n a t u r al areas beyond your property will be helpful. e l e m e n t s , soil conditions, t o p o g r a p hy,whether yo u If you can hear frogs calling near your home, yo u are in an urban or ru r al setting, and your specifi c m ay be able to attract them to a natural or l o c a t i o n . E ve r yo n e ’s outdoor space is diffe r e n t . a r t i ficial pond in your ya r d . If you live near a n a t u r al forested area with deciduous and The amount of shade or sunlight your outdoor c o n i fer ous trees and various berry - p r o d u c i n g space receives is an important factor to consider s h r u b s , you may want to consider creating a similar when creating your naturescape. For example, i f forest edge habitat in your ya r d . By noting the you have a small yard that is shaded by adjacent types of habitat found in local natural parks and buildings or large trees, you may want to consider u n d e veloped ru r al and wilderness areas, you will creating a shady forest floor habitat, filled with h ave a better idea of how your garden can fit into s h a d e - t o l e r ant shrubs and groundcove r s native to the natural landscape around yo u . The plant tabl e s the forests in your area. If your property has a full that fo l l ow this section have been org a n i ze d south or southwest exposure, you may want to try according to the type of habitat you may want to planting a native dry grassland or meadow habitat. create or enhance. By using these habitat c a t e g o r ies along with the info r mation on moisture and sunlight requirements for individual species, you will be able to select plants that best suit yo u r naturescape garden, and blend with surr o u n d i n g n a t u r al areas.

PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION • Naturescape British Columbia 2 3 Creating an Urban Naturescape Garden

R e m e m b e r, the more you study natural habitats, CONNECTING YOUR RURAL LIVING the more you will understand their stru c t u r e , S PACE WITH THE NAT U R A L p a t t e r n s , and processes. Creating native plant and L A N D S C A P E w i l d l i fe habitat is not a one-time project. It is an Living in a ru r al community provides you with a on-going process of experimentation and wonderful opportunity to create a living space r e fi n e m e n t . Your awareness and understanding of that blends natura l ly into the surrounding wild what wo r ks in your outdoor space will grow with l a n d s c a p e .This can be as simple as letting the time and experi e n c e , as will your ability to make c l e a r ings around your buildings develop “ f u z z y ” your garden more attra c t i ve to wildlife. S o m e edges that lead gently into the surr o u n d i n g things may not wo r k at fi r s t , but don’t get g r asslands or fo r e s t s . This may take some pra c t i c e , d i s c o u r a g e d . Try to determine why the project isn’t t h o u g h . M a ny of us were raised to believe that the s u c c e e d i n g . The solution may be as simple as w i l d e r ness needed to be brought under control, m oving a nest box to a different location, o r and that untidy garden spaces were a sign of bad opening up some forest edge habitat to attra c t m o r al chara c t e r. w i l d l i fe. Use surrounding natural areas as yo u r teacher – look to them if you need answe r s . M o s t B e l i e ve it or not, you can remain an upstanding i m p o r t a n t ly,be patient, and enjoy the adve n t u r e . member of society and still create a beautiful, p r actical living space that harm o n i zes with the s u r rounding wild landscape.You can do this C R E ATING AN URBAN m e r e ly by placing manicured areas and flowe r N ATURESCAPE GARDEN gardens closest to your home where you will have The size and shape of your outdoor space may the greatest opportunity to gaze upon them. limit the extent of native plant and wildlife habitat that you can deve l o p. A p a r tment dwe l l e r s with Then as you move aw ay from your house, a l l ow balconies could focus on creating small flowe r the landscape to become increasingly more wild gardens to attract hummingbirds and bu t t e r f l i e s . and natura l . This way you will create a living space Townhouse patio yards may offer enough space to that is both aesthetically pleasing to you and p r ovide a few shrubs and small trees that produce which complements the surrounding landscape. b e r ries or seeds that are attra c t i ve to birds. If yo u r patio area is large enough, perhaps a small Designing your space - w i l d f l owe r meadow or shru bby section of fo r e s t When designing your outdoor living space, t r y to could be created. Small yards have potential fo r retain existing landscape features such as snags, some larger trees or forest edge or open fo r e s t b r ush piles and rock piles.These provide valuabl e h a b i t a t . A pond for amphibians could also be habitat for many wildlife species.You can also c o n s i d e r e d . Nest boxes for birds and bats (see the create brush piles and rock piles by fo l l owing the P r ovincial Guide) are a valuable addition to any i n s t r uctions in the Provincial Guide. Also consider b a c k y a r d . You will be most successful in attra c t i n g retaining as many native plants as possibl e . If there these animals, h owe v e r, if you also have trees and are some plants you do not want in your garden, s h r ubs that provide cover and fo r aging habitat, t r y moving them to another place on yo u r and if your wildlife habitat is somewhat p r o p e r t y, rather than destroying them. undisturbed by human activities.

2 4 Naturescape British Columbia • PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION Connecting Your Rural Living Space with the Natural Landscape

Plan to use water effi c i e n t ly throughout yo u r type of debris can provide valuable habitat fo r n a t u r e s c a p e .This will probably mean planting i n s e c t s , amphibians and reptiles, and small ve g e t a ble gardens or non-native flowe r ing plants mammals and fo r aging habitat for some bird close to your house, since this is usually where s p e c i e s . And fi n a l ly,if you need to condition yo u r your water source is located. soil to meet the needs of your naturescape d e s i g n , you can do so by fo l l owing the instru c t i o n s N a t i ve plants will ra r e l y need to be watered once p r ovided in the Provincial Guide. they become establ i s h e d . Group these together with other plants that do not need supplemental Creating grassland habitats w a t e r i n g . This way you will only have to water N o r t h e r n grasslands are ve r y unique habitats in those areas of your garden that really need it. B r itish Columbia, and sustain many uncommon, Traditional lawns need water to remain green all v u l n e r a ble and threatened species of wildlife. I f s u m m e r.Try to use lawns only where they are you are fo r tunate enough to have native gra s s l a n d needed (e. g . sitting or play areas), keep them adjacent to your propert y, you may be able to s m a l l , and place them close to other areas that create additional habitat by allowing native plants need water. If you are living in a dry area, t r y to move in natura l ly to your space. The easiest xe r iscape landscaping (see the Provincial Guide) w ay to do this is to avoid mowing or gra z i n g using the drought-tolerant plants listed in the c o r n e r s of fi e l d s , areas between bu i l d i n g s , or sites plant tables in this booklet. along fencelines or roadway s . The same methods Creating your space – can be used to enhance existing grassland habitats. Remember to proceed slow ly with your project. R e c e n t ly cleared areas or sites with large areas of The creation of a naturescape is not something bare soil can also be seeded with native gra s s l a n d that should be hurri e d . You are well advised to p l a n t s . See Ta ble 1: N a t i ve Plants in this booklet spend the fi r st year taking stock, letting things for some possible species, and the Naturescape g r ow,and revising your plans gra d u a l l y. Resource Booklet, N o r t h e r n Interior for suppliers of locally adapted native plants. They should be You may need to start your project by cleaning up a ble to give you suggestions for the best species some existing junk piles. Once this is done, and cultural techniques for your area. Be sure to consider allowing these areas to reestablish on r e m ove as many weeds as possible before planting, their ow n . You may like what comes up.This will and be prepared to battle weeds for the fi r s t also let you see what types of native plants grow couple of ye a r s until the native species take hold. best in those spaces. If you are impatient, you can Seeding annual grasses such as oats or rye may a lw ays plant these areas with species that self- help by providing a ground cover until native plants propagate quickly, or seed them thickly with become establ i s h e d . Once establ i s h e d , n a t i ve species that easily become establ i s h e d . species should not require fe r t i l i ze r, i r rigation or If you are moving existing plants to new locations, pest control to thri ve. do so early in the spri n g , and let them grow n a t u r a l ly. N a t i ve shrubs and trees do not need to be pru n e d . You can further reduce the maintenance of your natural landscape by letting plants self-seed.You only need to “ d e a d - h e a d ” those plants you do not want to spread. Also try to leave branches and twigs, and bark and leaf litter on the ground. It may look messy, but this

PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION • Naturescape British Columbia 2 5 Connecting Your Rural Living Space with the Natural Landscape

Wi l d l i fe Tr e e s Despite its important ecological role, B r i t i s h There is life in dead and dying trees! A wildlife C o l u m b i a ’s wildlife tree resource is declining. T h i s tree is any standing dead or live tree with special decline seri o u s ly threatens the viability of many c h a r a c t e r istics that provide valuable habitat for the w i l d l i fe tree dependant populations, to the extent c o n s e r vation or enhancement of wildlife.T h e that entire species may become endangered. special chara c t e r istics include broken tops, l o o s e L a n d ow n e r s can play a significant role in b a r k and natural cav i t i e s . In British Columbia more c o n s e r ving valuable wildlife tree resources. As long than 90 wildlife species depend on wildlife tree as they are safe, w i l d l i fe trees can be maintained habitat for many of their life functions including on private propert y. In general the largest and r e p r o d u c t i o n , fe e d i n g , shelter and commu n i c a t i o n . tallest trees are the most valuable but wildlife trees of all different ages, s i zes and stages of decay The largest group of wildlife tree users are cav i t y p r ovide habitat for different species of wildlife. nesting birds. Birds that excavate their ow n c avities (e. g . wo o d p e c k e r s , nu t h a t c h e s , a n d chickadees) are known as pri m a r y cav i t y Enhancing forest habitats near your home – e x c av a t o r s . Birds that use the abandoned cav i t i e s Po c k ets of woodland habitat in your outdoor of the pri m a r y cavity excav a t o r s (e. g . small ducks, space will provide continuity with nearby fo r e s t s . owls and birds of prey) are known as secondary You can plant small woodland habitats around c avity users . W i l d l i fe tree dependant mammals your propert y, or you can plant smaller, s h a d e - include most bats, some forest rodents, f u r b e a r e r s , t o l e r ant shru b s , t r e e s , and groundcove r s along the b e a r s , and cari b o u . forest border to create more forest edge habitat M a ny wildlife tree users play important ecological (see the Provincial Guide).The plant tables in this roles in forest ecosystems. Most notable is the booklet will help you select plants that are most s i g n i ficant impact some of these species have on s u i t a ble for the type of woodland habitat you wish the abundance and distri bution of forest insect to create, whether it is a deciduous, c o n i fe r o u s , p e s t s . Birds like wo o d p e c ke r s , nu t h a t c h e s , a n d o p e n , or deep shade wo o d l a n d . chickadees consume large nu m b e r s of bark and wo o d b o r ing beetlles, bu d wo r m s , tussock moths, and saw f l i e s . In addition to providing habitat for birds and m a m m a l s , w i l d l i fe trees represent essential habitat for insects, s p i d e r s , m o s s e s , lichens and mu s h r o o m s . Once fallen, these trees become c o a r se woody debri s , habitat for a variety of species that inhabit the forest floor. U l t i m a t e ly, w i l d l i fe trees return important nu t r ients (especially nitrogen) to the soils of the fo r e s t .

2 6 Naturescape British Columbia • PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION Connecting Your Rural Living Space with the Natural Landscape

Protecting and restoring ri p a r ian habitats – P r oviding wildlife travel corri d o r s – R i p a r ian habitat refe r s to the green belt of M a ny wild animals avoid travelling across larg e vegetation around we t l a n d s , l a ke s , ri ve r s , a n d open areas because this makes them vulnera ble to s t r e a m s . The lush plant growth in these areas p r e d a t o r s . Interconnected corri d o r s of protective protects the waterbodies from ru n o f f , a n d vegetation fo r m important travel routes for many p r ovides extremely valuable habitat for many a n i m a l s . You may be able to create or enhance w i l d l i fe species.Try to protect ri p a r ian habitats on w i l d l i fe travel corri d o r s on and around yo u r or near your property by not draining we t l a n d s , p r o p e r t y. For example, if you plant a windbreak of and by leaving at least a 15-metre-wide band of t r e e s , consider adding some shrubs to prov i d e vegetation along or around the shoreline. Do not additional protective cover for smaller animals. O r use fe r t i l i ze r s or pesticides around ri p a r ian areas. you could plant hedgerows of native shru b s . T h e These chemicals have an uncanny knack of ending hedge should be 4-5 metres wide, and should up in surface and ground water runoff and, n o t include a variety of shrubs that provide seeds and s u r p r i s i n g l y, can seri o u s ly threaten the health of a b e r ri e s . After the shrubs become establ i s h e d , yo u we t l a n d . Also try to restrict livestock grazing and m ay wish to add some climbing vines. Do not human activity around we t l a n d s . Amphibians and p r une your hedgerow s . T h i c ker growth usually breeding wetland and marsh birds are often highly p r ovides better cove r.You can also plant shrubs in s e n s i t i ve to disturbance, and to the removal of clumps throughout your propert y. As well as p r o t e c t i ve ri p a r ian ve g e t a t i o n . p r oviding small islands of protective cover and fo r aging habitat, these shrub groupings can act as You may be able to enhance or restore ri p a r i a n living screens for areas of your yard that you may areas by planting native plants, and by reducing not want to see. human and livestock use of the ri p a r ian zo n e . I f you do not have wetlands on your propert y, When you don’t want to share your space remember that even small, wet areas such as with wildlife - seeps and ditches can provide valuable native If deer and moose are common visitors around plant and animal habitat if you avoid mowing or your home you will probably want to protect c l e a r ing them. For additional info r mation on the some of your garden by fencing it (although dogs protection of ri p a r ian areas, see the refe r e n c e can also be helpful here). Placing ve g e t a ble and section in the Resource Booklet. f l owe r gardens close together can reduce fe n c i n g costs and maintenance. A handsome and i n e x p e n s i ve fence can be made by obtaining scra p boards from local mills. Cut the boards into 1.5-2 metre lengths, and nail them ve r t i c a l l y to cross rails made from tree thinnings.You will also need to place a top-rail 0.5 metres above the top of the fe n c e .You may wish to plant native shrubs and vines along your fences to camouflage them, or to create additional cover or fo r aging habitat for wild a n i m a l s .

PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION • Naturescape British Columbia 2 7 In Summary

Another type of fence can be made from rails and IN SUMMARY fish netting. Rails can be made from tree thinnings, Look beyond your yard and focus on the and netting can be obtained at no cost from net s u r rounding natural env i r o n m e n t . You share this repair shops on the coast. Elevate the cross-ra i l s landscape with a community of native plants and 2.5 metres above the ground and drape the a n i m a l s . Can you see how your home’s address netting over the rail and down to the ground. n ow becomes your location in the broader Weight the bottom of the netting with rocks or landscape of the Central Interior Ecoprovince? b o a r d s . This type of fencing has the added As you dri ve through the towns and villages of advantage of allowing you to see beyond yo u r this region, you may notice how different they are p r o p e r ty to the surrounding wildern e s s . from the surrounding ru r al or wilderness areas. Urban landscapes need not be so disconnected If rodents are a problem in your garden, you can from the natural landscape. A little creativity and a keep them from damaging young trees by s l i g h t l y different approach to landscape planning w r apping the base of the tree trunk with wire are all that is needed to “ n a t u r a l i ze ” our urban m e s h , plastic spira l s , or PVC piping. D e t e r r e n t c e n t r e s . You will become an important part of this s p r ays (av a i l a ble from garden centres) and new philosophy by creating a naturescape garden. porcupine guards can provide added protection. By caring for native plant and wildlife habitat Tramping down snow around the base of yo u n g around your home, you begin the process of trees with also discourage rodent damage to tree creating a mosaic of native habitats that connect t r u n k s . with the surrounding wildern e s s . E ve n t u a l ly, yo u m ay want to move beyond your property line and If birds are raiding your ve g e t a ble or flowe r promote the creation, r e s t o r a t i o n , e n h a n c e m e n t , g a r d e n , t r y planting native berry- and seed- or maintenance of larger natural areas. Also think producing plants around your propert y. Birds are about the impact of human activity on your local less like l y to eat your pri ze fruits and ve g e t a bles if n a t u r al landscape. Consider learning about how there are plenty of native food sources nearby. urban development and resource extra c t i o n a f fects your local env i r o n m e n t . You may even want to get invo l ved in local area planning and If mosquitoes and black flies are a probl e m d e c i s i o n - m a k i n g . W h a t e ver you do, you will soon around your home, keep trees, s h r u b s , and tall see that your naturescape is part of an ove r a l l g r asses aw ay from outdoor sitting areas.T h i n n i n g commitment to maintaining the integrity and existing vegetation slightly, or planting new areas d i ve r sity of your local natural commu n i t y. so that there is good air movement amongst plants will also help control populations of biting insects around your home.

2 8 Naturescape British Columbia • PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION Ta ble 1: Native Plants of The Nort h e r n Region

TABLE 1: N ATIVE PLANTS If you are interested in growing a particular species The fo l l owing table lists some native plants that that is not stocked by a nu r s e r y, t r y collecting the occur in the four nort h e r n ecoprov i n c e s , g r o u p e d plant or taking cuttings from plants growing in by life fo r m e. g . t r e e s , s h r u b s , dwarf shrubs usually areas that are already disturbed, or slated fo r less than 30 cm tall, p e r e n n i a l s , g r asses and gra s s - d e vel opment (e. g . , road building sites, h o u s i n g l i ke plants, and fe r ns and fe r n - a l l i e s . Most have d e ve l o p m e n t s , logged areas, p owe r-line or ra i l r o a d w i l d l i fe values, as indicated in the comments ri g h t - o f - w ay s ) . O n ly collect plants when yo u s e c t i o n . M a ny are curr e n t l y av a i l a ble from local already have, or can create suitable habitat fo r retail and wholesale nu r s e r ies and garden centres, them on your propert y. Do not disturb natura l and the others can be obtained, with advance areas merely to create a similar natural space on n o t i c e , from specific nort h e r n suppliers (see the your propert y. You will be most successful in Resource Booklet). If a native species you wish to t r ansplanting native plants to your yard if yo u acquire is not listed below, ask local nu r s e r ies or fo l l ow procedures such as those listed in the seed suppliers . Stock is alw ays changing and they S t r e a m ke e p e r s and We t l a n d k e e p e r s manu a l s , o r m ay have the species you want or can get it fo r on the Streamside Nurs e r y web-site (see the yo u . If the plant(s) you want are not av a i l a bl e Resource Booklet). You could also collect seed l o c a l ly you be able to obtain them from nu r s e r i e s from native plants, but collect no more than 10% or seed suppliers in the Central or Southern of the entire seed crop, and do not collect in I n t e r ior or Lower Mainland (see the Resource p a r k s , ecological reserve s , or wildlife management B o o k l e t ) . M a ny nu r s e r ies in those areas prov i d e a r e a s . Most native seeds take time to germ i n a t e . mail order catalogues of the plants they stock. Pretreatment techniques such as scari fi c a t i o n Success rates for nu r s e r y - r aised native plants are and/or stra t i fication often improve germ i n a t i o n often much higher than those of plants taken from ra t e s . Most reliable gardening books provide tips the wild, e ven if the nu r s e r y has propagated plants on these types of pretreatment techniques. from stock that is not local to your area. N u r s e r y - raised plants will do best if they are protected with mulch for the fi r st winter, or until they become well establ i s h e d .

Highbush Cranberry

PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION • Naturescape British Columbia 2 9 Ta ble 1: Native Plants of The Nort h e r n Reg i o n

Use the range and habitat info r m a t i o n , plus the K E Y: key for light and moisture requirements, to select HABITAT & RANGE: plants that are most suitable for your setting. F o r e x a m p l e , if you want to create or enhance a dry, B P Boreal Plains open wo o d l a n d , or woodland edge habitat on yo u r S B Sub-boreal Interi o r p r o p e r t y, then select those plants that occur in N B N o r t h e r n Boreal Mountains forested habitats in your ecoprovince that prefe r T P Taiga Plains p a r tial sun and we l l - d r ained soils. M a ny species, SUN EXPOSURE: h owe ve r, do well in more than one type of habitat, so you may wish to experiment with yo u r S P r e fe r s full sun p l a n t i n g s . Be aw a r e , t h o u g h , that local grow i n g S S h P r e fe r s a mixture of sun and shade conditions vary considera bly throughout nort h e r n S h P r e fe r s full shade B. C . Depth and duration of snow cove r, w i n t e r

t e m p e r a t u r e s , and length of growing season all MOISTURE PREFERENCE: a f fect plant surv i v a l . In addition to using this plant t a bl e , you may wish to check nearby natura l D P r e fe r s dry, we l l - d r ained soils landscapes or refer to local plant identifi c a t i o n M P r e fe r s somewhat moist soils guides (see the Resource Booklet) when making W P r e fe r s moist to wet soils your selection of native plants to use in yo u r n a t u r al landscape design.

Pasque Flower

3 0 Naturescape British Columbia • PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION Ta ble 1: Native Plants of The Nort h e r n Reg i o n

Name Sun Exposure & Wildlife Values Common, Scientific Habitat & Range Moisture Preference Description & Other Comments

TREESTREES Subalpine Fir BP, SB, NB SSh, Sh 30 m evergreen tree (or Seeds enjoyed by squirrels Abies lasiocarpa Subalpine forests to M prostrate shrub near treeline), Browse for mountain goats treeline with smooth grey bark, short Buds, twigs and bark eaten by branches, and stiff needles snowshoe hares in winter

Paper Birch All S, SSh 30-40 m deciduous tree with Seeds eaten by pine siskins, Betula papyrifera Occurs on M white, papery bark; leaves turn chickadees and redpolls moist but well bright yellow in fall Wrens and creepers nest under drained soil in forests bark and forest openings Food for beaver and porcupine Low elevations Larval food for butterflies such as Compton tortoiseshell Shade intolerant; frost tolerant

Tamarack All S,SSh Small deciduous conifer to 20 m Seeds eaten by white-winged Larix laricina Bogs, swamps, fens M, W tall; needles occur in clusters, turn crossbills and common redpolls and lower mountain yellow and drop off in fall slopes

White spruce All S, SSh 30-35 m evergreen with cones Seeds eaten by crossbills and Picea glauca Occurs at low D, M with rounded scales, and grey, squirrels elevations in moist scaly bark; hybridizes with Large, old trees good for raptor soil along Engelmann spruce where their nests rivers and lakes, in ranges overlap Young trees used for summer bogs, fens, and wet nests to dry slopes Has shallow roots and susceptible to windthrow

Black spruce All S, SSh, Sh Small evergreen to 20 m tall with Seeds provide food for white- Picea mariana Bogs, fens swamps D, M, W a club-shaped top, hairy young winged crossbills and squirrels and upland sites near twigs, and small purplish-brown wetlands seed cones <3 cm long Low to moderate elevations

Lodgepole pine All S Evergreen to 30+ m, with curved, Seeds eaten by crossbills, pine Pinus contorta var. Occurs in forests at D, M often twisted needles in bundles grosbeaks and squirrels latifolia all elevations on a of two; cones are tan-coloured Needles eaten by Western pine variety of soils and in and often prickly elfin butterfly larvae various moisture Tolerates low nutrient sites regimes Often used for shelterbelts

Balsam poplar All S Tall deciduous tree to 50 m, with A nectar source for bees and Populus balsamifera Occurs mainly in M, W leaves that are tapered to a point butterflies and a larval food for ssp. balsamifera riparian habitats and at the tip, and sticky, aromatic moths on floodplains; also buds on moist uplands Low elevations

PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION • Naturescape British Columbia 3 1 Ta b le 1: Native Plants of The Nort h e r n Reg i o n

Name Sun Exposure & Wildlife Values Common, Scientific Habitat & Range Moisture Preference Description & Other Comments

TREESTREES Aspen poplar All S Deciduous tree to 30 m, with Food plants for several butterfly Populus tremuloides Occurs in a D, M whitish bark and trembling leaves species such as swallowtails variety of sites from that turn Nectar source for bees moist, open bright yellow in fall Food and building materials for forests to the edges beaver, food for porcupine of dry grasslands Snowshoe hares eat the twigs in Low to moderate winter elevations Buds are a favorite food of ruffed grouse Older aspens are preferred by woodpeckers for nest cavities Has shallow invasive roots, but appropriate for rural landscapes Hybrids and cultivars are available that are more suitable for smaller properties

SHRUBS Mountain Alder All S, SSh Coarse shrub or small tree to 10 Alder seeds are eaten by pine Alnus incana ssp. Riparian habitats and M, W m tall; often occurs in clumps siskins Alders provide good tenuifolia poorly drained sites Leaves coarsely toothed foraging sites for warblers and Low elevations Bark has distinct lenticels like other insect-eating birds birch Decaying alder trees provide Nutlets occur in small, stiff cones nesting sites for chickadees, woodpeckers and small owls Larval food for green comma butterfly

Green Alder All S, SSh, Sh Shrub to 3 m tall; flowers appear Nutlets provide winter food for Alnus viridis ssp. Upland forested M, W at the same time as the finely- songbirds crispa slopes and riparian toothed leaves Larval food for some moths and locations; usually on Nutlets occur in small, stiff cones butterflies well-drained coarse- textured soils Low to subalpine elevations

Saskatoon All S, SSh 1-5 m deciduous shrub with Berries eaten by many birds, Amelanchier alnifolia Occurs in dry to D, M showy white flowers in spring including tanagers, thrushes and moist forests and and purple, edible berries cedar waxwings forest edges, on Berries are also eaten by bears slopes and in gullies; and small mammals usually on well- Important winter browse for deer drained soils and moose Low to moderate Supplies nectar for some species elevations of butterflies and moths; larval food for some moths

Scrub Birch All S Low-growing shrubs <2m tall Provides cover for ground-nesting (Betula nana & B. Bogs, fens, meadows, M, W with small round-toothed leaves birds pumila var. marshes, rocky and flowers in catkins Seeds eaten by wintering redpolls glandulifera) slopes Buds provide food for grouse and To alpine elevations ptarmigan Larval food for butterflies Browse for ungulates

3 2 Naturescape British Columbia • PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION Ta ble 1: Native Plants of The Nort h e r n Reg i o n

Name Sun Exposure & Wildlife Values Common, Scientific Habitat & Range Moisture Preference Description & Other Comments

SHRUBS Red-osier dogwood All S, SSh, Sh To 4 m tall with bright red stems; Berries are eaten by kingbirds, Cornus stolonifera Moist soil, riparian M, W white to greenish flowers are thrushes, and other birds habitats, upland followed by white berries, leaves Favoured deer and moose winter forest and thickets are distinctly parallel veined browse From low to Larval food for butterflies moderate elevations

Beaked hazelnut BP, SB S, SSh 1-4 m deciduous shrub with Provides cover and nesting sites Corylus cornuta Moist well-drained M flowers in catkins and paired nuts for small birds areas in open forests enclosed in hairy bracts Nuts eaten by squirrels, voles, and shady clearings, mice, crows and jays riparian habitats, Browse for ungulates rocky slopes Low elevations

Wolf-willow; All S 3-4 m shrub with silvery leaves Nitrogen fixer Silverberry Thickets, forest D, M that are scurfy underneath, small, Berries eaten by birds and Elaeagnus edges, also occurs on yellow, very pungent flowers and mammals commutata gravelly floodplains silvery, dry berries Twigs and buds are winter foods and on river and for red-backed voles stream banks at Larval food for some moths low elevations Attracts butterflies such as Canadian tiger swallowtail, silvery blue

Common Juniper All S,SSh Low-growing (usually <1 m) Cones eaten by birds in winter Juniperus communis Dry, open woods, D evergreen shrub with sharp, Shelter for small mammals gravelly ridges, open needle-like leaves and bluish, rocky slopes berry-like cones From low to alpine elevations

Western Bog-laurel; BP, SB, NB S, SSh Small evergreen to 0.5 m tall with Swamp Laurel Bogs, muskegs, moist M, W pink, saucer-shaped flowers and Kalmia microphylla mountain meadows opposite, dark green leaves that To alpine elevations are whitish-hairy beneath

Common Labrador All S, SSh, Sh Evergreen shrub to 1.5 m tall Possibly larval food for boreal tea Bogs and moist M, W with small white flowers in spring azure butterfly Ledum groenlandicum coniferous woods clusters, and narrow, inrolled Low to moderate leaves that are rusty-hairy elevations beneath

Black Twinberry; BP, SB SSh, Sh 0.5-2 m deciduous shrub with Flowers are a nectar source for Bracted Moist forests, D, M, W small, yellow, paired flowers in hummingbirds, butterflies and Honeysuckle thickets, riparian early spring; black berries covered moths Lonicera involucrata habitats by conspicuous reddish bracts Larval food for some butterflies Low to moderate Berries eaten by birds and elevations mammals

PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION • Naturescape British Columbia 3 3 Ta b le 1: Native Plants of The Nort h e r n Reg i o n

Name Sun Exposure & Wildlife Values Common, Scientific Habitat & Range Moisture Preference Description & Other Comments

SHRUBS False azalea BP, SB, NB SSh, Sh Shrub to 2 m tall with oblong Cover and nesting site for birds Menziesia ferruginea Shady coniferous M leaves that are light green, turning woods, riparian orange in the fall, with rusty- habitats, moist slopes coloured hairs; Flowers salmon- Low to subalpine coloured, urn-shaped elevations

Shrubby Cinquefoil All S, SSh 0.3-1.5 m tall with abundant Provides nectar for bees, Pentaphylloides Open, often moist D, M yellow flowers, small compound butterflies and moths Floribunda habitats such as bogs, leaves with 3-7 leaflets, and Attracts beneficial insects meadows, cliffs, shredding bark Birds and small mammals eat the (Formerly Potentilla rocky slopes and seeds fruticosa) gravelly river flats; Browse prefers calcareous soils Low to alpine elevations

Choke cherry All S, SSh 1-4 m shrub occurs in open Berries eaten by birds and Prunus virginiana Forest edges, D, M forests and aspen parkland; has mammals thickets, open numerous white flowers in long Nectar source for butterflies, woodlands, clearings clusters, followed by reddish to larval food for some butterflies Low elevations black berries and moths Browse

Northern black All Sh 0.5-2 m deciduous shrub with Berries eaten by birds and currant Moist woods, M, W small white flowers early in mammals; Flowers provide nectar Ribes hudsonianum riparian habitats, spring, followed by black berries for hummingbirds thickets Low to moderate elevations

Black Gooseberry All SSh, Sh Deciduous shrub to 2 m tall with Flowers are a source of nectar for Ribes lacustre Moist forests, riparian M small reddish flowers in clusters, hummingbirds habitats, forested followed by hairy purple berries; Thorny gooseberries provide slopes leaves are slightly maple-leaf cover and the berries provide From lowland to shaped food for birds and small mammals subalpine elevations

Northern All S, SSh, 0.5-1.5m spreading prickly shrub Provides nectar for hummingbirds Gooseberry Dry to moist, open D, M with yellow to white flowers in Some gooseberries and currants Ribes oxyacanthoides woods and rocky clusters, followed by greenish to supply bees and butterflies with sites purplish fruit nectar, and larval food for moths Low elevations

Red Swamp Currant All SSh Deciduous shrub to 1 m tall with Provides nectar for hummingbirds Ribes triste Moist coniferous M, W small reddish to greenish-purple Berries eaten by birds and small forest, wetlands, flowers in drooping clusters, mammals riparian areas followed by bright red berries From low to subalpine elevations

3 4 Naturescape British Columbia • PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION Ta ble 1: Native Plants of The Nort h e r n Reg i o n

Name Sun Exposure & Wildlife Values Common, Scientific Habitat & Range Moisture Preference Description & Other Comments

SHRUBS Prickly Wild Rose All S, SSh Deciduous prickly shrubs to 1.5 Roses provide shelter for birds Rosa acicularis Open forest, slopes, D, M m tall, with large pink flowers, and rose hips are eaten by clearings, riparian followed by reddish hips coyotes, bears and grouse areas Young foliage is browsed by wild Low to subalpine ungulates such as deer and moose elevations Nectar source for bees

Wild red raspberry All S, SSh Erect deciduous shrub to 1.5 m, Berries eaten by birds and Rubus idaeus Thickets, clearings, D, M with white flowers, followed by a mammals open woods, red raspberry Shrubs provide cover for birds disturbed areas, Nectar source for bees often on well- drained sites Low to moderate elevations

Willows All S, SSh, Sh Deciduous, often much-branched Browsed by moose Salix spp. Usually occurs in M, W shrubs with catkins that appear Bark is eaten by beavers, and both riparian habitats or in before or at the same time as the bark and buds are eaten by moist woods leaves; fruits are capsules heather voles in winter Low to alpine Buds are also eaten by grouse elevations Larval host for butterflies such as dreamy duskywing Provides nectar for bees and butterflies Catkins of pussy willows (Salix discolor) provide early pollen for bees

Red Elderberry BP, SB, NB S, SSh, Sh Deciduous shrub to 6 m tall with Flowers attract hummingbirds, Sambucus racemosa Moist meadows, D, M small, white flowers in a cluster, berries are relished by birds such spp. pubens riparian habitats, and red or black berries as robins and waxwings forests Browse From low to moderate elevations

Soopolallie; All S, SSh 1-2 m deciduous shrub with Fixes nitrogen Soapberry; Canada Occurs in open D, M inconspicuous flowers that Berries eaten by heather voles, Buffaloberry forests, forest appear before the leaves; leaves bear, deer, porcupines and grouse Shepherdia openings and have whitish hairs and small rusty Forms thickets for cover canadensis clearings scales beneath; berries red to Lowland to subalpine orange; nice compact-growing elevations shrub for gardens.

Western mountain All S, SSh 1-5 m deciduous shrub has Berries are favoured by waxwings, ash Moist forests, forest D, M compound leaves, clusters of pine grosbeaks, robins, orioles, Sorbus scopulina openings, and white flowers and red to orange finches, grouse and mammals clearings berries Twigs are browsed by deer and To subalpine moose elevations

PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION • Naturescape British Columbia 3 5 Ta b le 1: Native Plants of The Nort h e r n Reg i o n

Name Sun Exposure & Wildlife Values Common, Scientific Habitat & Range Moisture Preference Description & Other Comments

SHRUBS Snowberry All S, SSh 50-150 cm deciduous shrub Winter food for pine grosbeaks Symphoricarpos albus Open woods, D, M Flowers white to pinkish; berries Berries are eaten by other birds & S. occidentalis clearings, floodplains white to purplish, last through the when other food is scarce Low elevations winter Larval food for snowberry clearwing moth Leaves and twigs browsed by deer Nectar source for bees, birds and butterflies Shelter and cover for small mammals

Black Huckleberry All S, SSh Coarse deciduous shrub to 1.5 Vaccinium species are larval food Vaccinium Coniferous forests D, M m, with small, pinkish, urn-shaped plants for several butterflies membranaceum and openings flowers followed by large blackish Nectar source for hummingbirds From low to berries and bees subalpine elevations Berries are eaten by birds and mammals

Velvet-leaved BP, SB, TP S, SSh Deciduous shrub to 0.4 m tall Larval food for pink-edged sulphur Blueberry Open forests, D, M with soft-hairy leaves, whitish butterfly Vaccinium myrtilloides clearings, bog bell-shaped flowers and a blue Berries eaten by bears, deer, hummocks berry with a pronounced whitish moose, caribou and birds such as Usually on gravelly or bloom grouse sandy soils Low elevations

Highbush Cranberry; All SSh, Sh Deciduous shrub, 0.5-2.5 m tall, Berries eaten by birds such as jays, Low-bush Moist forests, M, W with clusters of small white woodpeckers, and waxwings; and Cranberry; openings, riparian flowers followed by red to small mammals Squashberry habitats and orange berries; leaves turn bright Food for hummingbird moths Viburnum edule wetlands red in fall Possible larval food plant for Low to moderate boreal spring azure butterly elevations

DWARF SHRUBS

Kinnikinnick; All S, SSh Prostrate evergreen with long, Larval food and nectar source for Common Bearberry Well-drained, often D rooting branches and pinkish urn- butterflies Arctostaphylos uva- sandy soils, dry rocky shaped flowers; berries are bright Berries stay on the plant in winter, ursi slopes and dry red providing excellent forage for forests, clearings ground-feeding birds Low elevation to alpine

Bunchberry All SSh, Sh Trailing evergreen to 20 cm tall, Forage for deer Cornus canadensis Dry to moist D, M with large whitish bracts Sparrows, vireos and grouse eat coniferous and surrounding inconspicuous berries mixedwoods, forest flowers; fruits red, berry-like Cornus spp. are possible larval openings food plants for butterflies Low to subalpine elevations

3 6 Naturescape British Columbia • PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION Ta ble 1: Native Plants of The Nort h e r n Reg i o n

Name Sun Exposure & Wildlife Values Common, Scientific Habitat & Range Moisture Preference Description & Other Comments

DWARF SHRUBS Yellow Mountain- All S, SSh Woody-based, low growing (to Food for pikas in alpine habitats avens Gravel bars, rocky D, M 30 cm) prostrate perennial with Provides nectar for bees and Dryas drummondii slopes, especially on yellow flowers enclosed in hairy butterflies calcium-rich soils bracts; leaves prominently veined, Low to alpine green above and densely white- elevations hairy beneath

Smooth-leaved All S, M Mat-forming, low growing Food for pikas Mountain-avens; Exposed rocky or D, M perennial with creamy-white Browsed by Dall’s sheep in winter Entire-leaved gravelly sites, heaths, solitary flower on leafless, hairy Mountain-avens tundra stem; leaves are basal, leathery Dryas integrifolia Subalpine to alpine and are densely white-hairy elevations beneath

Crowberry All S, SSh, Sh Branched evergreen to 30 cm tall, Browsed by Dall’s sheep in winter Empetrum nigrum Muskegs, coniferous D, M with needle-like leaves that are Berries eaten by bears and voles forest, rocky slopes grooved below, and Low to alpine inconspicuous flowers followed elevations by black, berry-like fruits

Twinflower All SSh, Sh Trailing, delicate evergreen to 10 Source of nectar for Linnaea borealis Forests, wetlands, D, M cm tall, with nodding pink, bell- hummingbirds bogs, dry ridges shaped flowers in pairs Low to subalpine elevations

Dwarf Nagoonberry All SSh, Sh Hairy-stemmed dwarf shrub to Some Rubus species supply food Rubus arcticus Bogs, wetlands, open M, W 15 cm tall, with large pink to for butterflies forests, thickets, reddish flowers; leaves 3-lobed meadows or compound with 3 leaflets; From lowland to fruits red, raspberry-like alpine elevations

Trailing Raspberry; All SSh, Sh Trailing plant with compound Berries may supply food for birds Dewberry Moist to wet forests, M, W leaves with 3 leaflets; flowers such as white-crowned sparrows, Rubus pubescens wetlands, bogs usually white; berries red, chickadees and grouse, and small Low to moderate raspberry-like mammals such as chipmunks elevations Twigs and leaves may be browsed by rabbits and deer

Bog Cranberry All SSh, Sh Evergreen creeping shrub to 40 Larval food for Reakirt’s copper Oxycoccus oxycoccus Muskegs, bogs, M, W cm long, with leathery, widely butterfly always with spaced elliptic leaves, and pink Berries eaten by bears and grouse Sphagnum moss nodding flowers; berries large in Low elevations relation to plant, pink to red

Lingonberry; All S, SSh Trailing evergreen to 20 cm long; Berries eaten by birds, small Mountain Cranberry Muskegs, moist to D, M leaves leathery, inrolled and mammals and bears. Vaccinium vitis-idaea dry coniferous dotted with dark glands beneath; ssp. minus woods, alpine tundra flowers pinkish, bell-shaped; Low to alpine berries red elevations

PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION • Naturescape British Columbia 3 7 Ta b le 1: Native Plants of The Nort h e r n Reg i o n

Name Sun Exposure & Wildlife Values Common, Scientific Habitat & Range Moisture Preference Description & Other Comments

PERENNIALS Yarrow All S Aromatic perennial 10-100 cm Provides nectar for butterflies Achillea millefolium Open sites, D, M tall with fern-like dissected leaves Grazed by snowshoe hares meadows, clearings, and small white flowers in a flat Attracts beneficial insects slopes to round-topped cluster Low to high elevations

Pearly Everlasting BP, SB, NB, TP S Unbranched, to 80 cm tall; Eaten by deer Anaphalis Open forest, D, M flowers tiny, yellow surrounded Flowers attract syrphid flies, small margaritacea meadows, fields, by larger white bracts; leaves wasps and butterflies roadsides white-woolly below, often Foliage eaten by painted lady Low to high inrolled butterfly larvae elevations

Blue Columbine All S, SSh Taprooted perennial to 70 cm Provides nectar for bees, Aquilegia brevistyla Meadows, riparian M tall, with blue and cream, spurred butterflies and hummingbirds habitats, open forest, flowers, and leaves in groups of often on gravelly soil 3’s From low to subalpine elevations

Sitka Columbine BP, SB, NB, TP S, SSh To 1 m tall, with red and yellow, Provides nectar for butterflies and Aquilegia formosa Moist meadows, M spurred flowers, and leaves in hummingbirds forest openings, groups of 3’s rocky slopes Low elevations to subalpine

Holboell’s Rockcress BP, SB, NB, TP S, SSh 20-50 cm tall with narrow stem Several species of rock cress grow Arabis holboellii Dry slopes, D, M leaves and a rosette of basal in northern B.C., many provide floodplains, open leaves; flowers with 4 purplish to larval food for butterfly larvae and woods, grasslands pink or white petals; fruits long, nectar for adults Low to moderate narrow, pod-like elevations

Heart-leaved Arnica All S, SSh 10-60 cm tall with large yellow Arnica cordifolia Moist coniferous M flowers and heart-shaped basal forests, meadows leaves Low to high elevations

Showy Aster BP, SB SSh, Sh 30-100 cm tall with bluish flowers Provides food for butterfly larvae Aster conspicuus Open forests, D, M and leaves that are rough to the and nectar for adults clearings, meadows touch

Great Northern All S, SSh? Purple flowered perennial 30-100 Provides nectar late in the season Aster Moist to wet forests, M, W cm tall with lance-shaped, for butterflies Aster modestus openings, riparian clasping leaves habitats Low to moderate elevations

3 8 Naturescape British Columbia • PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION Ta ble 1: Native Plants of The Nort h e r n Reg i o n

Name Sun Exposure & Wildlife Values Common, Scientific Habitat & Range Moisture Preference Description & Other Comments

PERENNIALS Alpine Milk-vetch All S Mat-forming perennial to 35 cm Several milk-vetch species provide Astragalus alpinus Mountain meadows, D, M long with blue to pinkish flowers food for butterfly larvae and talus slopes, open that are paler at the base, and nectar for adults woods, gravel bars compound leaves with 13-25 From low to alpine leaflets elevations

Common Red All S Perennial to 60 cm tall with Provides nectar for hummingbirds Paintbrush; Scarlet Meadows, open D, M bright red bracts that look like Paintbrush woods and slopes, flowers, and narrow, prominently Castilleja miniata gravel bars, wetland veined leaves edges Low to alpine elevations

Marsh Cinquefoil All S, SSh Perennial to 1 m tall; flowers The flowers produce an odour Comarum palustre Marshes, bogs, wet W reddish-purple in loose clusters; that attracts carrion-feeding meadows; often lower leaves palmately insects as pollinators (Formerly Potentilla growing in water compound with 5-7 toothed palustris) Low to moderate leaflets elevations

Common Fireweed All S, SSh Showy perennial 0.5-3 m tall with A nectar source for hummingbirds Epilobium Disturbed sites, D, M large, bright pink flowers in a long and butterflies, and larval food for angustifolium especially burned or cluster; fruits are long pods that some moths logged areas; open to release seeds with a Eaten by small mammals and deer open forests, “parachute” of white hairs meadows, riparian habitats Low to subalpine elevations

Philadelphia All S, SSh Biennial or short-lived perennial Many species of fleabane supply Fleabane Open forests, M 20-70 cm tall with pink, purple or nectar to butterflies and moths Erigeron riparian habitats, white flowers; stem leaves philadelphicus clearings gradually reduced to the top Low to moderate elevations

Wild Strawberry All S, SSh Short perennial to 15 cm tall with Attracts butterflies such as the Fragaria virginiana Open forest, D, M creeping runners; flowers white; grizzled skipper disturbed sites leaves in 3’s with toothed edges; Low to subalpine fruit small, intensely-flavoured elevations berries

Northern Bedstraw All S, SSh To 80 cm tall with small white Nectar source for butterflies and Galium boreale Meadows, grasslands, D, M flowers and narrow, 3-veined larval food for bedstraw sphinx open forests leaves in whorls of 4 moths Low to subalpine elevations

Large-leaved Avens All SSh To 1 m tall with 1 large terminal Attracts bees Geum Moist meadows, M leaflet and several smaller ones; macrophyllum forests, clearings flowers yellow in clusters Low elevations

PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION • Naturescape British Columbia 3 9 Ta b le 1: Native Plants of The Nort h e r n Reg i o n

Name Sun Exposure & Wildlife Values Common, Scientific Habitat & Range Moisture Preference Description & Other Comments

PERENNIALS Alpine Sweet-vetch All S, SSh Taprooted perennial to 90 cm A favourite food of bears Hedysarum alpinum Open woods, rocky D, M tall with pinkish-purple, pea- Larval food plant and nectar slopes, gravel bars, shaped flowers in a cluster and source for butterflies tundra compound leaves with 9-23 From low to alpine prominently-veined leaflets elevations

Cow-parsnip All SSh, Sh Large perennial from 1-3 m tall Provides food for anise Heracleum maximum Open deciduous M with large, flat-topped, white swallowtail butterfly larvae forests, riparian flower clusters and large, Provides nectar for bees and adult habitats, moist sites segmented, toothed leaves butterflies From low to moderate elevations

Creamy Peavine All S, SSh Twining perennial to 1 m long, Larval food for butterflies and Lathyrus ochroleucus Deciduous, M with white to yellowish flowers nectar for bees and hummingbirds mixedwood and and compound leaves with 3-4 coniferous forests; pairs of leaflets; stipules to half as sometimes clearings large as leaflets Low elevations

Arctic Lupine All S, SSh Hairy-stemmed perennial to 60 Food for butterfly larvae and Lupinus arcticus Moist meadows, D, M cm tall with large bluish flowers, nectar for adult butterflies and open forests and palmately compound leaves bees Low to subalpine with 6-8 leaflets arising from the Seeds are eaten by ground elevations tip of the leaf stalk squirrels Food for pika in alpine habitats

Wild Lily-of-the- BP, SB, TP SSh, Sh Small perennial to 25 cm with Valley Moist to dry shaded D, M small white flowers in an erect Maianthemum woods, clearings cluster, and 2-3 heart-shaped to canadense From low to oval leaves moderate elevations

Star-flowered false All S, SSh, Sh 20-60 cm tall with white, star- Fruit may be eaten by grouse and Solomon’s-seal Forests, clearings, D, M shaped flowers in clusters at the some small mammals Maianthemum meadows, riparian tip of the stem; leaves narrowly stellatum areas lance-shaped, alternate; berries Low to subalpine dark-striped, greenish, turning (Formerly Smilacina elevations black at maturity stellata)

Buckbean; Bogbean All S Aquatic to semi-aquatic plant Seeds are eaten by waterfowl Menyanthes trifoliata Bogs, fens, marshes, W with white, fringed flowers; and edges of lakes and leaflets in 3’s, on long stalks ponds Low to moderate elevations

Tall Bluebell; Tall All SSh, Sh 20 cm-1.5 m tall with blue to Lungwort Moist forests, riparian M pinkish or occasionally white bell- Mertensia paniculata habitats, meadows shaped, drooping flowers and Low to subalpine lance-shaped, prominently-veined, elevations hairy leaves

4 0 Naturescape British Columbia • PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION Ta ble 1: Native Plants of The Nort h e r n Reg i o n

Name Sun Exposure & Wildlife Values Common, Scientific Habitat & Range Moisture Preference Description & Other Comments

PERENNIALS Yellow Monkey- SB, NB, TP Riparian S, SSh, Sh Trailing or erect annual or Nectar source for butterflies flower habitats, seepages, M, W perennial to 80 cm, with yellow Mimulus guttatus weeping rock faces, tubular flowers that are spotted wet ditches with red on the lower lip; leaves Low to subalpine in pairs, toothed elevations

Wild Bergamot; Bee BP S, SSh Perennial to 70 cm tall with large, Nectar attracts butterflies, moths, Balm Monarda Open woods, M rose-coloured to lilac tubular butterflies, bees and fistulosa meadows flowers and opposite, toothed hummingbirds Low elevations leaves

Yellow Pond-lily BP, SB, NB, TP S Large aquatic perennials with Seeds are eaten by waterfowl Nuphar lutea Ponds, shallow lakes, W large, yellow cup-shaped flowers, Leaves, stalks and flowers are slow-moving streams and floating, leathery, round to eaten by deer and muskrats From low to heart-shaped leaves Rhizomes eaten by beaver moderate elevations

Small-flowered All S Woody-based perennial to 40 Some penstemons are a nectar Penstemon; Slender Dry to moist D, M cm tall with dense clusters of source for butterflies, bees, moths Blue Penstemon meadows, slopes, small, usually bluish-purple and hummingbirds Penstemon procerus gravelly ridges, open flowers and opposite, lance- forests shaped leaves To alpine elevations

Sweet Coltsfoot All S, SSh, Sh 10-50 cm tall plant with white to Attracts butterflies Petasites frigidus var. Moist forests, M, W pinkish flowers that appear frigidus, nivalis, wetlands, clearings before the deeply lobed leaves palmatus Low to alpine elevations (depends on variety)

Moss Campion SB, NB S Mat-forming plant <5 cm tall with Nectar source for bees and Silene acaulis Rocky ridges and D, M pink to purplish flowers and tiny, butterflies exposed areas, rock narrow, stiff leaves A favourite rock garden plant crevices, tundra Alpine areas

Canada Goldenrod All S 30-100 cm tall with yellow There are several species of Solidago canadensis Meadows, forest D, M flowers in a dense pyramid- goldenrod in this region openings, often in shaped cluster; leaves numerous, Goldenrods provide butterflies disturbed areas lance-shaped, often toothed at and bees with nectar and are also Low to moderate the tips and rough to the touch eaten by woodchucks elevations Attracts beneficial insects

Narrow-leaved Bur- BP, SB, NB, TP S Aquatic perennial to 1 m with Provides cover and forage for reed Ponds, lakeshores, W tiny, greenish flowers in spherical waterfowl and marsh birds Sparganium slow-moving streams heads; long narrow leaves float in Eaten by muskrats and deer angustifolium in the boreal forest the water To subalpine elevations

PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION • Naturescape British Columbia 4 1 Ta b le 1: Native Plants of The Nort h e r n Reg i o n

Name Sun Exposure & Wildlife Values Common, Scientific Habitat & Range Moisture Preference Description & Other Comments

PERENNIALS Clasping BP, SB, NB, TP SSh, Sh Perennial 40-100 cm tall, often Berries are eaten by chipmunks Twistedstalk Moist forest, riparian M with a zig-zag stem; flowers and grouse Streptopus habitats, clearings white, bell-shaped on twisted amplexifolius Low to subalpine stalks; berries yellow to reddish elevations or purple

Stinging Nettle All S, SSh To over 2 m tall, with Larval food for butterflies such as Urtica dioica Riparian habitats, M inconspicuous flowers and red admirals and tortoiseshells deciduous forests, opposite, hairy, toothed leaves thickets Low to subalpine elevations

American Vetch All S, SSh, Sh Trailing or climbing perennial to Nectar source for bees, and larval Vicia americana Meadows, open M 1 m long, flowers purplish in a food for butterflies such as deciduous or loose cluster; leaves with tendrils western tailed blue mixedwood forest at the tip, compound with 8-18 Low to moderate leaflets; fruits are smooth pods elevations

Kidney-leaved Violet All SSh, Sh? Short plant to 15 cm; white Many species of violets provide Viola renifolia BP, TP M, W petals, some with narrow purplish food for butterfly larvae Moist coniferous nectar guidelines; leaves heart to This species blooms shortly after forests, forested kidney-shaped snowmelt wetlands Lowland to subalpine elevations

GRASSES AND GRASS-LIKE PLANTS

Bluejoint All S, SSh Grass to 2 m tall with a large, Some species of Calamagrostis Calamagrostis Moist forests, M, W nodding inflorescence supply food for butterflies canadensis meadows, wetlands From low to high elevations

Sedges All S, SSh, Sh Grass-like plants, often with Provide cover and nesting Carex spp. Although many D, M, W triangular stems; leaves are in 3 material for birds such as finches, sedges grow in and rows sparrows, and waterfowl adjacent to water, Variable in height Food for muskrats, lemmings and some are found in other small mammals upland grasslands Larval food for butterflies and forests Low to alpine elevations

Tufted Hairgrass All S, SSh An attractive grass with an open, Seeds are food for birds and small Deschampsia Grows in moist M, W shiny inflorescence mammals cespitosa meadows, riparian Plants form clumps that provide habitats nesting cover Low to alpine Cultivated varieties of this grass elevations are sold in garden centres

4 2 Naturescape British Columbia • PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION Ta ble 1: Native Plants of The Nort h e r n Reg i o n

Name Sun Exposure & Wildlife Values Common, Scientific Habitat & Range Moisture Preference Description & Other Comments

GRASSES AND GRASS-LIKE PLANTS Slender Wheatgrass All S, SSh 50- 90 cm tall with a long, Provides forage for deer, moose, Elymus trachycaulus Grasslands, D, M narrow spike inflorescence rabbits meadows, rocky Seeds eaten by birds slopes, open forest Seeds and leaves eaten by voles Low to moderate and ground squirrels elevations Many wheatgrasses are used as nesting cover by ground-nesting birds

Altai Fescue All S Tufted grass to 1 m tall, forms Important summer forage for Festuca altaica Open forest, D large tussocks caribou meadows, grassland Inflorescence a drooping, often Seeds eaten by birds and rodents From low to high purplish cluster elevations

Hairy Wild Rye; All S, SSh, Sh To 1 m tall with soft-hairy, spike Possibly winter forage for Dall’s Fuzzy-spiked Wild Open forest, south- D, M inflorescence sheep Rye facing grassy slopes, Leymus innovatus clearings Low to high elevations

Glaucous Bluegrass All S Short tufted grass to 30 cm tall Poa glauca Grassy slopes, ridges D with a narrow, often purplish and rocky outcrops inflorescence Low to subalpine elevations

Bulrushes All S, SSh Variable from leafy with drooping Provides food and cover for fish, Scirpus spp. Emergent in M, W inflorescences to almost leafless muskrats, and otters wetlands, stream and with small, erect flower clusters Seeds and leaves are eaten by lake edges ducks, geese, shorebirds Usually low to Nesting cover for waterfowl, moderate elevations blackbirds and wrens

Cattails All S, SSh Large flat-leaved plant to 2 m in Habitat and food for muskrats, Typha latifolia Emergent in M, W height, with thick, brown spike ducks, blackbirds, wrens and other wetlands, stream inflorescence wildlife edges, marshes Nesting sites for some ducks, Low elevations coots, grebes and other birds Used to filter pollutants from water bodies

FERNS AND FERN-ALLIES

Oak Fern All Sh Fern to 35 cm tall with leaf blades Gymnocarpium Moist forests, M, W that taper to the tip, and toothed dryopteris openings, rocky “leaflets” (pinnae) slopes Low to subalpine elevations

Horsetails All S, SSh, Sh Segmented, often branched plant Eaten by voles, and bears in early Equisetum spp. Moist forests and D, M, W impregnated with silica which spring, riparian habitats, makes it rough to the touch disturbed areas Spores are produced in cones at Lowland to alpine the tip of the stems elevations

PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION • Naturescape British Columbia 4 3 Ta b le 2: Non-Native Plants of The Nort h e r n Reg i o n

TABLE 2: N O N - N ATIVE PLANTS

The fo l l owing plants are not native to nort h e r n interior B. C . but can be beneficial to local wildlife. They are hardy in much of the area (check with your local nu r s e r y or native plant supplier) and are usually readily av a i l a bl e . Consult the Naturescape Prov i n c i a l Guide for further ideas on planting to attract bu t t e r f l i e s , birds and other wildlife to your propert y.

Sun Exposure & Name Description Wildlife Values Common, Scientific Moisture Preference & Other Comments

TREES Crabapple S, SSh Grows 3-15 m depending on variety; has Fruit is eaten in winter by robins, waxwings and Malus spp. D, M pinkish or white flowers, followed by small pine grosbeaks reddish fruit Nectar source for bees, butterflies, moths and hummingbirds Larval food source for moths Siberian crabapples (Malus baccata) are hardy to the coldest areas Don’t plant where water tends to pool as this may cause damage to the roots

Colorado Spruce S, SSh Height (<1 m to 18 m) and form variable Excellent cover and winter shelter for birds Picea pungens D, M depending on variety; needles bluish to green, Seeds are eaten by birds in the finch family cones pale brown with wavy edges

American Mountain S, SSh American Mountain Ash to 10 m tall, Berries are eaten by waxwings, thrushes, Ash and European D, M European Mountain Ash to 12 m tall: Tiny orioles, grosbeaks and other birds Mountain Ash white flowers occur in clusters, followed by Deer will browse leaves and twigs Sorbus americana bright orange-red berries Trees have attractive fall foliage colour and S. aucuparia

SHRUBS

Caragana; Siberian S, SSh Fast-growing shrub to 6 m tall with bright Provides nectar for hummingbirds and Pea Tree D, M yellow flowers, and small, slender pods butterflies Caragana When left unpruned, provides good cover for arborescens songbirds Often used in hedges or shelterbelts Drought-tolerant and low maintenance

Cotoneaster S, SSh Variable size shrub, usually with small glossy Berries are eaten by birds and other wildlife Cotoneaster sp. D, M leaves that turn orange to red in the fall; Nectar source for bees and butterflies berries red or black depending on variety Peking cotoneaster (Cotoneaster acutifolius) is particularly hardy, grows to 3 m tall and makes a good hedge

Honeysuckle S, SSh Shrubs 2-3 m tall with flowers and berries of Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies Lonicera spp. D, M different colours depending on variety Berries are eaten by birds

Nanking Cherry S, SSh Shrub to 3 m with masses of white flowers Berries are very popular with birds Prunus tomentosa D, M followed by leaves that turn orange to red in Flowers are a nectar source for bees, the fall butterflies and moths Easily started from seed

4 4 Naturescape British Columbia • PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION Ta ble 2: Non-Native Plants of The Nort h e r n Region

Sun Exposure & Name Description Wildlife Values Common, Scientific Moisture Preference & Other Comments

ANNUALS AND PERENNIALS Delphinium S, SSh Tall perennial that may grow to over 2 m, with Provides nectar for hummingbirds, bees and Delphinium elatum M blue, purple, pink or white flowers moths

Globe Thistle S Perennial to >1 m tall with striking globe- Nectar attracts butterflies and bees Echinops ritro D shaped, metallic blue flowers and prickly foliage

Sunflowers S Perennials or annuals of variable height, with Seeds are eaten by birds Helianthus spp. D, M large, usually yellow flowers, and large heads Provides nectar for bees and butterflies and with many seeds larval food for butterflies Easily grown but prefers well-drained soil

Pincushion Flower; S Annuals of variable height and a wide range of Provides nectar for hummingbirds, butterflies Scabious M flower colours and bees Scabiosa spp.

Black-eyed Susan S Long-blooming perennials with bright yellow Seeds eaten by birds Rudbeckia spp. D, M flowers Nectar source for bees and butterflies

PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION • Naturescape British Columbia 4 5 Ta b le 3: B u t t e r f l i e s , Moths and Beneficial Insects

TABLE 3: BU T T E R F L I E S , M OTHS AND I n fo r mation presented below on ra n g e , a b undance and fo o d BENEFICIAL INSECTS for butterflies and moths is specific to this region. T h e s e This table lists only the more common, non-pest bu t t e r f l i e s , butterflies and moths may be more abu n d a n t , o c c u py diffe r e n t moths and insects of non-coastal, n o r t h e r n British Columbia. habitats and eat different foods in other portions of the Range refe rs to the four nort h e r n ecoprov i n c e s : p r ov i n c e . O n ly the most frequently eaten plants are listed, a n d in some cases only the genus is give n . Because food species B P Boreal Plains use is poorly documented in British Columbia, bu t t e r f ly S B Sub-boreal Interi o r w a t c h e r s should record food plants supplemented with N B N o r t h e r n Boreal Mountains p h o t o g r aphs or pressed plant specimens. T P Taiga Plains

Name Common, Scientific Range Abundance Food Plants Habitat Comments

SKIPPERS FAMILY HESPERIIDAE Northern BP, TP Common along Larvae feed on plants in the Aspen parkland, Cloudywing Restricted the Peace River; pea family, likely red clover moist meadows, Thorybes pilades distribution rare elsewhere (Trifolium pratense), white streambanks Below 1000 clover (T. repens) and pea-vine m elevation (Lathyrus sp.)

Dreamy Duskywing BP, NP, TP Common along Larvae feed on willows (Salix Meadows and Erynnis icelus Below the Peace River; of spp.), poplars (Populus spp.) and riparian areas 1000 m scattered members of the pea family occurrence elsewhere

Persius Duskywing BP, NB, TP Widespread Likely lupines (Lupinus spp.) and Forest openings, This species has been Erynnis persius Common milk-vetches (Astragalus spp.) meadows, and recorded in most of along streams B.C. except the Queen Charlotte Islands

Grizzled Skipper BP, NP, TP Widespread Strawberry (Fragaria sp.) Found throughout B.C. Pyrgus centaureae Uncommon and Rubus spp. except in the Queen Charlottes and on Vancouver Island

Arctic Skipper BP, NB, TP Widespread Grasses such as purple Stream edges, Despite the name, this Carterocephalus More common in reedgrass (Calamagrostis meadows; from species does not occur palaemon the eastern part of purpurascens) low elevations to mainly in arctic habitats the range alpine

Garita Skipperling BP Restricted Possibly Kentucky bluegrass Undisturbed grassy The name skipperling Oarisma garita distribution (Poa pratensis) meadows refers to the small size Occurs along the of these skippers eastern portions of the Peace River

Common Branded All Widespread Grasses and sedges (Carex Open grassy areas; Males of one Skipper spp.) forest openings subspecies are Hesperia comma from low to commonly seen on the subalpine south-facing banks of elevations the Peace River

4 6 Naturescape British Columbia • PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION Ta b le 3: B u t t e r f l i e s , Moths and Beneficial Insects

Name Common, Scientific Range Abundance Food Plants Habitat Comments

PARNASSIANS AND SWALLOWTAILS FAMILY PAPILLIONIDAE Eversmann’s Apollo SB, NB, TP Of scattered Plants in the fumitory family; Mainly in upper Probably more widely Parnassius occurrence likely few-flowered corydalis subalpine distributed than eversmannii (Corydalis pauciflora) krummholz zones current data indicates but also occurs in due to the lack of alpine tundra and access to much of openings in lower northern B.C. elevation forests

Baird’s Swallowtail BP Restricted to the Tarragon (Artemisia Open, dry, grassy Swallowtails include Papilio bairdii Peace River area dracunculus) is the larval food slopes along the some of the largest plant Peace River canyon and most striking of all butterflies; most are tropical or subtropical

Old World BP, NB, TP Of scattered Larvae eat mountain Clearings in the Swallowtail occurrence in Sagewort (Artemisia norvegica), boreal forest, Papilio machaon northeastern and and possibly coltsfoot (Petasites subalpine willow extreme northern frigidus var. palmatus) communities, and B.C. alpine tundra

Anise Swallowtail BP Common in the Larvae eat plants in the carrot Forest edges, Leave dead branches Papilio zelicaon Peace River area family including cow parsnip streambanks, and flower stalks for (Heracleum maximum), beaches, hilltops, overwintering pupae Angelica spp. and garden dry grasslands, Anise swallowtails may carrots, parsley, and parsnips subalpine also pupate on other meadows vertical surfaces such as fences, house sidings and tree trunks

Canadian Tiger All Widespread Larvae eat alder (Alnus spp.), Coniferous forests, Males are frequently Swallowtail Common, birch (Betula spp.), balsam aspen woodland; seen “mud-puddling” – Papilio canadensis especially in the poplar (Populus balsamifera), from low drinking water with eastern portion trembling aspen (P. tremuloides) elevations to naturally occurring and willow (Salix spp.); subalpine salts, feces or urine, to Adults may take nectar from replace sodium lost to garden lilacs (Syringa spp.) females during mating

WHITES, MARBLES AND SULPHURS FAMILY PIERIDAE

Western White BP, NB, TP Common along Larvae feed mainly on native Dry meadows, Most white butterflies Pontia occidentalis the Peace River; of and introduced plants in the forest openings, in B.C. feed on plants scattered mustard family roadsides, and in the mustard family occurrence alpine areas up to and may taste bad to elsewhere 2500 m elevation some predators because of the mustard oil glycosides that they ingest

Margined White SB, NB, TP Common and Larvae may eat such mustard Cool, moist One of the first Pieris marginalis widespread in the family plants as rock cress habitats in butterflies in flight in western part of its (Arabis spp.), Pennsylvania bitter deciduous forests, spring northern range cress (Cardamine pensylvanica) willow/alder and stinkweed (Thlaspi arvense) (Salix/Alnus) floodplains & avalanche chutes; subalpine meadows

PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION • Naturescape British Columbia 4 7 Ta b le 3: B u t t e r f l i e s , Moths and Beneficial Insects

Name Common, Scientific Range Abundance Food Plants Habitat Comments

WHITES, MARBLES AND SULPHURS FAMILY PIERIDAE Mustard White All Widespread in the Native (e.g. Arabis spp.) and Moist meadows; Pest control for related Pieris oleracea north and east cultivated mustard family plants moist shrubby Cabbage Whites may forest openings to eliminate Mustard subalpine Whites elevations

Large Marble BP, NB, TP Common Larval plants are in the mustard Meadows, forest Euchloe ausonides Widespread family; rock cress (Arabis spp.) openings, and is the major food plant in B.C. riverbanks

Northern Marble BP, NB, TP Of scattered Larvae eat mainly whitlow grass Dry, sparsely Euchloe crusa occurrence (Draba spp.) vegetated forest openings, river flats, alpine tundra

Sara’s Orangetip SB, NB Of scattered Eggs are laid and larvae feed on Forest openings, Anthocharis sara occurrence in the mustards, particularly rock cress rocky slopes, cliffs western portion of (Arabis spp.) from sea level to northern B.C. subalpine

Clouded Sulphur All Widespread Larvae eat alfalfa (Medicago Grassland, Colias philodice Common sativa), red clover (Trifolium meadows and pratense), white clover (T. open forest areas; repens), probably American where alfalfa, vetch (Vicia americana), clover or vetches northern hedysarum grow; (Hedysarum boreale), and other To alpine members of the pea family elevations

Christina’s Sulphur All Common in the Larval food plants are vetches Open, dry pine Colias christina eastern part of the (Vicia spp.), and possibly yellow and spruce forests area; of restricted hedysarum (Hedysarum occurrence in the sulphurescens) and lupines west (Lupinus spp.)

Canadian Sulphur BP, NB, TP Of scattered Larval foodplants are in the pea Openings in the Colias canadensis occurrence family and may include boreal forest Uncommon hedysarum (Hedysarum spp.) and clovers (Trifolium spp.)

Chippewa Sulphur BP, NB, TP Common, Larval foodplants are blueberry High elevation Colias chippewa especially in the species such as dwarf blueberry bogs and wet northeast (Vaccinium caespitosum) and tundra perhaps bog blueberry (V. uliginosum)

Pink-edged Sulphur BP, TP Restricted to the Larval food plants are members Moist coniferous Colias interior eastern portion of of the heath family such as forest openings northern B.C. dwarf blueberry (Vaccinium where blueberries caespitosum) and velvet-leaved grow blueberry (V. myrtilloides)

Giant Sulphur BP, NB, TP Widespread and Willows (Salix spp.) Wet willow fens Colias gigantea common in and catchment northeastern B.C. marshes where willows grow

4 8 Naturescape British Columbia • PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION Ta b le 3: B u t t e r f l i e s , Moths and Beneficial Insects

Name Common, Scientific Range Abundance Food Plants Habitat Comments

GOSSAMER WINGS FAMILY LYCAENIDAE Dorcas Copper BP, NB, TP Of scattered Larvae eat shrubby cinquefoil Low elevation Lycaena dorcas occurrence (Pentaphylloides floribunda) boreal forest bogs and other wetlands

Reakirt’s Copper All Of scattered Larvae eat plants in the heath Forest openings Lycaena mariposa occurrence family such as dwarf blueberry and riparian (Vaccinium caespitosum), bog habitats where blueberry (V. uliginosum), bog Vaccinium host cranberry (Oxycoccus plants occur oxycoccos) and bog-rosemary (Andromeda polifolia)

Western Pine Elfin BP, NB, TP Of scattered Larvae eat lodgepole pine Mature pine stands Incisalia eryphon occurrence (Pinus contorta) needles Adults take nectar from Mackenzie willow (Salix prolixa)

Western Tailed All Widespread and Larval food plants are in the Open meadows, Blue common in pea family and include mature open Everes amyntula northeast B.C. American vetch (Vicia forests and riparian americana), milk-vetches habitats where the (Astragalus spp.) and pea-vines larval food plants (Lathyrus spp.) are present

Boreal Spring All Widespread and Possible larval food plants are Riparian habitats Azure common blueberries (Vaccinium spp.), and along the Celastrina ladon Viburnum spp., Labrador tea edges of open (Ledum spp.), cherries (Prunus meadows spp.) and dogwoods (Cornus spp.)

Silvery Blue All Widespread and Members of the pea family, Anywhere where Where lupines are Glaucopsyche common particularly lupines (Lupinus sp.) the larval food heavily fed on by lygdamus plants occur, from silvery blue larvae, the low elevations to plants develop high near treeline concentrations of alkaloids to inhibit further feeding

Northern Blue All Widespread and Probably dwarf blueberry Open meadows, Lycaeides idas common (Vaccinium caespitosum) to alpine elevations; pine forest openings

Greenish Blue All Widespread and Pea family plants such as Forest openings, Despite the name, Plebeius saepiolus Common clovers (Trifolium spp.) and meadows there is no green on possibly hedysarum the wings of this (Hedysarum spp.) species in B.C.

Arctic Blue All Of scattered Spotted saxifrage (Saxifraga In northern B.C. Agriades glandon occurrence bronchialis) and three-toothed found from 500 to saxifrage (S. tricuspidata); 2000 m in dry, possibly Androsace sp. and rocky or thinly locoweeds (Oxytropis spp.) grassed habitats

PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION • Naturescape British Columbia 4 9 Ta b le 3: B u t t e r f l i e s , Moths and Beneficial Insects

Name Common, Scientific Range Abundance Food Plants Habitat Comments

BRUSH FOOTS FAMILY NYMPHALIDAE Satyr Anglewing All Of scattered Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) Riparian areas and The wings of Polygonia satyrus occurrence and hops (Humulus lupulus) for moist, open Anglewings have a larvae, and tree and willow deciduous forests scalloped, jagged (Salix spp.) sap for adults where stinging appearance; mature nettle is found; anglewing larvae Up to subalpine resemble bird elevations droppings

Green Comma All Widespread Larval food plants are paper Riparian areas and Adults hibernate in Polygonia faunus Common birch (Betula papyrifera.), open deciduous woodpiles, barns, mountain alder (Alnus incana and coniferous hollow trees and ssp. tenuifolia), green alder (A. forests stumps viridis spp. crispa) and willow (Salix spp.); Adults feed on poplar (Populus spp.) and willow (Salix) sap

Hoary Anglewing All Of scattered Willows (Salix spp.), possibly Openings in Polygonia gracilis occurrence Sitka alder (Alnus viridis ssp. coniferous forests sinuata) and and along river currants/gooseberries (Ribes banks spp.)

Grey Comma BP, TP Uncommon in the Probably currants/gooseberries Forest openings Polygonia progne northeast (Ribes spp.) and poplar (Populus and riparian areas spp.) sap to subalpine elevations

Compton BP, SB, NB Of scattered Larval food plants are water Forest openings; Tortoiseshell occurrence birch (Betula occidentalis) and often seen along Roddia l-album paper birch (B. papyrifera); logging roads in the additional sources may be fall willows (Salix spp.) and trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides); adults may eat tree sap

Mourning Cloak All Widespread Larvae feed on willows (Salix Forest openings Some tortoiseshells Nymphalis antiopa spp.), and poplars (Populus and moist riparian such as the Mourning spp.); adults feed on sap of areas where willow Cloak hibernate in trees such as poplars prior to grows; hollow stumps, logs, hibernation Low to mid debris piles, and rock elevations piles

Milbert’s All Common and Larvae feed on stinging nettle Forest openings Tortoiseshell widespread (Urtica dioica) leaves from low Aglais milberti elevations to alpine; Frequently seen in mountain meadows in August

5 0 Naturescape British Columbia • PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION Ta b le 3: B u t t e r f l i e s , Moths and Beneficial Insects

Name Common, Scientific Range Abundance Food Plants Habitat Comments

BRUSH FOOTS FAMILY NYMPHALIDAE Painted Lady BP, NB, TP Common in the Larvae feed mainly on Canada Open areas over a Migrates into B.C. from Vanessa cardui Peace River region; thistle (Cirsium arvense var. wide range of the south each year of scattered horridum) and bull thistle (C. elevations May be common in occurrence vulgare) some years and absent elsewhere in others

Red Admiral BP, SB, TP Of scattered Larvae feed on stinging nettle Open areas from Migrates into B.C. from Vanessa atalanta occurrence (Urtica dioica) low elevation to the south each year alpine May be common in some years and absent in others

Aphrodite Fritillary BP, SB Restricted to the Larvae feed on violets (Viola Meadows in aspen Speyeria aphrodite Peace River region, spp.) woodlands where it is common

Northwestern All Widespread; Larvae feed on violets (Viola Meadows and Fritillary Common spp.) forest openings Speyeria hesperis especially in the eastern portion

Mormon Fritillary All Scattered Larval food plant is violets Forest openings to Speyeria mormonia throughout (Viola spp.) alpine elevations

Bog Fritillary All Of scattered Unknown Along streams in Clossiana eunomia occurrence openings in spruce forests; edges of bogs and lakes

Silver-bordered BP, NB, TP Of scattered Larvae feed on violets (Viola Sphagnum bogs, Fritillary occurrence spp.) fens, and aspen Clossiana selene parkland

Frigga Fritillary BP, NB, TP Of scattered Larval food is willows (Salix Along streams in Clossiana frigga occurrence spp.) openings in spruce forests; edges of bogs and lakes

Freija Fritillary BP, NB, TP Common in the Larvae feed on dwarf blueberry Mountainous and Clossiana freija east; of scattered (Vaccinium caespitosum) and boreal areas; occurrence kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva- spruce and pine elsewhere ursi) forests to subalpine elevations

Arctic Fritillary BP, NB, TP Widespread Larvae feed on willows (Salix Along streams in This species and the Clossinia chariclea spp.) openings in spruce Polar Fritillary occur forests, edges of farther north than any bogs and lakes; other North American mountainous and butterfly boreal areas; spruce and pine forests

PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION • Naturescape British Columbia 5 1 Ta b le 3: B u t t e r f l i e s , Moths and Beneficial Insects

Name Common, Scientific Range Abundance Food Plants Habitat Comments

BRUSH FOOTS FAMILY NYMPHALIDAE Pearl Crescent All Common in the Larvae eat asters (Aster spp.) Old fields, Phyciodes tharos east meadows, mature aspen woodland

Field Crescent SB, NB, TP Of scattered Larvae eat asters (Aster spp.) Grasslands and Phyciodes pratensis occurrence in the forest openings to north and east alpine elevations

White Admiral All Most common in Larvae eat trembling aspen Deciduous and Limenitis arthemis the eastern portion (Populus tremuloides) and mixed forests willows (Salix spp.); adults feed on carrion as well as nectar

Common Ringlet BP Restricted to the Larval food plants are grasses Meadows and Coenonympha Peace River district grasslands at low california elevations

Common BP Restricted to the Larvae eat grasses and possibly Meadows and Woodnymph Peace River district sedges (Carex spp.) grasslands at low Cercyonis pegala elevations

Common Alpine All Common in the Larval food is grasses Moist, grassy fields, Erebia epipsodea Peace River area; ditches, low of scattered elevation occurrence grasslands; elsewhere subalpine and alpine meadows

Chryxus Arctic BP, NB Of scattered Larval food is likely grasses and Dry grassland, Oeneis chryxus occurrence possibly sedges (Carex spp.) forest openings, and dry alpine tundra

5 2 Naturescape British Columbia • PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION Ta ble 3: B u t t e r f l i e s , Moths and Beneficial Insects

AT T R ACTING BU T T E R F L I E S : Butterflies are attracted to warm , s u n ny,sheltered spaces, w i t h Some bu t t e r f ly species are declining in the province due to sites for perching, resting and sunning themselve s . A water loss or degradation of habitat, pesticide use, and introduction s o u r c e , such as a stream, s e e p, p u d d l e s , or even ove r f l ow from of weedy species, p a r t i c u l a r ly non-native grasses that out- a birdbath is also required in summer, as butterflies can compete native plant sources of food for larvae and nectar fo r d e hy d r ate quickly on hot summer day s . In nort h e r n B. C . m a ny a d u l t s . Identifying the butterflies that you see, b e c o m i n g species of butterflies hibern a t e , and overwinter as adults, l a r v a e familiar with their food and habitat requirements, and prov i d i n g or pupae. O ve r w i n t e r ing adults look for hollow trees, these in your garden could ensure a safe haven for yo u r unheated bu i l d i n g s , and wood piles in which to hibern a t e . bu t t e r f ly visitors and viewing enjoyment for your family. If yo u Retain some leaf litter on the ground for hibernating larv a e don’t have a garden, potted plants and window boxes with and pupae, and try to prune plant material when eggs, l a r v a e a p p r o p r iate plants will wo r k . and pupae are not present.

G r owing a variety of plants will attract dive r se bu t t e r f ly When trying to attract bu t t e r f l i e s , it is critical to avoid using s p e c i e s , and plants are as effe c t i ve scattered throughout the herbicides and insecticides (even the otherwise garden as in solid stands. Try to select flowe rs so that some e nv i r o n m e n t a l ly benign biological control bacteria Bacillus plants are in bloom from spring to fall. Most of the bu t t e r f ly t h u r i n g i e n s i s , which can have devastating results on bu t t e r f ly l a r vae in B. C . are leaf fe e d e r s and most specialize on only a and moth larv a e ) . few larval food plants. Plants in the pea family such as lupines Careful observations of the butterflies and caterp i l l a r s that yo u (Lupinus spp.) , vetches (Vicia spp.) , h e d y s a r um (H e d y s a r u m s e e , and the plants that they eat, m ay provide new and useful s p p.) and clove r s (Tri fol ium spp.) ; c a r rot family including cow i n fo r mation to science, e s p e c i a l ly in this little studied region of p a r snip (H e racleum maximum) , c a r r o t s , d i l l , and pars l e y ; and in the prov i n c e . A c c u r a t e , careful observations on species and the mustard family such as native rock cress (A rab is spp.) , a n d their habits would be welcomed by the entomologists at the garden cabbage provide food for both larvae and adults of R oyal B. C . Museum (please see the Naturescape Resource s e ve r al species. Some additional ornamental plants that will Booklet for contact info rm a t i o n ) . g r ow in at least some parts of this area and could be tried are bee balm (Monarda fistulosa) , h o l lyhock (Alcea spp.) , d ay l i l i e s (Hemerocallis spp.) , pansies (Viola spp.) , red-osier dogwo o d (C o r nus stolonife ra) , p e a r ly eve r lasting (Anaphalis marg a r i t a c e a ) , goldenrods (Solidago spp.) , pinks (Dianthus spp.) ; and some species of gloriosa daisy (Rudbeckia spp.) , stonecrop (S e d u m s p p.) , honeysuckle (L o n i c e ra spp.) , and corn f l owe r s (C e n t a u r e a s p p.) . F a l l - blooming asters (Aster spp.) are v a l u a ble because they supply a late season source of nectar. If you have a place where they won’t be a nu i s a n c e , stinging nettle (U r tica dioica) and thistles (C i r sium spp.) are good food sources fo r s e ve r al butterflies in this area. Tree sap, e s p e c i a l ly from poplar (Populus spp.) and willow (Salix spp.) s p e c i e s , and rotting fruits may be used by some species. Other less savo u r y fo o d sources may be discarded fish guts, d u n g , and carri o n . Callippe Fritillary

PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION • Naturescape British Columbia 5 3 Ta b le 3: B u t t e r f l i e s , Moths and Beneficial Insects

Distribution and Moths Abundance (if known) Larval Food Habitat and Natural History

SPHINX MOTHS FAMILY SPHINGIDAE Bedstraw Sphinx SB Common fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium), Low elevation, open forests Hyles gallii Probably all bedstraw (Galium spp.) and Clarkia spp. Often seen at night around lights in early summer A powerful flier

Snowberry Probably all Dogbane (Apocynum spp.), snowberry The most common of the clearwings; occurs in Clearwing; (Symphoricarpos spp.), honeysuckle (Lonicera open areas throughout B.C. Hummingbird Moth sp.) Can be seen during the day Hemaris diffinis These moths are sometimes called Hummingbird moths because they produce a buzzing sound with their wings, like a hummingbird, when hovering over flowers. A more appropriate name is “Bee Moth”, because they look very much like large bumblebees visiting flowers for nectar.

Twin-spot Sphinx Southern SB and Willows (Salix spp.) , Low elevation open forests Smerinthus possibly southern BP poplar (Populus spp.), birch (Betula spp.), and jamaicensis fruit trees

Eyed Sphinx; Southern SB, and Willows (Salix spp.), birches (Betula spp.), Occurs along river margins and wetlands Cerisy’s Sphinx; southern BP (Peace poplars (Populus spp.) where willows grow, and in open forests at One-eyed Sphinx River region) low elevations Smerinthus cerisyi

White-lined Sphinx All Fireweeds (Epilobium spp.) These moths are called Hummingbird moths Hyles lineata Common because they produce a buzzing sound with their wings, and can easily be mistaken for hummingbirds when hovering over flowers to sip nectar

Modest Sphinx; Big Probably southern Poplars (Populus tremuloides & P. balsamifera), Habitat is deciduous and mixed forests Poplar Sphinx SB and BP willows (Salix spp.) Pachysphinx modesta

Hummingbird Moth; SB Viburnum spp., honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.), Found in forest edges, meadows and cultivated Common Clearwing Common snowberry (Symphoricarpos spp.) flower gardens Hemaris thysbe Can be observed in the daytime

GIANT SILKWORM MOTHS FAMILY SPHINGIDAE

California Silk Moth BP, SB, TP Willows (Salix spp.). Occurs in deciduous and mixed forests Hyalophora gloveri Although a silkworm, it is not closely related to the silkworms of Asia. Giant silkworms such as this one add too many leaves and knots into their cocoons for using them to produce silk. They don’t feed as adults.

Polyphemus Moth southern SB and Eats many different trees and shrubs, including Habitat is deciduous and mixed forests Antheraea probably southern birch (Betula spp.), spirea (Spiraea spp.), willows polyphemus BP (including the (Salix spp.), Prunus spp., and alders (Alnus spp.) Peace River area)

5 4 Naturescape British Columbia • PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION Ta b le 3: B u t t e r f l i e s , Moths and Beneficial Insects

Distribution and Moths Abundance (if known) Larval Food Habitat and Natural History

TIGER MOTHS FAMILY ARCTIIDAE Garden Tiger Moth Probably in southern Eats many different trees and shrubs, including Habitat is deciduous and mixed forests Arctia caja SB and BP birch (Betula spp.), spirea (Spiraea spp.), willows A very attractive moth that contains chemicals (Salix spp.), poplars (Populus spp.), Prunus spp., to repel predators alders (Alnus spp.), plantain (Plantago spp.) The hairs of the black fuzzy caterpillars can cause itchiness and rashes

Mottled Tiger Moth Probably southern Eats many different trees and shrubs, including Low elevation deciduous and mixed forests Lophocampa SB, BP such as red alder (Alnus rubra), spirea (Spiraea maculata spp.), saskatoon (Amelanchier alnifolia) & willows (Salix spp.)

Black and White NB Larvae feed on plantain (Plantago spp.) and Habitat is deciduous and mixed forests Tiger forget-me-nots (Myosotis spp.) Parasemia plantaginis

Wooly Bear Probably all Larvae feed on many plants, including Habitat is deciduous and mixed forests Diacrisia virginica snowberry (Symphoricarpos spp.) and vetches (Vicia spp.)

Isabella Tiger Probably all Spirea (Spiraea spp.), bracken fern (Pteridium Pyrrharctia isabella aquilinum), ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata), fireweeds (Epilobium spp.), grasses and many other plants

Mountain Tiger NB, possibly all Foodplants unknown Parasemia yarrowii

NOCTUIDS FAMILY NOCTUIDAE

Relict Underwing Probably SB, BP Birch (Betula spp.) and poplar (Populus spp.) This large moth has bark-patterned forewings; Catacola relicta bright red on the hindwings There are several species, all of which look very similar

Variable Darner

PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION • Naturescape British Columbia 5 5 Ta b le 3: B u t t e r f l i e s , Moths and Beneficial Insects

Distribution and Moths Abundance (if known) Larval Food Habitat and Natural History

BENEFICAL INSECTS AND ARACHNIDS Leafcutter Bees Important pollinators that use their leaf cuttings to make closed cells within which pollen is packed and an egg is laid Family Megachilidae Usually nest in the ground or in a natural cavity, and will nest in loose rock walls, between roof shingles, etc.

Orchard Mason Important pollinators that nest in small holes in trees, or in special nesting boxes available from garden centres for this Bees purpose. Osmia lignaria Propinqua cresson

Bumblebees Nest in dry holes in the ground, piles of dry leaves, or compost piles, or even bird boxes. Important pollinators Bombus species

Ladybird beetles Both adults and larvae prey on many pest species such as aphids, scale insects and mites Family Coccinellidae Leaving autumn leaves on the ground over winter provides shelter for these useful insects

Dragonflies & Adults are usually found near water; and prey on flies, mosquitoes, and other small insects. They will eat anything up to their Damselflies own size and can eat quite large insects like smaller dragonflies and yellowjacket wasps. Order Odonata Eggs are usually laid on aquatic vegetation or directly in water. Overwinter as larvae or as eggs. Larvae prey on aquatic insects such as mosquito larvae, etc.

Hover Flies Similar in appearance to wasps and bees but they do not sting or bite Family Syrphidae Important pollinators Occur in many habitats, near flowers Larvae of some species prey on aphids and scale insects.

Ichneumon Wasps This is the largest family of insects Family Large wasps, most of which have long, slender ovipositors for egg-laying Ichneumonidae Lay eggs on the larvae of beetles, butterflies, moths, etc. Most do not sting humans - the only ones that can are nocturnal ones that have tiny ovipositors.

Yellowjackets and Yellowjackets and bald-faced hornets are wasps that are voracious predators on other insects, including caterpillars and aphids. Hornets The insects are fed to the wasp larvae. Family Vespidae Nests are made of paper, and either hang in shrubs or trees, or are constructed in holes in the ground. Nests should be left in the garden, providing they are not a hazard to people.

ARACHNIDS Spiders Spiders should be encouraged in the home garden as they do not eat plants, but eat harmful garden insects such as Order Araneida grasshoppers, moths, mosquitoes, and wasps. Spiders may be encouraged by maintaining or creating habitats such as forest edges, patches of tall grass, rotten logs, leaf litter and wetland edges. Spider bites can be painful but spiders are not aggressive and bite very rarely, and then usually only when threatened.

5 6 Naturescape British Columbia • PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION Ta ble 4: Amphibians and Reptiles

TABLE 4: AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES Key Habitat Components: HOW TO USE THIS TABLE: S p e c i fic habitat features within the general habitat type that This table lists all the amphibians and reptiles curr e n t l y know n are important to the species’ s u r v i v a l . These can include to occur in non-coastal, n o r t h e r n British Columbia. features such as breeding ponds, or structures that prov i d e R a n g e : p r o t e c t i ve cover from predators or from the elements. Yo u will have a greater chance of attracting amphibians and reptiles Lists the ecosections where the species is fo u n d ; “ A l l ” s i g n i fi e s to your property if you provide these types of features within that the species is widely distri but ed in the Nort h e r n Region. the general habitat types. For example, you may have the Please refer to the ecosection map and tabl e . a p p r o p r iate forest or meadow habitat for Wood Frogs, bu t B P Boreal Plains without breeding ponds, the species is unlike ly to be present. S B Sub-boreal Interi o r Most amphibians need cool, shady retreats near water. If yo u N B N o r t h e r n Boreal Mountains do not have natural wetlands on your propert y, t h e T P Taiga Plains N a t u re s c ap e P r ovi ncial Guide provides tips on creating H a b i t a t : w i l d l i fe ponds (pp. 2 8 - 3 1 ) . Habitat lists the general habitat types where the species Most reptiles (lizards and snakes) need the protective cover of o c c u r s . Compare the types of habitats on your propert y, o r rock piles or coarse woody debris within their general habitats the types you wish to create, with those used by individual to withstand daily and seasonal temperature fluctuations.T h e species to determine which amphibians and/or reptiles yo u Naturescape Provincial Guide gives tips on creating rock piles m ay want to attra c t . S p e c i fic habitat features within the that may provide suitable micro-habitats for lizards and snake s . g e n e r al habitat type that are important to the species surv i v a l are called key habitat components. These can include fe a t u r e s D e f i n i t i o n s : such as breeding ponds, or structures that provide protective Coarse woody debris is the term given to fallen trees, r o t t i n g c over from predators or from the elements. You will have a l o g s , and broken tree branches and twigs that are lying on the greater chance of attracting amphibians and reptiles to yo u r g r o u n d . p r o p e r ty if you provide these types of features within the g e n e r al habitat types. For example, you may have the Reminder: It is best to avoid handling amphibians.They may a p p r o p r iate forest or meadow habitat for Wood Frogs, bu t h ave toxic skin secretions that are tra n s fe r red to your hands. I n without breeding ponds, the species is unlike ly to be present. t u r n , they may absorb, through their perm e a ble skin, c h e m i c a l s such as sunscreens or bug repellants on your hands that are G e n e ral Habitat: h a r mful to them. F u r t h e r m o r e , amphibians are often in danger lists the general habitat types where the species is fo u n d . of desiccation, and handling them can increase W h e r e ver possibl e , these habitat types have been made this ri s k . consistent with those in the plant tables for easy cross- r e fe r e n c i n g . Compare the type(s) of habitat on your propert y, or the types you wish to create, with those used by individual species to determine which amphibians and/or reptiles yo u m ay want to attract to your propert y.

PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION • Naturescape British Columbia 5 7 Ta b le 4: Amphibians and Reptiles

Name Common, Scientific Range Abundance Habitat Food Comments

FROGS & TOADS Columbian Spotted BP, SB, NB Widespread Prefers permanent ponds, Tadpoles feed on Can be active during Frog Ranges up Common marshes, lake edges and slow algae and leafy the day; Rana luteiventris to tree-line streams with abundant aquatic plants; Breeds early in spring in elevation vegetation; will forage in Adults prey on before ice has meadows or damp woods; insects, crayfish, disappeared; Shallow water is preferred for sowbugs, In northern BC, may egg laying but hatchlings and millipedes, spiders overwinter as tadpoles tadpoles can occur in deeper and slugs water

(Northern) Wood All; Widespread Juveniles and non-breeding Adults eat insects, More widespread and Frog To 1800 m Common adults occur in marshes, forest, spiders, worms, found further north Rana sylvatica elevation wet meadows and shrubland; snails, slugs; than any other Breeds in shallow ponds, wet Tadpoles eat algae amphibian in Canada; meadows & slow-moving and bottom Accelerated larval streams; detritus development allows it Eggs are attached to to cope with short submerged sticks or aquatic growing seasons; plants such as sedges Hibernates beneath forest litter and humus, insulated by snow; Breeds early, often before ice has melted; The genus name sylvatica means “of the woods”, referring to its preferred habitat

Boreal Chorus Frog BP, TP Uncommon Marshes, wet meadows, damp Ground-dwelling Northern Chorus To 800 m grass/shrubland or wooded insects and Frog; Striped elevation areas; invertebrates Chorus Frog; Prefers shallow standing water Tadpoles eat algae Swamp Treefrog of pools, lake edges or slow- and bottom Pseudacris moving streams for breeding; detritus maculata Eggs are attached to emergent plants

Western Toad; BP, SB, NB Widespread Fields, forests, mountain Adults eat worms, Has poison in its Boreal Toad; To 2250 m Common meadows; slugs, and insects; “warts” to deter Northwestern elevation Breeds in ponds or shallow lake Tadpoles eat algae predators; Toad edges, preferably with a sandy and bottom Needs logs or rock Bufo boreas bottom; detritus piles for cover Tadpoles form dense Not well-adapted to aggregations of hundreds or urban areas thousands; Baby toads often live under rocks or in brush; Eggs are laid in long strings, usually entwined in submerged vegetation; May live in small burrows for cover

5 8 Naturescape British Columbia • PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION Ta ble 4: Amphibians and Reptiles

AT T R ACTING AMPHIBIANS TO YOUR GARDEN: NEVER move eggs, t a d p o l e s , or adult amphibians. If the habitat Frogs and toads are carn i vorous for most of their live s , a n d you create is suitabl e, the amphibians will find it. M ov i n g s a l a m a n d e r s for all of their live s . They eat large nu m b e r s of animals risks introducing species to areas where they wo u l d s l u g s , i n s e c t s , wo r ms and small inve r t e b r ates and can be an not natura l ly occur, and risks inadve r t e n t l y moving disease e f fe c t i ve fo r m of natural pest control in the home garden. o r ganisms around as we l l . A l s o, unless your pond is connected While salamanders can hunt by smell, frogs and toads are to other suitable habitat, the amphibians would be separa t e d conditioned to attack moving prey and must have a source of from the rest of the breeding population. l i v i n g , m oving fo o d . Salamander larvae need live, aquatic prey. The nort h e r n areas of the province have not been thoroughly Most amphibians must have a source of clean water, w h i c h s u r ve yed for amphibians – further searching may turn up they absorb through their skins, and require for reproduction. v a l u a ble info r mation on habits, new species or extend the If you do not have a wetland or pond on your property the k n own ranges of existing species. A c c u r a t e , c a r e f u l Naturescape Provincial Guide provides tips on creating wildlife o b s e r vations on all amphibian species and their habits wo u l d p o n d s . Toads need somewhere to dig, and salamanders need be welcomed by the B. C . M i n i s t r y of Wa t e r, Land and A i r something to hide under such as rocks or logs. A q u a t i c Protection Frogwatch Program (please see the Naturescape vegetation provides protection from predators , shade and a Resource Booklet for contact info rm a t i o n . s u p p o r t for the egg masses of some species. Use the i n fo r mation in this table to try to re-create a natural habitat CAUTION: It is best to avoid handling amphibians. M a ny have which will provide fo o d , water and shelter from predators t oxic skin secretions that can be tra n s fe r red to your hands, such as birds, raccoons and snake s . h owe ver none of the native B. C . amphibians are considered dangerous to people. If you must handle an amphibian, p l e a s e ensure that your hands are moistened prior to contact, a n d free of sunscreens and repellents, as these can be absorbed through their perm e a ble skin.

Name Common, Scientific Range Abundance Habitat Food Comments

SALAMANDERS Long-toed BP, SB, NB; Widespread in the Grasslands, woods, disturbed Small invertebrates, Provide rock piles, Salamander To 2500 m south half of the areas, damp areas at forest snails boards or logs for Ambystoma elevation region margins close to standing shelter macrodactylum water, Can live in cold mountain meadows; Breeds in shallow permanent ponds, lake edges and slow- moving streams; Shallow ponds with abundant vegetation are preferred for eggs, hatchlings, larval stages and breeding adults; Juveniles and non-breeding adults are often found in grass and shrub areas, and less frequently in marsh and forests

PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION • Naturescape British Columbia 5 9 Ta b le 4: Amphibians and Reptiles

P ROVIDING HABITAT FOR REPTILES: C o n s t r ucting a rock pile in your yard (see the Naturescape Although there are those who would question attempting to P r ovincial Guide for details) could provide a place to bask in a t t r act snake s , the two mentioned above are effi c i e n t , n o n - the sun, c over and possibly a denning site for snake s . B o u l d e r s , t oxic fo r ms of pest control (part i c u l a r ly for slugs and mice). rock walls, plant ground cove r s , b r ush piles and logs can H owe ve r, few reptiles are adapted to the long, cold winters p r ovide shade and shelter from predators , while a pond or that chara c t e r i ze nort h e r n British Columbia. L ow summer stream can supply needed water. t e m p e r atures can reduce reproduction and ve r y cold winters The nort h e r n areas of the province have not been thoroughly can result in high mortality through freezing. The two species s u r ve yed for reptiles, and further searching may turn up of snakes that occur in this portion of nort h e r n B. C . are live - v a l u a ble info r mation on habits of snake s , new species, or ra n g e b e a r i n g , which may allow the female to provide optimu m extensions for known species. A c c u r a t e , careful observ a t i o n s conditions for development of the embryo s . Species in on nort h e r n snakes and their habits would be welcomed by n o r t h e r n regions are also readily able to adapt to gra d u a l ly the B. C . M i n i s t r y of Wa t e r, Land and Air Protection l owe r ing tempera t u r e s . They may increase reproductive h e r petologist (please see the Naturescape Resource Guide fo r success by hibernating in communal dens and thus being contact info r m a t i o n ) . exposed to potential mates quickly in the spri n g .

Name Common, Scientific Range Abundance Habitat Food Comments

REPTILES Common Garter BP, SB Widespread Inhabits a wide variety of Preys on slugs, The most widespread Snake Common habitats but most common amphibians, and cold-tolerant Thamnophis sirtalis near marshes, small lakes, earthworms, snake in North rivers, streams, ponds, and leeches and small America; humid forests; birds When captured these Dens communally in rocky snakes may bite or areas emit body fluids; In northern B.C. may overwinter in large communal hibernacula

Western BP Restricted range Prefers open sites such as Slugs, small Despite its name, this Terrestrial Garter Uncommon meadows and estuaries; mammals, fish, snake usually occurs Snake Dens communally in rocky amphibians, near water; Thamnophis elegans areas in winter worms, leeches, Aggressive and may birds and other bite when captured snakes

6 0 Naturescape British Columbia • PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION Ta ble 5: Birds of the Nort h e r n Region

TABLE 5: B I R D S P r ovide suet or a suet mix for wo o d p e c ke r s , c h i c k a d e e s , B i r d s , with their bright colours , songs and daytime habits, a r e nu t h a t c h e s , j ay s , and seve ral other species. Suet can be hung one of the most rewarding groups of wildlife to attract to yo u r in cake fo r m in an onion bag or wire fra m e , or pushed into h o m e .Here are some quick hints on creating a nort h e r n holes drilled into a hanging log. If you have had problems with i n t e r ior backyard or property to attract birds; for furt h e r wo o d p e c k e r s drilling on your house or outbu i l d i n g s , hang suet i n fo r mation please read the Naturescape Provincial Guide. fe e d e r s well aw ay from your bu i l d i n g s . D i f fer ent types of fe e d e r s and foods will attract different bird species. P l a c e P r ovide a source of water for drinking and bathing. A l m o s t fe e d e r s where there is cove r, as concentrations of fe e d i n g e ve r y bird species near your home will use a small birdbath. birds will attract predators such as hawks and cats. Wa t e r, e s p e c i a l ly dripping or running water, can be as effe c t i ve as food in attracting birds. Birdbaths can be as simple as a Put up nest boxes for cavity-nesting species such as l a r ge dish or old garbage can lid set in the ground. The bath c h i c k a d e e s , nuthatches and swallow s . D i f ferent types of nest should have a water depth of no more than 5-7 cm, s l o p i n g b oxes are required for different bird species (see the s i d e s , a rough, rather than smooth surface for tra c t i o n , and it Naturescape Provincial Guide for suggestions). L a r ger boxe s should be cleaned regularly. Bird bath water heaters are p r ovide homes for small ow l s , ke s t r e l s , f l i c ke r s , and seve ra l av a i l a ble for keeping water ice-free in the winter. Ensure that species of ducks. Be sure to clean out nest boxes after use as water sources are near perches and aw ay from shru bb e r y the nests may harbour para s i t e s . B a r n swallow s , S ay ’s where cats can hide. p h o e b e s , and A m e r ican robins can use nest platfo r ms placed under the eaves of houses or outbu i l d i n g s . L a r ge nest Plant berry or fruit-producing shrubs and trees. We s t e r n p l a t fo r ms built of wire mesh and sticks can attract larger ow l s . mountain-ash (Sorbus scopulina), c h o ke cherry ( P r u n u s If you have a large ya r d , b r ush piles or areas of thick shru bb e r y v i r g i n i a n a ) , saskatoon (Amelanchier alnifo l i a ) , red-osier dogwo o d will provide roosting and escape cove r. ( C o r nus stolonife ra ) , roses (Rosa spp. ) , g o o s e b e r ries and c u r rants (Ribes spp. ), and red or black elderberry ( S a m b u c u s If you are fo r tunate enough to have wetlands on yo u r racemosa ssp. p u b e n s ) are good native species. Some non- p r o p e r t y, you may be able to attract a number of species by n a t i ve species that might be attra c t i ve are crabapples ( M a l u s e n s u r ing that those sites are not drained or subjected to s p p. ),Ta t a r ian honeysuckle ( L o n i c e ra tatari c a ) , and Nanking pesticide or fe r t i l i zer ru n o f f . Minimizing human disturbance, c h e r ry ( P r unus tomentosa). b r ush cleari n g , and cattle grazing around these sites will help maintain prime nesting and roosting habitat for many birds. Plant nectar-producing native plants for hummingbirds. G l a u c o u s - l e aved or twining honeysuckle ( L o n i c e ra dioica va r. If you have pet cats, please keep them indoors , if you can. I f g l a u c e s c e n s ) , black twinberry ( L o n i c e ra inv o l u c ra t a ) , c u r rant and n o t , place low wire fences (sold in garden or hardware stores) g o o s e b e r ry (Ribes spp. ), blue columbine ( A q u i l e gia brev i s t y l a ) , around the base of your feeder or bird bath. Forcing the cat Sitka columbine ( A q u i l e gia fo r m o s a ), bee balm ( M o n a r d a to go over the fence should give the birds enough time to f i s t u l o s a ) , and common fi r e weed (Epilobium angustifo l i u m ) a r e e s c a p e . You may want to consider erecting a cat fence of excellent choices. Some non-native plants that produce nectar stucco wire, or attaching stucco wire to the top of high and should grow in at least some parts of nort h e r n interi o r wooden fe n c e s , to keep your cats confined to a specific area B. C . are crabapples (Malus spp. ), c a r agana ( C a ra g a n a of your ya r d , or neighbourhood cats aw ay from a bird fe e d i n g a r b o r e s c e n s ) , delphiniums (Delphinium spp. ) , c o r al bells a r e a . Belling cats is often ineffe c t i ve. ( H e u c h e ra spp. ), and pincushion flower (Scabiosa spp. ) . P r ovide seeds for sparr ow s , fi n c h e s , and other species. S m a l l black sunflower seeds are perhaps the best all-round type, bu t millet and large striped sunflower seeds are also popular. P i n e siskins prefer the small niger seeds. If you are feeding birds, b e sure to keep fe e d e r s filled during cold or stormy we a t h e r, h owe ver birds will not become dependent on your feeder to the point that they will not look elsewhere for fo o d .

PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION • Naturescape British Columbia 6 1 Ta ble 5: Birds of the Nort h e r n Reg i o n

The fo l l owing table lists some of the more common and/or Habitat refe r s to habitat in nort h e r n , non-coastal B. C . B i r d s r e a d i ly seen birds that occur in nort h e r n , non-coastal Bri t i s h m ay occupy different habitats in other areas of the prov i n c e . C o l u m b i a . D i s t r i but ion and abundance refe r s to the fo u r Compare the types of habitat on your propert y, or the types e c o p r ov i n c e s : that you wish to create, with those used by individual species to determine which birds you are most like ly to attra c t . P l e a s e B P Boreal Plains note that lack of space in the table often prevents inclusion of S B Sub-boreal Interi o r all habitats occupied by a particular species. Key habitat N B N o r t h e r n Boreal Mountains components are specific habitat features within the genera l T P Taiga Plains habitat type that are important for the species. These may A bundance may refer to migration peri o d s , summer or winter. include features that provide suitable nesting or roosting sites. If a bird is listed as common, it is common in at least one of You will have a greater chance of attracting birds to yo u r these times of the ye a r ; if it is listed as uncommon, it is not p r o p e r t y, if you retain or provide these types of features within common at any time of the ye a r. Regional bird guides should the general habitat types. be consulted to determine at what time of year these species can be expected in nort h e r n , non-coastal B. C .

Name Distribution and Breeding Habitat and Common, Scientific Abundance General Habitat Key Habitat Components Comments

CRANES Sandhill Crane All Wetlands, grasslands, Nests mainly in sedge (Carex Islands, riverbanks, beaches and Grus canadensis Uncommon agricultural fields for spp.) wetlands even fields surrounding airports roosting and feeding Requires unobstructed view of may be used for roosting and surroundings and isolation from feeding disturbance Migrates through northeastern B.C. Some breed in Ft. Nelson area

BLACKBIRDS AND ORIOLES

Brewer’s Blackbird All Low elevation Nests in human-modified Has expanded its range Euphagus BP, SB marshes, lakeshores, habitats, forests, thickets, northwards in recent years as cyanocephalus Common sedge (Carex spp.) grasslands and wetlands; nests are clearing of forests has increased NB, TP meadows, riparian usually constructed on the In B.C. breeding populations Uncommon thickets, deciduous ground close to wetlands or low- appear to be declining bottomlands; lying areas May nest in conifers in large yards Agricultural fields, and rural areas pastures, garbage Currant and gooseberry (Ribes dumps and other spp.) fruit eaten in fall human-modified habitats Roosts along the edges of open habitat such as fields, shorelines, roadsides, dykes and in trees, hedges, thickets, and wetlands

Red-winged All Usually occurs in low Breeds in marshes, sloughs, ponds Probably the most abundant land Blackbird BP Common elevation wetlands and muskegs where there are bird in North America Agelaius phoenicius SB, NB, TP with emergent cattails (Typha latifolia), bulrushes Appears to be increasing in the Uncommon vegetation and (Scirpus spp.), tall grasses or north shrubs; wet fields, sedges (Carex spp.) with willows Breeds regularly in the Peace pipeline rights-of- (Salix spp.) at the borders River lowlands way, stubble fields Nests are built in cattails, Often comes to feeders, bulrushes, sedges, grasses and particularly those offering shrubs sunflower seeds or cracked corn

6 2 Naturescape British Columbia • PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION Ta ble 5: Birds of the Nort h e r n Region

Name Distribution and Breeding Habitat and Common, Scientific Abundance General Habitat Key Habitat Components Comments

BLACKBIRDS AND ORIOLES Brown-headed All Usually at lower Prefers forest-field transition Lays its eggs in the nests of other Cowbird Common elevations, although zones, pastures, mixedwood birds so its nestlings are reared by Molothrus ater they may use alpine forests and mature aspen poplar the host species ridges in summer (Populus tremuloides) woods for Several bird species are now Open habitats in breeding; prefers areas with tall threatened by cowbird parasitism rural and urban shrubs Some species such as robins, locations, forest Baltimore orioles and cedar edges, near water waxwings, recognize cowbird eggs and eject them from the nest; Protecting riparian habitats and preventing habitat fragmentation of forests can limit the impacts of cowbirds.

Baltimore Oriole All Open deciduous Usually nests in stands of mature Breeds in the province only in the Icterus galbula BP Common, woodlands, often aspen poplar (Populus spp.) Boreal Plains. SB, NB, TP near clearings, lakes At the western limit of its Uncommon summer range in B.C.

CHICKADEES

Black-capped All Most abundant at Roosts overnight in tree cavities Chickadees will eat birch (Betula Chickadee BP, SB, NB lower elevations in or dense vegetation spp.) catkins in spring, seeds, Parus atricapillus Common deciduous, Prefers to nest in tree cavities in berries, insects found on conifer TP mixedwood and snags, stumps of deciduous trees cones Uncommon open coniferous near forest edges; prefers a shrub Black-capped chickadees can drop forests, also in understorey; also nests in riparian their body temperatures 10-12 thickets and riparian thickets, near ponds and in nest degrees at night in winter to woodland boxes conserve energy Often seen in rural Often seen at feeders, especially and urban areas those with black oil sunflower seeds

Boreal Chickadee All Forests Breeding habitat is open Eats seeds and insects Parus hudsonicus Uncommon coniferous, deciduous and Highest numbers in summer in mixedwood forests from valley B.C. occur in the Northern Boreal bottoms to treeline Mountains Tree cavities in stumps, snags and Usually occurs at higher elevations live trees for roosting and nesting than the black-capped chickadee

COOTS

American Coot All Lakes, ponds, Nests in dense vegetation such as Eats aquatic plants and Fulica americana BP Common sloughs, marshes, bulrushes (Scirpus spp.), sedges invertebrates SB, TP Uncommon flooded fields where (Carex spp.), cattails (Typha there is emergent latifolia) and grasses vegetation for cover Builds floating nests or attaches and food nests to emergent vegetation Nests often have an access ‘ramp’ built at one end and vegetation forming a ‘dome’ over the nest

PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION • Naturescape British Columbia 6 3 Ta ble 5: Birds of the Nort h e r n Reg i o n

Name Distribution and Breeding Habitat and Common, Scientific Abundance General Habitat Key Habitat Components Comments

DUCKS Ducks can generally be attracted to properties that have wetlands with abundant emergent and/or submerged vegetation, adjacent trees with nesting cavities and good vegetation cover in nearby upland areas.

Bufflehead All Lakes, and Breeding habitat includes lakes, Will use nest boxes Bucephala albeola BP, SB, TP Common sometimes rivers, ponds, sloughs in aspen parkland, The smallest diving duck, the NB Uncommon ponds, creeks farmland Bufflehead weighs only about Nests in cavities in living and 1 pound dead poplar (Populus spp.), lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta), and spruce (Picea spp.) trees

Barrow’s Goldeneye All Mainly on lakes, Uncommon breeder north of B.C. supports 60-90% of the Bucephala islandica Common ponds and rivers, 53˚ N latitude world’s population of Barrow’s but also seen on Nests mainly in deciduous tree Goldeneye sloughs, creeks, cavities in woodlands surrounding Will use nest boxes marshes wetlands

Common All Mainly lakes and Uncommon breeder in northern Eats aquatic invertebrates Goldeneye Uncommon rivers, but also B.C. Will use nest boxes Bucephala clangula ponds, marshes, Nests mainly in tree cavities close creeks to water

Mallard All Prefers shallow Nests on dry land in marshes, The most abundant and widely Anas platyrhynchos Common marshes, but also woodlands, at lake edges, distributed duck in B.C. occupies lakes, riverbanks Winters as far north as Peace rivers, ponds, wet Nests on the ground, usually River fields, ditches, parks concealed by vegetation Will use nest platforms

Common Merganser All Rivers, streams and Breeds along forested shores of Eats fish Mergus merganser Common lakes rivers, streams, lakes, ponds Will use large nest boxes Mainly nests along lakeshores and banks of large rivers; Nests in living or dead tree cavities, caves, or on the ground under dense shrub cover

Blue-winged Teal All Shallow water with Breeds in forested or open Breeds in northern B.C. Anas discors BP, TP Common emergent habitat near small bodies of Large numbers breed in the Peace SB, NB vegetation, flooded water, marshes, bogs, beaver River lowlands Uncommon fields, ditches ponds, fields, ditches; Mostly nests in grasses, sedges (Carex spp.), and bulrushes (Scirpus spp.)

Northern Pintail All Riverbanks, flooded Sparse or short-growing Large numbers breed in the Peace Anas acuta Common fields, ponds, vegetation preferred for nesting River lowlands marshes, lakes sites; nests on drier margins of lakes and ponds; in bogs, shrubby fields, forest edges

Northern Shoveler All Shallow lakes, Nests in open to semi-open Large numbers breed in the Peace Anas clypeata Common marshes, flooded habitats, in vicinity of marshes, River lowlands fields ponds, bogs, lakes, ditches

6 4 Naturescape British Columbia • PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION Ta ble 5: Birds of the Nort h e r n Region

Name Distribution and Breeding Habitat and Common, Scientific Abundance General Habitat Key Habitat Components Comments

DUCKS American Wigeon All Agricultural fields, Nests in brushy, upland habitats Large numbers breed in the Peace Anas americana Common sloughs, marshes, River lowlands lakes, fields

FINCHES Such shrub species as choke cherry (Prunus virginiana) provide food and cover; currant and gooseberry (Ribes spp.) fruit, and berries of honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.) and elderberry (Sambucus racemosa) are eaten in fall.

White-winged All Most abundant in Nests on branches in coniferous Eats conifer seeds, willow (Salix Crossbill Common higher elevation trees spp.) and birch (Betula spp.) buds, Loxia leucoptera mountainous berries and insects regions or where May be seen in winter in gardens spruce (Picea spp.) and at bird feeders eating seeds or larch (Larix spp.) and suet occur; Coniferous Logging boreal spruce forests and forests and short logging rotations pose a mixedwood threat to crossbills as maximum riparian forests; cone crops only occur after 60 muskegs, birch years (Betula spp.) woodlands

Pine Grosbeak All Open subalpine Probably breeds in the northern Eats buds, berries and fruits of Pinicola enucleator Common coniferous forests, interior various woody plants such as crab upper elevation Preferred breeding habitat is apples (Malus spp.), mountain ash boreal and sub- open, often young, coniferous (Sorbus spp.), snowberry boreal forests; also forests and forest edges (Symphoricarpos spp.) and roses lower elevation Little is known about breeding (Rosa spp.) forests, forest edges distribution and habitat A frequent visitor to bird feeders and settled areas in preference in the northern interior and often winter quite tame

Common Redpoll All Valleys, deciduous Breeds in riparian habitats, Attracted to feeders with niger Carduelis flammea Common riparian habitat, edge thickets on floodplains, wetlands seed habitat, weedy and Nesting occurs in subalpine areas Eats catkins of birch (Betula spp.) settled areas and alder (Alnus spp.) To alpine elevations Known to breed in the province only in the Northern Boreal Mountains

Pine Siskin All Open forests, Populations vary in response to Eats conifer seeds; birch (Betula Carduelis pinus Variable, sometimes settled areas, open cone crop production of conifers; spp.) catkins in spring Common subalpine habitats mainly nests in conifers Attracted to feeders with niger and alpine meadows and sunflower seeds but very susceptible to disease when congregating in large numbers

FLYCATCHERS

Eastern Kingbird All Usually occupies Breeding habitat similar to non- Eats insects in summer, berries in Tyrannus tyrannus BP Common dense riparian breeding habitat; prefers sites late summer and fall SB, NB, TP woodlands in valley with dead trees or shrubs by Will use nest boxes Uncommon bottoms and lower water or forest/wetland edges slopes, edges of marshes, ponds; wet meadows, lakes, hedgerows, fields

PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION • Naturescape British Columbia 6 5 Ta ble 5: Birds of the Nort h e r n Reg i o n

Name Distribution and Breeding Habitat and Common, Scientific Abundance General Habitat Key Habitat Components Comments

FLYCATCHERS Say’s Phoebe All Open country, often Frequently nests in buildings, Eats insects Sayornis saya SB, NB Common in settled areas; bridges, culverts and other man- Often builds its nest in the same BP, TP clearings, riparian made structures; also cliffs, caves, site year after year Uncommon habitats, meadows, rock crevices Will nest on nest platforms To alpine elevations

Western Wood- All Open coniferous, Frequently nests in aspen and May inhabit farmyards and Pewee BP, SB deciduous or balsam poplars (Populus spp.) gardens; frequently nests near Contopus sordidulus Common mixedwood forests, Favourite perches for hunting and beaver ponds in northern B.C. NB, TP usually near water or calling are dead lower aspen Uncommon at forest edges poplar (Populus tremuloides) branches or tops of small trees

GEESE

Canada Goose All Abundant where Breeds in marshes, lakes, islands, Forages in agricultural fields Branta canadensis Common there is permanent tundra, muskegs, fields, ditches, Will nest on nest platforms water and adjacent dykes; nests close to permanent grazing areas water

GREBES

Horned Grebe All Sheltered areas of Nests mainly on calm lakes and Eats aquatic insects and fish Podiceps auritus Common larger lakes; wetlands marshes with emergent Uses mainly bulrushes (Scirpus vegetation, also on ponds, spp.) but also cattails (Typha sloughs, streams and river latifolia), sedges (Carex spp.), backwaters rushes (Juncus spp.) and hosetails (Equisetum spp.) for nesting Will use nest platforms

Red-necked Grebe All Large lakes and slow- Breeds on sheltered, usually Eats insects and fish Podiceps grisegena BP, TP moving rivers, shallow, vegetated lakes; needs Uses mainly bulrushes (Scirpus Common wetlands submerged and emergent spp.), cattails (Typha latifolia) and SB, NB vegetation and protection from sedges (Carex spp.) for nesting, Uncommon? wind and wave action but also submerged aquatic plants;

GROUSE AND PTARMIGAN

Spruce Grouse All Coniferous forests Nests in open, coniferous forest Dendragapus Uncommon from lowland valleys with a sparse shrub understorey canadensis to treeline

Ruffed Grouse All Prefers low elevation Brushy areas, thickets, forest Tends to avoid inhabited areas Bonasa umbellus Common wooded habitats edges, aspen poplar (Populus along river bottoms; tremuloides) groves occurs in second growth deciduous and mixedwood forests

Willow Ptarmigan SB, NB Subalpine and alpine Nests on alpine tundra in a Lagopus lagopus Uncommon zones of mountains shallow scrape lined with grass and plateaus; and feathers Willow (Salix spp.) a n d scrub birch ( B e t u l a pumila var. glandulifera) thickets, wet sedge (Carex spp.) m e a d o w s , stream and lake edges, gravel bars, forest edges, open tundra

6 6 Naturescape British Columbia • PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION Ta ble 5: Birds of the Nort h e r n Region

Name Distribution and Breeding Habitat and Common, Scientific Abundance General Habitat Key Habitat Components Comments

HUMMINGBIRDS Hummingbirds will visit potted plants such as fuchsias, red impatiens and geraniums. Branches for perching give them a chance to rest, and wait their turn at a feeder. They are attracted to the sound of running water and enjoy devices that create a spray or mist. See the introduction to this table, and Table 1: Native Plants and Table 2: Non-Native Plants for garden plants that will attract hummingbirds. The Naturescape Provincial Guide provides further information on how to attract hummingbirds to your property.

Rufous All Open forests and Nesting habitat includes The most agile and aggressive of Hummingbird SB, NB Common forest edges, cleared coniferous and deciduous forests, our hummingbirds Selasphorus rufus BP, TP and settled areas, riparian thickets, wetlands, Will come to hummingbird Uncommon meadows; To alpine farmland; most nests are situated feeders elevations in coniferous trees, with some in Also eats insects and is attracted deciduous trees and shrubs to sap

JAYS AND MAGPIES Gray Jay All Boreal and subalpine Often associated with white Uses backyard feeders and suet Perisoreus canadensis Common coniferous and spruce (Picea glauca) and black Frequently scrounges handouts mixedwood forests, spruce (Picea mariana); from hikers and skiers riparian shrub Often breeds at edges of high Also known as Whisky Jack and habitat elevation spruce forests; nests in Camp Robber coniferous trees at edges of forests, wetlands

Blue Jay BP, SB, TP Low elevation Breeds in open deciduous or Recently established in the Cyanocitta cristata Uncommon mixedwood forest, mixedwood forests province; now breeds in the aspen poplar Peace River lowlands; often (Populus tremuloides) overwinters in farmyards, parks, groves; riparian city yards areas

Common Raven All Coniferous, Mature coniferous trees, Has become more common in Corvus corvax Common mixedwood, and especially snags, are used for northern B.C. in recent years as deciduous forests, roosting human habitation has expanded. grasslands, Mature forest preferred for In the north carrion from wolf kills mountains breeding habitat is a major natural food source for Frequently nests in living trees or ravens in winter, garbage dumps on cliff ledges are also heavily used; Birds may patrol highways for road kills

Black-billed Magpie All Often occurs in Thickets and riparian areas for Becoming increasingly common in Pica pica BP Common settled areas; also in roosting; open areas for foraging; the Boreal Plains SB, NB, TP wet meadows, breeds in lowland and subalpine Abandoned magpie nests may be Uncommon riparian thickets, areas; often nests in deciduous used by merlins, kestrels and long- open forests and trees or shrubs eared owls forest edges, lakeshores

KINGFISHERS Belted Kingfisher All Riparian habitats Cutbanks near foraging areas for Catches small fish by diving from Ceryle alcyon Uncommon nests a hovering position in the air or Shrubs, trees and snags for from perches near water roosting Excavates burrows in sand or clay banks near water

PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION • Naturescape British Columbia 6 7 Ta ble 5: Birds of the Nort h e r n Reg i o n

Name Distribution and Breeding Habitat and Common, Scientific Abundance General Habitat Key Habitat Components Comments

KINGLETS Ruby-crowned All Coniferous and Uses black spruce (Picea mariana) Often seen in farmyards or Kinglet SB Common mixedwood forests bogs during the breeding season gardens during migration, Regulus calendula BP, NB, TP Often occurs near Nests in old growth and older occupying aspen poplar (Populus Uncommon muskegs, lakes, second growth forests, usually in tremuloides) or birch (Betula spp.) ponds, and in alpine coniferous trees trees meadows Kinglets will eat insects found on conifer cones and are attracted to insects found on willow (Salix spp.) catkins

LARKS

Horned Lark All Open grasslands, Nesting habitats include sparsely Eats insects Eremophila alpestris SB, BP, TP tundra vegetated rocky areas, alpine Uses dirt roads for roosting and Uncommon To alpine elevations tundra; dust bathing NB Common Nests on ground, usually by a clump of grass Perches, sings on rocks

LOONS

Common Loon All Lakes and rivers Breeds on fish-bearing lakes in May return to the same lakes for Gavia immer Common forested and open areas, and many years sometimes on marshes, sloughs and rivers; most nests are on shorelines of water bodies; uses emergent and aquatic plants for nesting materials

NIGHTHAWKS

Common All Open forests Breeds in logged areas, farmland, Feeds in the air on flying insects; Nighthawk Uncommon Roosts in open pastures, By thrusting his wings forward at Chordeiles minor habitats such as Nests on bare ground, often on the end of dives, the male makes logged areas, river gravel bars, or in forest leaf a loud vroom noise during farmland, rock litter; courtship aerial displays outcrops Prefers short, sparse vegetation cover for nesting

EAGLES, HAWKS AND FALCONS

Bald Eagle All Usually associated Breeds in forests (usually Eats fish and small mammals Haliaeetus Uncommon with lakes, rivers, coniferous) near water bodies May scavenge at garbage dumps leucocephalus sloughs and marshes Nests in mature coniferous and or on carrion deciduous trees or snags Needs large trees or snags to support its huge branch nest

Red-tailed Hawk All Open to semi-open Breeding habitat includes edges Eats small animals and birds Buteo jamaicensis Common habitats such as of forests, agricultural areas, river woodlands, bottomlands; Nests in mature grasslands, fields, coniferous and deciduous trees marshes To alpine elevations

Northern Goshawk All Open to dense Usually breeds in dense, mature Widely distributed in the province Accipiter gentilis Uncommon mixedwood forests coniferous forest, but most abundant in the Hunts along creeks, Mixedwood and deciduous forest northern interior rivers, lakeshores are also used May visit farmlands, parks, Most nests are near water cemeteries, airports If conditions are favourable in the north, may overwinter; otherwise migrates south

6 8 Naturescape British Columbia • PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION Ta ble 5: Birds of the Nort h e r n Region

Name Distribution and Breeding Habitat and Common, Scientific Abundance General Habitat Key Habitat Components Comments

EAGLES, HAWKS AND FALCONS American Kestrel All Open country and Breeds in semi-open to open Eats insects and small animals Falco sparverius Common clearings with country Will use nest boxes with a 7 cm nearby perching Nests in tree cavities, on poles, in opening sites; grassland, cliffs agricultural and riparian areas, meadows, marshlands

Northern Harrier All Marshes, fields, Nests usually in cattail (Typha Formerly called Marsh Hawk Circus cyaneus Common grasslands, alpine latifolia) or bulrush (Scirpus spp.) meadows marshes; also nests in emergent vegetation of lakes, ponds Occasionally nests in fields with shrubs

OWLS Most owls do not build their own nests, so retaining snags and large trees, or providing nest boxes or platforms in appropriate habitats may encourage owls to nest on larger properties.

Great Gray Owl BP, SB, TP Prefers edges of Breeds in coniferous, deciduous Eats small mammals Strix nebulosa Uncommon coniferous and and mixedwoods, Nests in Will use nest platforms mixedwood forests mature trees, usually near water More information is needed on for hunting; also the range and habits observed in pastures and near wetlands

Great Horned Owl All Wooded areas, river Breeds in forests, Eats small mammals and birds Bubo virginianus Uncommon valleys, lakeshores, Usually nests in forests near Will use nest platforms settled areas water, often in abandoned nests of other species such as crows or hawks

Northern Hawk All Open coniferous Nests in trees in open coniferous Most common in B.C. north of Owl Uncommon and mixedwood and mixedwood forests 560 N latitude Surnia ulula forests, forest edges and clearings, wetlands

PIPITS

American Pipit All Fields, pastures, Occurs in alpine meadows, Very common migrant in B.C. Anthus rubescens BP, SB, NB mountains boulder fields, scree, stream Common edges, cliff ledges during breeding; TP Uncommon usually nests on well-vegetated alpine slopes

SHOREBIRDS

Killdeer All Grasslands, pastures, Breeds and nests in open spaces Forages in agricultural fields and Charadrius vociferus BP, TP farmland, wetlands, with sparse vegetation; wetlands for insects Common lakeshores, river Usually nests on gravelly or bare SB, NB banks, alpine ground Uncommon meadows

PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION • Naturescape British Columbia 6 9 Ta ble 5: Birds of the Nort h e r n Reg i o n

Name Distribution and Breeding Habitat and Common, Scientific Abundance General Habitat Key Habitat Components Comments

SHOREBIRDS Least Sandpiper All Lakeshores, sloughs, Breeding habitat similar to non- Calidris minutilla Common to river banks, bogs breeding habitat; Often nests in Uncommon sedges (Carex spp.), and Sphagnum moss, near water

Spotted Sandpiper All Shores, riparian Breeds near fresh water, usually Eats insects along shorelines Actitis macularia Common habitats, floodplains in open or semi-open areas with sparse tree and shrub cover; nests on the ground near edges of open areas, also on gravel bars

Greater Yellowlegs All Edges of shallow Breeds in open forests near Usually occurs singly or in small Tringa melanoleuca Common sloughs and ponds, wetlands flocks exposed mudflats, Nests usually in depressions on There are no records of breeding sedge (Carex spp.) the ground north of 55˚ N latitude in B.C. meadows, flooded fields, stream edges, ponds, muskeg, bogs

Common Snipe All Bogs, fens, marshes, Breeding habitat is meadows, fens Eats insects, worms, amphibians, Gallinago gallinago Uncommon riverbanks, and bogs, willow (Salix spp.) or seeds lakeshores, wet alder (Alnus spp.) thickets fields; late in the Mainly nests in grasses and sedges year cattail (Typha (Carex spp.) latifolia) and bulrush (Scirpus spp.) marshes are used

SPARROWS AND JUNCOS Many species of sparrows are attracted to backyard feeders, especially those with millet. Most sparrows are ground feeders, and are therefore often seen cleaning up seeds that have fallen from feeders.

Dark-eyed Junco All Forest and field Breeding habitat is often similar The most abundant and Junco hyemalis Common edges, shrubby to non-breeding habitat but this widespread sparrow in B.C. areas, meadows, junco also frequently nests in Occurs in the north from spring gardens, riparian forests, logged or burned areas, to fall habitat, lakeshores, bogs and muskegs; The slate-colored group of dark- thickets Nests up to alpine elevations eyed juncos commonly breeds in From valley bottoms the northern boreal forest in B.C. to upper subalpine

American Tree All Clearings with low Typically nests near tree-line in Breeds in the far north Sparrow BP, NB Common shrubs and open shrubby meadows and wetlands Most spring and summer records Spizella arborea SB, TP Uncommon ground for foraging are from the northern third of during migration B.C. Will come to feeders

Chipping Sparrow All Open deciduous Breeds in shrubby habitats, often Forages on the ground for seeds Spizella passerina Common and coniferous associated with edges of and insects forests, and forest coniferous and deciduous edges, shrubland, woodlands, wetlands, farms; fields, muskeg, Nests mainly in trees and shrubs thickets, farms, gardens

7 0 Naturescape British Columbia • PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION Ta ble 5: Birds of the Nort h e r n Region

Name Distribution and Breeding Habitat and Common, Scientific Abundance General Habitat Key Habitat Components Comments

SPARROWS AND JUNCOS Savannah Sparrow All Open areas with Breeds and nests in grasslands, Because they feed extensively on Passerculus SB, BP, NB weeds, and/or shrubby areas, fields, wetlands, farm fields during migration they sandwichensis Common grasses and sedges alpine meadows are highly susceptible to pesticide TP (Carex spp.); up to Nests on the ground, under poisoning Uncommon alpine elevations vegetation

Lincoln’s Sparrow All May occur in logged Prefers wet habitats with low, Susceptible to human disturbance Melospiza lincolnii Common areas, hedgerows, dense shrub, especially willow when nesting fields, forests, (Salix spp.) for breeding riparian areas Mainly nests on the ground or in shrubs

White-throated All Boreal spruce (Picea In northeastern B.C. breeds in Wintering birds in the Boreal Sparrow BP, TP spp.) and deciduous and mixedwood, often Plains are dependent on bird Zonotrichia albicollis Common mixedwood forests riparian, forests with a shrub feeders for survival SB, NB at low elevations, understorey, forest edge habitats Uncommon forest edges and around bogs, ponds openings, low Usually nests on the ground in or shrubs surrounding near forest clearings lakes and wetlands

White-crowned All Edge habitats such Breeding habitat requires grasses, Common in the Northern Boreal Sparrow Common as shrubby areas bare ground for foraging, and Mountains in summer Zonotrichia adjacent to more dense shrubs or small conifers for Will come to feeders leucophrys open sites, riparian roosting; zones, agricultural Nests in forests, shrubby and areas grassland areas, settled areas; Nests to alpine elevations

Golden-crowned All Ranges from valley Breeds and nests in mountainous Commonly visits bird feeders Sparrow SB, NB Common bottoms to alpine areas Zonotrichia atricapilla BP, TP elevations Nests in coniferous forests, Uncommon Prefers open shrubby spruce-willow-birch shrubby habitats (Picea spp.-Salix spp.-Betula spp.) often around plant communities; krummholz, wetlands, lakes and alpine tundra Also occurs in settled areas

Lapland Longspur All Grasslands, fields, Does not breed or nest in B.C. Forages along roadsides and Calcarius lapponicus BP, NB, TP settled areas therefore frequently killed by cars Common To alpine elevations SB Uncommon

Snow Bunting All Open, sparsely Breeds in rocky terrain in In B.C., breeds only in alpine areas Plectrophenax nivalis BP, NB, TP vegetated habitat mountainous areas and mainly of the Northern Boreal Mountains Common such as grasslands, summers above treeline SB fields, lakeshores, Uncommon settled areas To alpine elevations

PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION • Naturescape British Columbia 7 1 Ta b le 5: Birds of the Nort h e r n Reg i o n

Name Distribution and Breeding Habitat and Common, Scientific Abundance General Habitat Key Habitat Components Comments

SWALLOWS In spring, swallows forage for insects on ice-free ponds and lakes but in summer they mainly forage in open country such as grasslands, agricultural fields and wetlands.

Bank Swallow All Lakes, wetlands, Nests in colonies in banks and Forages over fields, marshes and Riparia riparis Common farms, riparian cliffs cliffs for insects habitats Potential nesting sites have been increased by road building

Barn Swallow All Rural and suburban Frequently nests in buildings in Will use nest platforms placed Hirundo rustica Common areas, clearings in settled areas, often in colonies; under eaves woodlands, Also nests on cliff faces, in caves, Barn swallows appear to be wetlands and and in tree cavities declining in the northern part of riparian habitats Nests are constructed mainly of their North American range and mud in many other parts of the world Nestlings are subject to parasites

Cliff Swallow All Open valleys and Builds nests attached to farm May form large colonies Petrochelidon Common parkland near lakes, buildings, bridges, cliff faces and Nests must be protected from pyrrhonota ponds, marshes, banks rain or they will erode fields, farms Needs a mud source to construct Where nests are re-used, nests parasites are often a problem

Tree Swallow All Associated with Breeds in farmlands, pastures, Eats insects Tachycineta bicolor Common wetlands, lakes, wooded areas, wetlands, river Require unobstructed paths to riparian habitats, banks their nesting sites or boxes settled areas Nests in tree cavities in wooded Susceptible to parasites areas, on posts and in nest boxes

SWANS Trumpeter Swan All Sheltered, shallow Breeds in forested habitat Breeds mainly in the Peace Cygnus buccinator Uncommon water bodies such containing shallow lakes with lowlands and boreal forest regions as lakes, ponds, emergent vegetation; builds nests of B.C. slow-moving rivers in bulrushes (Scirpus spp.), sedges Conservation efforts have (Carex spp.), cattails (Typha resulted in increased trumpeter latifolia) and horsetails (Equisetum swan numbers in recent years spp.)

TANAGERS Western Tanager All Mature deciduous, Breeds at forest edges and Eats insects and berries Piranga ludoviciana SB, BP, TP mixedwood and transitional zones, often near Occasionally visits bird feeders Common coniferous forests, water; also in aspen poplar with a nearby water source NB wooded lakeshores, (Populus tremuloides) stands, Uncommon gardens rock bluffs, and shrubby grasslands; nests mainly in coniferous trees

THRUSHES Choke cherry (Prunus virginiana) provides food and cover. Thrushes also enjoy mountain-ash (Sorbus spp.), cotoneaster (Cotoneaster spp.), honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.) and elderberry (Sambucus spp.) berries, and currant and gooseberry (Ribes spp.) fruit in fall.

American Robin All Fields, open Breeds at edges of deciduous, Eats insects and berries Turdus migratorius Common woodland, forest coniferous and mixedwood Forms communal, nocturnal edge habitat, settled forests, riparian areas and in open roosts areas, lakeshores, subalpine habitats; frequently Will use nest platforms marsh edges nests in trees and shrubs in Often increases in numbers after To subalpine settled areas, thickets, often near logging and fires elevations water bodies

7 2 Naturescape British Columbia • PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION Ta ble 5: Birds of the Nort h e r n Region

Name Distribution and Breeding Habitat and Common, Scientific Abundance General Habitat Key Habitat Components Comments

THRUSHES Swainson’s Thrush All Deciduous and Mixedwood forest for breeding Eats insects and berries Catharus ustulatus Common mixedwood forests; and nesting; Nests in trees, snags More information is needed about black spruce- and shrubs the nesting requirements in tamarack (Picea northern B.C. mariana-Larix laricina) woods, riparian areas; often where there is a berry supply

Hermit Thrush All Low to subalpine Breeding and nesting habitat is Catharus guttatus Common elevation coniferous moist deciduous, coniferous and forests and mixedwood forests and muskegs, avalanche slopes with a dense shrub understorey; Nests in trees, snags and shrubs

VIREOS \

Warbling Vireo All In valleys where Open deciduous and mixedwood Probably breeds throughout the Vireo gilvus BP, SB patches of forests, especially near the edges; northern interior Common deciduous forest riparian habitats; Vireos will eat birch (Betula spp.) NB, TP occur Nests in open forests or at forest catkins in spring; Uncommon edges in deciduous trees or Eat insects attracted to mountain- shrubs ash (Sorbus spp.) flowers and willow (Salix spp.) catkins

WARBLERS Warblers are small, active, often brightly coloured birds, usually with highly melodious songs. They eat insects, such as those found on conifer cones, birch (Betula spp.) and willow (Salix spp.) catkins. They nest in trees (often poplars (Populus spp.) and dense shrubs.

Blackpoll Warbler All Riparian habitats, Breeds in boreal white spruce Breeds in northern B.C.; highest Dendroica striata BP, SB, TP lodgepole pine (Picea glauca) and black spruce numbers in summer are in the Uncommon (Pinus contorta) (Picea mariana) muskegs, moist Northern Boreal Mountains NB stands, mixedwood mixedwood forest edges Common forests, muskegs

American Redstart All Coniferous and Breeds in poplar (Populus spp.) Highest numbers in summer Setophaga ruticilla BP, SB deciduous forests, and mixedwood stands, often occur in the Sub-boreal Interior Common riparian zones, with an alder (Alnus spp.) or red- NB, TP gardens, shelterbelts osier dogwood (Cornus Uncommon stolonifera) understorey, riparian woodlands, willow (Salix spp.) thickets; often nests in floodplain and riparian forests in deciduous trees and shrubs such as willows (Salix spp.)

Orange-crowned All Riparian poplar Breeds in various forest types, Probably breeds in deciduous Warbler BP, SB, NB (Populus spp.) and usually with a shrub understorey, woods in north-central B.C. but Vermivora celata Common mixedwood forests, wetlands not confirmed TP edge habitat To subalpine elevations Uncommon between young and Mainly nests on the ground old forests, gardens, where adjacent shrubby parks vegetation, such as willows (Salix spp.) provides shelter

PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION • Naturescape British Columbia 7 3 Ta ble 5: Birds of the Nort h e r n Reg i o n

Name Distribution and Breeding Habitat and Common, Scientific Abundance General Habitat Key Habitat Components Comments

WARBLERS Wilson’s Warbler All Thickets, riparian Breeds in dense, low-growing Most abundant in summer in B.C. Wilsonia pusilla BP, SB, NB habitats, adjacent to vegetation such as willows (Salix in the Northern Boreal Mountains Common wetlands, spp.), often associated with B.C. has some of the highest TP mixedwood forests, mature aspen poplar (Populus densities of Wilson’s Warbler in Uncommon shrubland, muskeg tremuloides) stands North America edges, parks, Breeds to subalpine elevations gardens but mainly nests on or near the ground in deciduous forests

Yellow Warbler All Deciduous riparian Decidous forests, often with Abundant in summer in the Peace Dendroica petechia BP, SB woodlands, shrubby willow (Salix spp.), shrubby River lowlands Common avalanche chutes, riparian habitats, wetland margins, NB, TP gardens thickets Uncommon To subalpine Nests in shrubs or trees in elevations wooded habitats

Yellow-rumped All Open mixedwood Breeds mainly in open coniferous The most widespread and Warbler Common forests, forest edges, forests, but also in mixedwood abundant warbler in B.C. Dendroica coronata riparian habitats, and deciduous forests, riparian bogs, yards habitats and settled areas; nests in To subalpine coniferous trees elevations

Common All Usually inhabits Nests on or near the ground, Yellowthroat Common wetlands and mainly in wetlands with abundant Geothlypis trichas riparian areas emergent vegetation such as sedges (Carex spp.), reedgrass (Calamagrostis spp.), and cattails (Typha latifolia); and in willow (Salix spp.) communities; needs dense cover for foraging and nesting

WAXWINGS Waxwings especially enjoy mountain-ash (Sorbus spp.) and cotoneaster (Cotoneaster spp.) berries in fall. Shrubs such as choke cherry (Prunus virginiana) provide both cover and food.

Bohemian Waxwing All Coniferous, Breeds in coniferous and Eats insects and berries in the Bombycilla garrulus BP, SB, NB deciduous and mixedwood forests with access summer, fruit and berries in the Common mixedwood shrubby to berries and water winter; TP forests near water; Nests in coniferous trees and In B.C. most abundant in the Uncommon moves to lower small shrubs summer in the Northern Boreal elevations, often in Mountains; winters in the Peace settled areas, in fall River lowlands and winter to find fruits, buds and berries

Cedar Waxwing All Valley bottoms and Attracted to areas with berries Eats insects and fruits of red Bombycilla cedrorum BP, SB, TP lower mountain and small fruits; generally breeds elderberries (Sambucus racemosa), Common slopes, open forests, at lower elevations than soopolallie (Shepherdia NB settled areas with Bohemian Waxwings in edges of canadensis), saskatoons Uncommon shrubs, ponds, mixed woodlands near water; (Amelanchier alnifolia), red-osier riparian areas Nests in settled areas where dogwood (Cornus stolonifera); and water is available and there are blueberries, cranberries and abundant insects, fruit and huckleberries (Vaccinium spp.) berries, and in riparian areas and muskegs

7 4 Naturescape British Columbia • PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION Ta ble 5: Birds of the Nort h e r n Region

Name Distribution and Breeding Habitat and Common, Scientific Abundance General Habitat Key Habitat Components Comments

WOODPECKERS

Woodpeckers drill holes in trees to obtain wood-boring insects and so are important control agents for many forest insect pests. Woodpecker populations have been monitored in forest stands as a means of tracking potential insect pest outbreaks. They also excavate nesting and roosting cavities which are used later by a variety of other birds and small mammals. Woodpeckers are attracted to suet feeders.

Downy All Deciduous and Breeds in deciduous forests, Eats insects, berries and seeds Woodpecker BP, SB mixedwood forests, mixedwoods, riparian thickets, Will eat suet at feeders Picoides pubescens Common and edges of logged areas, settled areas; NB, TP coniferous forests; Frequently nests in cavities drilled Uncommon riparian thickets, in dead deciduous, especially settled areas poplar (Populus spp.) trees and snags

Hairy Woodpecker All Coniferous, Breeding habitat is similar to non- May come to suet feeders in Picoides villosus Uncommon deciduous and breeding habitat; Frequently nests winter mixedwoods, often in cavities drilled in dead poplar near openings; (Populus spp.) and in other residential areas deciduous and coniferous trees and snags

Northern Flicker All Deciduous and Breeds in deciduous and Will nest in bird boxes. Can be Colaptes auratus Uncommon mixedwood forests, coniferous trees. Frequently found feeding at suet feeders. and edges of nests in cavities or in silt or clay coniferous forests; cliffs riparian thickets, settled areas

INTRODUCED SPECIES

Starlings and House Sparrows were introduced to North America from Eurasia and are now very common here in settled areas. However in northern interior B.C. they are not nearly as widespread and abundant as further south. House Sparrows, in particular, tend to avoid woodlands and wilderness areas. Both are considered pest species by wildlife biologists and birders as they are aggressive, and often drive other native species away from nesting sites. House Sparrows will also occasionally kill eggs and young birds. Declines in populations of some native cavity-nesting species have been attributed to competition with these nuisance species. They can be discouraged from using nest boxes by using boxes with specific entrance hole shapes (see the Naturescape Provincial Guide).

Bohemian Waxwing

PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION • Naturescape British Columbia 7 5 Ta b le 6: Mammals of the Nort h e r n Reg i o n

TABLE 6: M A M M A L S HOW TO USE THIS TABLE: M a ny mammals lead secretive or mainly nocturnal live s , and so O n ly the most well known or most common mammal species are often not encountered.The more well known mammals in the Central Interior are listed. are those that are larg e , such as bears , d e e r, and moose, or are d i u r nal such as chipmunks and squirr e l s . Some species are DISTRIBUTION: u n wel come around homes and gardens. (See the section lists the ecosections where the species is fo u n d , “ A l l ” s i g n i fi e s “When you don’t want to share your living space with wildlife ” that the species is widely distri but ed in the Central Interi o r. under “ Putting it all together in Your Ya r d ” for suggestions on Please refer to the Ecosection map and tabl e . h ow to live in harm o ny with these species.) Similarly, N a g o r s e n HOW TO ATTRACT: and Bri g h a m , 1 9 9 5 . (See the references in the Resource Booklet) provide tips on how to discourage bats from roosting G e n e ral Habitat: in occupied bu i l d i n g s . lists the general habitat types where the species is fo u n d . W h e r e ver possibl e , these habitat types have been made The fo l l owing table includes the more common and/or we l l consistent with those in the plant tables for ease of cross- k n own mammal species of nort h e r n , non-coastal B. C . r e fe r e n c i n g . Compare the type(s) of habitat on your propert y, D i s t r i but ion refe r s to the four ecoprov i n c e s : or the types you wish to create, with those used by individual B P Boreal Plains species to determine what types of mammals you may expect S B Sub-boreal Interi o r to attract to your propert y. N B N o r t h e r n Boreal Mountains Key Habitat Components: T P Taiga Plains are specific habitat features within the general habitat types A bundance refe rs to the species abundance in nort h e r n B. C . . that are important to the species’ s u r v i v a l . These can include G e n e r al habitat lists the general habitat types where the features such as coarse woody debris or tree cavities that species occurs . Compare the types of habitat on yo u r p r ovide protective cover from predators or from the p r o p e r t y, or the types you wish to create with those used by e l e m e n t s . You will have a greater chance of attracting cert a i n individual species to determine what types of mammals yo u mammals to your property if you retain or provide these m ay expect to attra c t . Key habitat components are specifi c types of features within the general habitat types. F o r habitat features within the general habitat types that are e x a m p l e , you may have the appropriate forest habitat fo r i m p o r tant to the species’ s u r v i v a l . fi s h e r s or mart e n , but without snags or coarse woody debri s for den sites, these species are unlike ly to be present.

Stone’s Sheep

7 6 Naturescape British Columbia • PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION Ta b le 6: Mammals of the Nort h e r n Region

Name Distribution and Common, Scientific Abundance (If Known) General Habitat Key Habitat Components Comments

SHREWS Common Shrew, All Coniferous and Logs, rock piles for denning; fallen Mainly eats insects but also slugs, Masked Shrew; Common deciduous forests, foliage and forest debris for snails, young mice, fungi, carrion Cinereus Shrew open meadows, shelter and seeds Sorex cinereus bogs, willow-birch May be an important predator on (Salix spp.-Betula forest insect pests spp.) thickets, Shrews are largely nocturnal and riparian habitats therefore not readily seen

Dusky Shrew, All Moist alpine Decayed logs for dens Eats insects, slugs, spiders, snails, Montane Shrew Common meadows, sedge carrion , fungi, lichens and plants Sorex monticolus (Carex spp.) and Often the dominant shrew willow (Salix spp.) species at high elevations in the wetlands, moist north coniferous forest, near bogs; burned or logged forests

Common Water All Near streams Well-vegetated banks, sphagnum Eats mainly aquatic insects; may Shrew; Navigator Common (especially those moss shorelines, wood debris of also eat terrestrial invertebrates Shrew with rapids and beaver lodges and hollow logs for such as slugs and snails, and small Sorex palustris riffles), wetlands and denning fish; lakeshores; alpine Small hairs on the back feet act as tundra, low flippers to aid in swimming; elevation forests Provides food for weasels, mink, otter and large fish

Pygmy shrew All Woodlands, Coarse woody debris, leaf piles; The smallest mammal in B.C. Sorex hoyi Uncommon sphagnum bogs, rock piles for denning Eats mainly larvae and adult grassland, shrubland, insects wetlands, rocky slopes

Arctic Shrew; BP, TP Moist boreal forest Coarse woody debris, leaf piles, Eats insects, slugs, snails and Saddle-backed Probably and forest edges, rock piles for denning carrion Shrew; Black-backed Uncommon bogs, open areas, Is a major predator of the larch Shrew ephemeral sloughs sawfly, a forest insect pest Sorex arcticus and streamside habitats

BATS

Many people fear bats because they think that bats will attack them and cause rabies. This fear is largely unfounded as bats are not aggressive, try to avoid contact with humans, and are not abnormally prone to rabies. In the U.S., only 25 people in the last 50 years have contracted this disease from bats. However, bats should not be handled or approached, as any bat which allows you to approach is likely ill. If a bat flies into your house, open doors and windows and it will find its way out using echolocation. Bats can be prevented from forming colonies in attics by sealing potential entrances with screens, a much more environmentally friendly alternative to chemicals. Bats are useful allies in the battle against insect pests, with some species such as the little brown bat, consuming half of their weight in insects in one night. B.C. has the greatest diversity of bat species in Canada, but half of the province’s 16 bat species are provincially rare as a result of direct extermination, disturbance to roosting sites, pesticides and loss of habitat. In B.C., forestry has the greatest impact on bat habitat, through the the loss of old growth forests and destruction of roosting sites. We should develop a tolerance for these mysterious (and helpful) night creatures and preserve those bat habitats that we can. To attract bats to your yard, you may wish to build or buy a bat box. For further details see the Naturescape Provincial Guide.

Northern Long- BP Boreal forests near Old growth trees for roosting; Eats insects, including moths, flies, eared Myotis; Rare water caves for hibernation; tree leaflhoppers and beetles Northern Bat; cavities for nurseries Northern Myotis Myotis septentrionalis

PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION • Naturescape British Columbia 7 7 Ta b le 6: Mammals of the Nort h e r n Reg i o n

Name Distribution and Common, Scientific Abundance (If Known) General Habitat Key Habitat Components Comments

BATS Big Brown Bat BP, SB Forests, farmlands, Buildings, caves for hibernating; Often roosts in large colonies; Eptesicus fuscus Uncommon cities rock crevices and tree cavities forages over water, forests, along (roosting and nurseries) roads & under street lamps Eats insects, especially beetles Very helpful in controlling agricultural insect pests

Silver-haired Bat BP, SB Forests, grasslands, Trees, especially old growth, for Roosts alone or in small numbers Lasionycteris Uncommon farmlands roosting and hibernation; under bark, in crevices, and tree noctivagans Females form small nursery cavities colonies in tree cavities, narrow Eats mainly small insects such as crevices and old buildings moths, flies, butterflies and ants

Little Brown Bat; All Occupies a wide Buildings, caves, rock crevices, Hunts over open areas, forests, Little Brown Myotis Common range of habitats but and trees (roosting) rock bluffs and water Myotis lucifugus usually near water Aquatic insects are the major prey but night-flying insects such as moths, and beetles are also eaten Has different night and day roosts

HARES AND PIKAS

Snowshoe Hare All Boreal coniferous Brush/shrubs, coarse woody In summer, eats grasses, forbs, and Lepus americanus Common forests and debris, tree stumps (cover) new leaves of shrubs and tree mountain forests saplings Eats buds, bark, twigs and evergreen leaves of shrubs and tree saplings in winter Its large feet, which enable it to easily cross soft snow, give this hare its common name

Collared Pika NB High elevation talus Rock piles for cover and denning Eats a wide variety of grasses, Ochotona collaris slopes with sedges and forbs which are abundant grasses stacked in “haystacks” for winter and forbs nearby food

Common Pika; SB Cliffs, rocky talus Rock piles (cover) Uses prominent rocks as lookout American Pika slopes; posts Ochontona princeps occasionally lives in Eats grasses, sedges, forbs, and woody avalanche new shoots of shrubs debris Stores haystacks of vegetation among rocks

RODENTS: MICE AND VOLES

Western Jumping All Variable; tall grass, Tall grass & shrubs Eats berries, plants, insects and Mouse often near streams, other invertebrates in spring and Zapus princeps in treed or shrubby summer; in fall and winter grass areas seeds, fungi and fruits of plants are often used

Meadow Jumping All Moist fields are shrubs & marshes Eats insects, grass and forb seeds, Mouse preferred, but also fungi Zapus hudsonius shrublands, marshes, or woods

7 8 Naturescape British Columbia • PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION Ta b le 6: Mammals of the Nort h e r n Region

Name Distribution and Common, Scientific Abundance (If Known) General Habitat Key Habitat Components Comments

RODENTS: MICE AND VOLES Deer Mouse All Grassland, Coarse woody debris, rock piles, Eats seeds, fruits, shrub and tree Peromyscus Common shrubland, forests, tree cavities, stumps (cover) buds, fungi, eggs, and insects maniculatus tundra; human Caches food under rocks, habitation exposed tree roots, and tree cavities CAUTION: Is a vector for hantavirus, therefore use precautions when cleaning up old buildings, droppings etc.

Long-tailed Vole All Wet meadows in Rocky areas and woody debris Eats plants and berries in summer; Microtus longicaudus grasslands and alpine for dens bark of heaths, willows and trees sites; mountains, in winter coniferous forests; Voles look like mice but have near water shorter ears and tails

Meadow Vole All Grassy areas in The most widespread vole in Microtus marshes, open North America pennsylvanicus woodlands, forests, Eats sedges, grasses and some mountain meadows forbs in summer; seeds, bark, underground plant parts and insects in winter

Eastern Heather BP, NB, TP Prefers open Rock piles and woody debris for A boreal forest species Vole coniferous forest or nurseries Eats foliage of shrubs and forbs in Phenacomys ungava shrubby areas at summer, mainly bark and buds in forest edges, winter birch (Betula spp.) The closely related western and willow (Salix Heather Vole, which also occurs spp.) thickets in northern B.C., has a more southerly distribution

Southern Red- All Moist coniferous Logs, rock crevices for summer Eats grasses, berries, lichens, seeds backed Vole forests, bogs, near denning and fungi Clethrionomys swamps; gapperi occasionally aspen (Populus tremuloides) forests

Northern Red- NB Birch (Betula spp.), Rock piles, hollow logs for dens An important food for raptors backed Vole willow (Salix spp.) and carnivores Clethrionomys rutilus and alder (Alnus Eats berries, leaves, buds and spp.) thickets of the twigs northern boreal forest

Brown Lemming SB, NB Alpine tundra and Eats grasses, sedges Lemmus meadows, bogs, trimucronatus spruce forests

Northern Bog All Sphagnum bogs, Eats grasses, sedges Lemming spruce forests, Synaptomys borealis subalpine meadows, tundra sedge meadows

PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION • Naturescape British Columbia 7 9 Ta b le 6: Mammals of the Nort h e r n Reg i o n

Name Distribution and Common, Scientific Abundance (If Known) General Habitat Key Habitat Components Comments

CHIPMUNKS AND SQUIRRELS Least Chipmunk All Shrubby and rocky Some least chipmunks use trees Eats conifer seeds, nuts, berries Tamias minimus areas in mountain for nesting and insects; and occasionally eggs, and boreal forests baby birds, mice and carrion

Northern Flying All Coniferous Tree cavities (cover and nesting) May build large twig and bark Squirrel Common mountain forests; nests on tree branches; will use Glaucomys sabrinus occasionally in large nest boxes; mixed or deciduous Eats seeds, buds, male cones of forests conifers, lichens, berries, foliage, fungi, insects, bird eggs and nestlings Nocturnal and will use bird feeders at night

Red Squirrel All Coniferous and Tree cavities and underground Preferred food is conifer seeds Tamiasciurus Common mixed forests; cities burrows for cover and nesting; but also eats mushrooms, fruits hudsonicus with older trees rock piles for cover insects, baby birds, hares; Frequently uses bird feeders May build huge food caches for winter Builds large, leafy nests on tree branches or may use large nest boxes

OTHER RODENTS

Arctic Ground NB Tundra and alpine Hibernates for more than 6 Squirrel habitats; sandy months of the year Spermophilus parryii banks, lakeshores, Forms colonies with a single male meadows and many females Eats grasses, berries, inner bark, roots, willows and fungi, but also will take eggs, baby birds and carrion

Bushy-tailed All Cliffs, talus slopes, Buildings, caves, rocky areas, tree Woodrat forests, caves, rocky cavities (nesting) (Packrat) or shrubby areas Builds bulky nests of sticks, foliage Neotoma cinerea and human belongings Eats foliage, seeds, forbs, berries, underground plant parts, fungi and insects

Hoary Marmot NB Rocky subalpine and Rocky areas Hibernates for 8-9 months Marmota caligata alpine areas near Eats grasses, sedges and other vegetation plants

Beaver All Rivers, streams, Shrubs and trees (cover, food) Eats bark and inner bark Castor canadensis Common wetlands (cambium) of poplars (Populus spp.), willows (Salix spp.), alders (Alnus spp.) and birches (Betula spp.) Builds dams & lodges from shrubs and trees growing near water bodies Beaver ponds are important sites for water storage and soil erosion control, and create wetland habitat for wildlife`

8 0 Naturescape British Columbia • PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION Ta b le 6: Mammals of the Nort h e r n Region

Name Distribution and Common, Scientific Abundance (If Known) General Habitat Key Habitat Components Comments

OTHER RODENTS Woodchuck; All Forests, meadows, Eats grass, leaves, seeds, berries, Groundhog cultivated land and occasionally bark and carrion; Marmota monax loves garden vegetables

Muskrat All Rivers, streams, Emergent vegetation (cover, Builds houses in shallow water or Ondatra zibethicus Common wetlands food) cattail-bulrush (Typha latifolia- Scirpus spp.) stands, or may burrow into banks along the shoreline Eats emergent vegetation, amphibians and fish

Porcupine All Forests, pastureland, Coarse woody debris, tree Eats leaves in summer; bark, buds Erethizon dorsatum Common tundra cavities, and stumps (denning) and twigs in winter Mostly nocturnal

CARNIVORES WEASEL-LIKE CARNIVORES

Fisher All Dense older, usually Coarse woody debris; rock Prime habitat is forest/meadow Martes pennanti coniferous forest crevices (denning) edges or forest riparian edges; May den in holes in the ground or under the snow, in squirrel or raptor nests Feeds mainly on snowshoe hares, squirrels, voles, grouse and porcupines but may also eat berries, nuts and carrion

Marten; American All Mature coniferous Coarse woody debris (denning) Feeds primarily on voles and mice, Marten; Pine Marten or mixed forests but may also eat squirrels, hares, Martes americana birds, eggs, plants, insects and carrion

Mink All Forest edges, Tree stumps, underground Dens in riparian areas; Mustela vison rivers, streams, burrows (denning) occasionally digs its own burrow wetlands but usually uses abandoned muskrat or beaver burrows or dens Eats small mammals, fish and amphibians and can dive to depths of several metres in search of prey

Northern River All Rivers, streams, Coarse woody debris, tree Uses muskrat and beaver burrows Otter Wetlands in stumps (denning) for denning Lontra canadensis wooded areas Eats mainly fish, insects and amphibians; but may take small mammals Captures most food underwater Often makes slides down grassy, muddy or snowy banks

Least Weasel All Open grassy areas, Coarse woody debris, rock piles, Eats mainly voles, mice and Mustela nivalis forest edges and tree stumps, insects, but may take amphibians, tundra Underground burrows (denning) birds and eggs

PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION • Naturescape British Columbia 8 1 Ta b le 6: Mammals of the Nort h e r n Reg i o n

Name Distribution and Common, Scientific Abundance (If Known) General Habitat Key Habitat Components Comments

CARNIVORES WEASEL-LIKE CARNIVORES Short-tailed Weasel All Coniferous forests, Coarse woody debris, rock piles, Most common B.C. weasel Mustela erminea forest edges, tree stumps, Often takes over other mammal’s meadows, riparian Underground burrows (denning) burrows habitats, alpine Eats mainly small mammals but tundra also birds, insects, amphibians and plant material

LARGE CARNIVORES Large, potentially dangerous predators have been included in this table as it is hoped that owners of large properties may be able to provide or maintain habitat, particularly key habitat components, for these often uncommon or even endangered species.

Black Bear All Forests, swamps, Caves, hollow trees, tree stumps Eats plant materials such as fruits, Ursus americanus Common shrubby thickets (denning) roots, grasses and sedges, insects, carrion and mammals CAUTION: To lessen the potential for bear encounters, clean up food sources that could be attractive and store garbage properly.

Grizzly Bear All Forests, mountains, Caves, tree roots Eats plants, especially fruits and Ursus arctos alpine tundra roots; mammals, fish and insects

Lynx All Northern coniferous Areas with fallen trees and dense Lynx numbers fluctuate in Lynx canadensis forests thickets for cover and ambush of response to fluctuations in prey; fallen logs, rocky areas or snowshoe hare numbers caves for denning They also eat squirrels, grouse and rodents

Cougar; Mountain All Forests, rocky slopes Brush, shrubs; Occupies coniferous forests and Lion; Puma in low elevation to Coarse woody debris, rock mountainous terrain Puma concolor subalpine areas of crevices, rock piles, caves Feeds mainly on large ungulates the mountains (denning) such as deer and bighorn sheep, but also eats other large mammals, porcupine, beaver, hares, mice and birds

Wolverine All Remote wilderness Den sites In summer wolverines eat ground Gulo gulo is preferred, often in squirrels and other small foothills or mammals, fish, birds and mountains; in occasionally berries; in winter they summer it may live on carrion frequent alpine tundra

Coyote All Forests, grasslands Bush, shrubs; Most common in open grasslands Canis latrans Coarse woody debris, rock piles and forests (denning) Feeds mainly on small mammals, but also eats large mammals, birds, insects, vegetation and carrion CAUTION: Cats and dogs should not be allowed to roam in coyote country as they are readily taken as food

8 2 Naturescape British Columbia • PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION Ta b le 6: Mammals of the Nort h e r n Region

Name Distribution and Common, Scientific Abundance (If Known) General Habitat Key Habitat Components Comments

LARGE CARNIVORES Red Fox All Open forests and Gravelly or sandy soils (denning) Prefers semi-open country, avoids Vulpes vulpes forest edges, dense forests grasslands, wetlands; Digs dens along lakeshores or open areas streambanks, in grasslands or interspersed with along forest edges shrubs for cover; May use abandoned dens of other adaptable to human animals habitation Eats small mammals, birds, insects and berries

Gray Wolf All Most common in Caves, coarse woody debris, rock Wolf packs occupy large Canis lupus dense forests, also in piles, tree stumps (denning) territories, sometimes over 700 tundra km2 Most common in wilderness forests and tundra habitats Eats mainly large ungulates such as deer, moose and caribou but also eats small mammals, birds, fish and insects

OTHER CARNIVORES

Striped Skunk All Open forests and Coarse woody debris, rock piles, Will nest in underground burrows Mephitis mephitis forest edges, riparian underground burrows (denning) or under buildings habitats, shrubby Eats mainly insects, small grasslands and mammals and plant material but valleys; will also take baby birds, eggs, Adapted to human amphibians, reptiles, and carrion habitation

UNGULATES

Mule Deer All Grassland, Forests & grassland Spring and summer foods are Odocoileus hemionus shrubland, open mainly grasses and forbs; winter forests, riparian diet consists of lichens, shrubs and habitats branches To alpine elevations

White-tailed Deer BP, TP Valleys, woodlands, Mix of woodlands and open Adaptable to human habitation Odocoileus virginianus riparian habitats, areas therefore more common now meadows, settled than in pre-settlement times farmland with cover Eats forbs and grasses mainly in spring and summer; leaves and twigs of trees and shrubs in winter

PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION • Naturescape British Columbia 8 3 Ta b le 6: Mammals of the Nort h e r n Reg i o n

Name Distribution and Common, Scientific Abundance (If Known) General Habitat Key Habitat Components Comments

UNGULATES Dall’s Sheep SB, NB Occurs on alpine Steep rocky cliffs for escape Dall’s Sheep are similar to Bighorn Ovis dallii slopes in summer and terrain; Sheep but have thinner horns; descends to drier, Mineral licks There are 2 subspecies of Dall’s predominantly south- Sheep – one which has a mainly facing slopes in winter white coat (ssp. dallii) and occurs in the extreme northwestern corner of the province and the more southern Stone Sheep (ssp. stonei), which has a dark brown to grayish coat Eats broad-leaved herbs in spring and summer; grasses, seeds and branch tips of willows (Salix spp.), pasture sage (Artemisia frigida), crowberry (Empetrum nigrum), and mountain avens (Dryas spp.) in winter

Wapiti; Elk All Prefers upland forest Wapiti tend to move to higher Cervus elaphus and grasslands; may elevations in spring and lower occur in coniferous elevations in fall; forests, alpine tundra, Eat sedges and grasses in spring and shrublands, summer; may eat fallen leaves and browse on woody plants in winter Salt is a requirement

Mountain Goat SB, NB Steep slopes and Steep slopes and rocky cliffs for Diet is variable depending on what Oreamnos rocky cliffs in escape terrain; is available – shrubs, mosses, americanus subalpine or alpine Salt source during early summer lichens, forbs, grasses, sedges and areas; dense low moult rushes elevation or subalpine Winter and summer feeding areas forests for travel; are usually separate Alpine meadows Goats bed down in shallow depressions scraped out of cliff base debris

Moose All Coniferous forest, Eats aquatic vegetation in summer Alces alces Common early successional and browses on shrubs and trees; willow (Salix spp.) and in winter moose eat twigs, buds, poplar (Populus spp.) and bark of deciduous trees wetlands, riparian habitats, moist shrubland To alpine elevations

Caribou All Forests, alpine Old growth and mature forests Do best in wilderness areas that Rangifer tarandus meadows with abundant lichens allow for seasonal migration Spend summers at high elevations to avoid heat and insects, winters at lower elevations Eat grasses, sedges, mosses, forbs and lichens in summer; buds, leaves, shrub bark and lichens in winter Caribou have been declining in the north and the remaining isolated herds are vulnerable to overhunting, habitat loss and predation Removal of mature forests has resulted in loss of some local caribou populations

8 4 Naturescape British Columbia • PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION G l o s s a r y

G L O S S A RY I n f l o re s c e n c e : The arrangement of flowe r s on a s t e m . A l p i n e : The alpine zone in the mountains lies a b ove treeline (the limit of continuous tree cove r ) , Krummholz (krüppelholz): Scattered clumps where tree growth is restricted to occasional of stunted, bu s hy trees and shrubs near treeline in k r ummholz (krüppelholz) islands. upper subalpine and alpine zones of the m o u n t a i n s . B og s : Acidic wetland area, also called peatland, with a high water tabl e ; often low in oxygen and M i xe d wo o d : Forest composed of both broad- nu t r i e n t s . Bogs are often populated by Sphagnu m l e aved deciduous and coniferous trees. m o s s e s , sedges and black spru c e . M u s ke g : Po o r ly dra i n e d , wooded peatland B o real Fo re s t : The circumpolar, subarctic fo r e s t c h a r a c t e r i zed by black spruce and Sphagnum moss. of high nort h e r n latitudes that is dominated by Riparian Habitat: R e fe r s to the greenbelt of c o n i fe r s . It is bordered on the north by the vegetation surrounding we t l a n d s , ri ve r s and t u n d r a . s t r e a m s . These areas are wet enough to deve l o p Coarse Woody Debris: R e fe r s to fallen trees, and support vegetation distinct from that of the rotting logs, and broken tree branches and twigs s u r rounding uplands. that are lying on the ground. S n ag s : Standing dead trees. C o n t i g u o u s : A d j a c e n t , c l o s e ; r e fe r s here to S u b a l p i n e : The vegetation zone in the mountains dense forest growth as opposed to scattered b e l ow the alpine. As elevation increases, fo r e s t s clumps of trees above treeline. tend to become more open until tree growth is E m e r ge n t : E m e r gent vegetation refe r s to plants r e s t r icted to kru m m h o l z . that are rooted in the bottom of ponds, l a kes or S u c c e s s i o n a l : The sequential change in plant m a r s h e s , but whose stalks and flower heads grow c o m mun ity composition in response to changing up above the water surface. Examples of e nvironmental conditions. e m e r gent plants include cattails, bu l r ushes and some ru s h e s , and sedges. Ta i g a : Another term often used to refer to the Boreal Forest. Some authorities use the term taiga E d ge : R e fe r s to the transition zone between two to mean the open, p a r k - l i ke nort h e r n fringes of distinct vegetation types, such as forest and the boreal forest where there are spars e c l e a r ing or mature forest and early successional c o n i fer ous trees with an understorey of lichens. fo r e s t . Edge habitats frequently provide ve r y p r o d u c t i ve areas for wildlife. Tre e l i n e : The limit of continuous tree cover in the mountains. A b ove treeline, trees may occur in Fe n s : Wetland area fed by streams and s c a t t e r e d , small clumps. g r o u n d w a t e r ; less acidic and usually higher in nu t r ients than bogs. Often populated with sedges, Tu n d r a : A treeless plain of A r c t i c , Antarctic and g r a s s e s , w i l l ows and tamara c k . alpine areas. In nort h e r n B. C . the alpine tundra is often chara c t e r i zed by low - g r owing plants resistant Fo r b : A non-grassy herbaceous plant. to exposure and desiccation, such as sedges, H e a t h : An area dominated by dwarf shrubs in g r a s s e s , dwarf willows and lichens, with heaths and the heather (Ericaceae) family. w i l l ow / s c r ub birch plant communities in snow i e r and moister areas.

PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION • Naturescape British Columbia 8 5 R e fe r e n c e s

REFERENCES C a m p b e l l , R . Way n e , Neil Dawe, Ian McTa g g a r t - A c o r n , John & Ian Sheldon. 2 0 0 0 . Bugs of A l b e r t a . C ow a n , John Cooper, G a r y Kaiser and Michael Lone Pine Publ i s h i n g , E d m o n t o n , A B . M c N a l l . 1 9 9 0 . The Birds of British Columbia. Volume 1: N o n p a s s e r i n e s : I n t r o d u c t i o n , L o o n s A c o r n , John & Ian Sheldon. 2 0 0 1 . Bugs of Bri t i s h through Wa t e r f ow l . R oyal British Columbia C o l u m b i a . Lone Pine Publ i s h i n g , E d m o n t o n , A B . M u s e u m , E nvironment Canada, Canadian W i l d l i fe A l b e r ta Environmental Protection Natura l S e r v i c e . Resources Serv i c e , Recreation and Protected A r e a s C a m p b e l l , R . Way n e , Neil Dawe, Ian McTa g g a r t - D i v i s i o n , N a t u r al Heritage Planning and Evaluation C ow a n , John Cooper, G a r y Kaiser and Michael B r a n c h . 1 9 9 8 . The Boreal Forest Natural Region M c N a l l . 1 9 9 0 . The Birds of British Columbia. of A l b e r t a . Volume 2: N o n p a s s e r i n e s : D i u r nal Birds of Prey B o r ke n t , C h r istopher and Laura Greenway. 1 9 9 7 . through Wo o d p e c ke r s . R oyal British Columbia Sphinx moths (Family Sphingidae) in Bri t i s h M u s e u m , E nvironment Canada, Canadian W i l d l i fe C o l u m b i a : Biological notes and field ke y, based on S e r v i c e . specimens in the collection at the Royal Bri t i s h C a m p b e l l , R . Way n e , Neil Dawe, Ian McTa g g a r t - Columbia Museum. RBCM Publication on Intern e t . C ow a n , John Cooper, G a r y Kaiser, Michael McNall B o r r o r, Donald J. & Richard E. W h i t e . 1970 A and G.E. John Smith. 1 9 9 0 . The Birds of Bri t i s h Field Guide to the Insects of A m e r ica North of C o l u m b i a . Volume 3: Pa s s e r i n e s : F ly c a t c h e r s M e x i c o.Pe t e r son Field Guide Seri e s . H o u g h t o n through V i r e o s . UBC Press,Va n c o u ver in co- Mifflin Co. , B o s t o n , M a s s . o p e r ation with Environment Canada (Canadian W i l d l i fe Service) and W i l d l i fe Branch of B. C . B r itish Columbia Ministry of Sustainable Resource M i n i s t r y of Env i r o n m e n t , Lands and Pa r k s . M a n a g e m e n t . 1 9 9 9 . D awson Creek Land and Resource Management Plan. C a m p b e l l , R . Way n e , Neil Dawe, Ian McTa g g a r t - C ow a n , John Cooper, G a r y Kaiser, Andrew Stewart B r itish Columbia Ministry of Sustainable Resource and Michael McNall. 2 0 0 1 . The Birds of Bri t i s h M a n a g e m e n t . 1 9 9 9 . F o r t St. John Land and C o l u m b i a . Volume 4: Pa s s e r i n e s : Wo o d - w a r bl e r s Resource Management Plan. through Old Wo r ld Sparr ow s . UBC Press, Va n c o u ver in co-operation with Env i r o n m e n t B r ya n t , D. , G . Nielsen and L.Ta n g l e y. 1 9 9 7 . T h e Canada (Canadian W i l d l i fe Serv i c e ) , W i l d l i fe and Last Frontier Forests: Ecosystems and Economies Resources Inve n t o r y Branches of B. C . M i n i s t r y of on the Edge. Wo r ld Resources Institute,WA . E nv i r o n m e n t , Lands and Pa r ks and Royal Bri t i s h B u n n e l l , F. L . & J.F. J o h n s o n , e d s . 1 9 9 8 . The Living Columbia Museum. D a n c e : Policy and Practices for Biodive r sity in C a m p b e l l , Susan and Sylvia Pincott. 1 9 9 5 . Managed Forests. UBC Press. Naturescape British Columbia: The Prov i n c i a l C a m p b e l l , R . Wayne & Harold Hosfo r d . 1 9 7 9 . G u i d e . A t t r acting and Feeding Birds in British Columbia. C i c h ow s k i , D. B . & Allen Banner. 1 9 9 3 . B r itish Columbia Provincial Museum, M u s e u m Management Strategy and Options for the Methods Manual 7. V i c t o r i a , B. C . Twe e d s mu i r- E n t i a ko Caribou Winter Range. B. C . M i n i s t r y of Forests Land Management Report #83.

8 6 Naturescape British Columbia • PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION R e ferences

C o r k r a n , C h a r lotte C. & Chris To m s . 1 9 9 6 . H a l l , C a r o l . 2 0 0 1 . S l i g h t ly scary garden bu d d i e s . Amphibians of Oregon, Washington and Bri t i s h Gardens West Magazine Vo l . 1 5 , N o. 8 . p p. 1 6 - 1 8 . C o l u m b i a . Lone Pine Publ i s h i n g , E d m o n t o n . H e m p h i l l , S u s a n , Tracey Hooper, F r ancis Njenga, D a n k s , Hugh V. ( e d i t o r ) . 1 9 7 8 . Canada and its K r isti Ive r s o n , Anna Roberts and Crispin Guppy. insect fauna. M e m o i r s of the Entomological 1 9 9 7 . Naturescape British Columbia Native Plant Society of Canada. N o. 1 0 8 . The Entomological and Animal Booklet, C e n t r al Interi o r. Society of Canada, O t t aw a . H e m p h i l l , S u s a n , Tracey Hooper and Fra n c i s D o u g l a s , G . W. et al. 1 9 9 8 - 2 0 0 1 . I l l u s t r ated Flora N j e n g a . 2 0 0 0 . Naturescape British Columbia of British Columbia. Volumes 1-6. B r i t i s h Resource Booklet, C e n t r al Interi o r. Columbia Ministry of Env i r o n m e n t , Lands and Pa r ks and British Columbia Ministry of Forests. H o d g e s , R . W. 1 9 8 3 . Checklist of the Lepidoptera of A m e r ica North of Mexico. E a s t m a n , Don and Greg Jones. 1 9 8 7 . W i l d l i fe studies and future research needs in nort h e r n B. C . E . W. Classey Ltd. and The Wedge Entomological I n : The W i l d l i fe of Nort h e r n British Columbia – Research Foundation, L o n d o n . Pa s t , Present and Future. Symposium Proceedings, H o l e , L o i s . 1 9 9 5 . Lois Hole’s Perennial Favo r i t e s : N ovember 27-29, 1 9 8 7 . Spatsizi Association fo r 100 Best for Cooler Climates. Biological Research, S m i t h e r s , B. C . Lone Pine Publ i s h i n g , E d m o n t o n , A B . E d e r,Ta m a r a and Don Pa t t i e . 2 0 0 1 . Mammals of B r itish Columbia. Lone Pine Publ i s h i n g , E d m o n t o n , H o l e , L o i s . 1 9 9 7 . Lois Hole’s Favo r ite Trees and A B . S h r u b s . Lone Pine Publ i s h i n g , E d m o n t o n , A B . G a r i e py, M i c h e l l e . 2 0 0 1 . Hung up on bats. B. C . H o l l a n d , W. J . 1 9 6 8 . The Moth Book: A Guide to N a t u r alist Fall 2001. Vo l . 39 No. 4 . the Moths of North A m e r i c a . D over Publ i c a t i o n s , N . Y. G e r l i n g , H . S . , M . G . W i l l o u g h by, A . S c h o e p f , K . E . Tannas and C. E . Ta n n a s . 1 9 9 6 . A Guide to Using H o s i e , R . C . 1 9 7 9 . N a t i ve Trees of Canada. N a t i ve Plants on Disturbed A r e a s . A l b e r t a F i t z h e n r y and Whiteside Ltd. and Canadian A g r i c u l t u r e , Food and Rural Development and F o r e s t r y Service (Environment Canada). A l b e r ta Environmental Protection. J o h n s o n , D e r e k , Linda Kers h aw, Andy MacKinnon G r e e n , D avid M. & R. Wayne Campbell. 1 9 8 4 . T h e and Jim Po j a r. 1 9 9 5 . Plants of the We s t e r n Boreal Amphibians of British Columbia. R oyal Bri t i s h Forest and Aspen Pa r k l a n d . Lone Pine Publ i s h i n g , Columbia Museum,V i c t o r i a . E d m o n t o n , AB and Canadian Forest Serv i c e . G r e g o r y, Pa t r ick T. & R. Wayne Campbell. 1 9 8 4 . J o n e s , J . R . J . L l e we l ly n . 1 9 5 1 . An A n n o t a t e d The Reptiles of British Columbia. R oyal Bri t i s h Checklist of the Macrolepidoptera of Bri t i s h Columbia Museum,V i c t o r i a . C o l u m b i a . Occasional Paper of the Entomological Society of British Columbia No. 1 . G u p py, C r ispin S. 1 9 9 8 . Gypsy moth & Btk: threat to rare Lepidoptera (Re: BEN # 186). L i n k , R u s s e l l . 1 9 9 9 . Landscaping for W i l d l i fe in the Botanical Electronic News No. 1 9 0 , A p r il 25, 1 9 9 8 . Pa c i fic Nort h we s t . U n i ve r sity of Washington Press and Washington Department of Fish and W i l d l i fe, G u p py, C r ispin S. & Jon H. S h e p a r d . 2 0 0 1 . S e a t t l e ,WA . Butterflies of British Columbia. UBC Press, Va n c o u ve r.

PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION • Naturescape British Columbia 8 7 R e fe r e n c e s

M a c K i n n o n , A n d y, Jim Pojar and Ray Coupé, e d s . . Po j a r, J i m . 1 9 8 7 . W i l d l i fe habitats in nort h e r n 1 9 9 2 . Plants of Nort h e r n British Columbia. B. C . B r itish Columbia and how they are changing. I n : M i n i s t r y of Forests and Lone Pine Publ i s h i n g , The W i l d l i fe of Nort h e r n British Columbia – Pa s t , E d m o n t o n , A B . Present and Future. Symposium Proceedings, N ovember 27-29, 1 9 8 7 . Spatsizi Association fo r M e r i l e e s , B i l l . 2 0 0 0 . The New Gardening fo r Biological Research, S m i t h e r s , B. C . W i l d l i fe. Whitecap Books,Va n c o u ve r. Po j a r, J i m . 1 9 9 6 . E nvironment and biogeogra p hy M c Ta g g a r t Cow a n , Ian & C. J . G u i g u e t . 1 9 7 5 . T h e of the we s t e r n boreal fo r e s t . The Forestry Mammals of British Columbia. B r itish Columbia Chronicle Vo l . 7 2 , N o. 1 . P r ovincial Museum Handbook No. 1 1 . V i c t o r i a , B. C . Rodale Press, e d s . 1 9 9 2 . A t t r acting Butterflies to Your Garden. Rodale Press, E m m a u s , PA . N a g o r s e n , D avid W. 1 9 9 6 . O p o s s u m s , Shrews and Moles of British Columbia. Volume 2 of the Va l l e a u , J o h n . 1 9 9 8 . H e r itage Perennials Pe r e n n i a l Mammals of British Columbia. R oyal Bri t i s h Gardening Guide. Valleybrook Intern a t i o n a l Columbia Museum Handbook. V i c t o r i a , B. C . Ve n t u r e s , A bb o t s fo r d , B. C . N a g o r s e n , D avid W. and R. M a r k Bri g h a m . 1 9 9 3 . Wa l d o n , B o b. 1 9 9 2 . A Guide to Feeding W i n t e r Bats of British Columbia. Volume 1 of the Birds in British Columbia. Whitecap Books, Mammals of British Columbia. R oyal Bri t i s h Va n c o u ve r. Columbia Museum Handbook. V i c t o r i a , B. C . Wa l ke r, J . H . C . 1 9 8 7 . The role of the public in Pe a r m a n , M y r na and Ted Pike. 2 0 0 0 . N a t u r e s c a p e w i l d l i fe decision-making. I n : The W i l d l i fe of A l b e r t a : Creating and Caring for W i l d l i fe Habitat N o r t h e r n British Columbia – Pa s t , Present and at Home. Red Deer River Natura l i s t s , Red Deer F u t u r e . Symposium Proceedings, N ovember 27- and Federation of A l b e r ta Natura l i s t s , E d m o n t o n , 2 9 , 1 9 8 7 . Spatsizi Association for Biological A B . R e s e a r c h , S m i t h e r s , B. C .

8 8 Naturescape British Columbia • PLANT AND ANIMAL BOOKLET, NORTHERN REGION National Library of Canada Cataloguing in Publication Data Wilkinson, Kathleen, 1950- Naturescape British Columbia. Native plant and animal booklet, the northern region. Cover title: Naturescape British Columbia : Caring for wildlife at home.2 v. in 1. Contents: Native plant and animal booklet, the northern region – Naturescape British Columbia : resource booklet, northern region.

ISBN 0-7726-5052-7

1. Zoology - British Columbia, Northern. 2. Botany - British Columbia, Northern. 3. Biotic communities - British Columbia, Northern. 4. Nature conservation - British Columbia, Northern. I. Naturescape British Columbia. II. Title. III. Title: Naturescape British Columbia : Caring for wildlife at home. IV. Title: Naturescape British Columbia : resource booklet, northern region.

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