sensitive ecosystems inventory mapping of proposed ... · data sources sensitive ecosystems –...

Data Sources

Sensitive Ecosystems – from Sensitive Ecosystems Inventory of the Sunshine Coast and Adjacent Islands. 2005. Environment Canada, British Columbia Ministry of Environment, Habitat Conservation Trust Fund, Regional District of Comox-Strathcona, Sunshine Coast Regional District, Terminal Forest Products, and others. See http://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/acat/public/viewReport.do?reportId=3758

Cadastral – from TA_SP_SVW coverage downloaded from LRDW Sept 17/08

Island Timberlands extents – from Cortes Ecoforestry Society, 2008

Lot Numbers – from BC Forest Cover data, 1995

Parks – from Cortes Ecoforestry Society, 2000, revised to fit current cadastral and water feature data.

Roads and Streams – from BC Forest Cover data, 1995, revised by Cortes Ecoforestry Society, 2000

Coast and Lakes – from Sensitive Ecosystem mapping

Toponyms – from BC Forest Cover data, 1995, revised by Cortes Ecoforestry Society, 2000

Ecosystem ComponentsThis cartographic product uses Dot Density to indicate where more than oneecosystem class is mapped in a polygon. The number of dots indicates the

proportion of the polygon represented by the 2nd and 3rd ecosystem; the colourof the dots indicates the 2nd and 3rd ecosystem class.

10% density of additional ecosystem component

20% density of additional system component

30% density of additional ecosystem component

40% density of additional ecosystem component

50% density of additional ecosystem component

The base colour represents the first ecosystemcomponent.

Coloured dots overlaid upon the base colour indicate a second ecosystem component.

Two colours of dots indicate a second and thirdecosystem.

Old ForestConifer-dominated dry to moist forest types,structural stage 7 see table), generally >250yrs.

WoodlandDry open forests, generally between 10 and 30%tree cover, can be conifer dominated or mixed coniferand arbutus stands; because of open canopy, willinclude non-forested openings, often with shallow soilsand bedrock outcroppings.

HerbaceousNon-forested ecosystems (less than 10% tree cover),generally with shallow soils and often with bedrockoutcroppings; includes large openings within forestedareas, coastal headlands, shorelines vegetated withgrasses and herbs, sometimes low shrubs, and mossand lichen communities on rock outcrops.

RiparianAreas adjacent to water bodies (rivers, lakes, ocean,wetlands)which are influenced by factors such aserosion, sedimentation, flooding and/or subterraneanirrigation due to proximity to the water body. Structuralstages 1 – 7.

WetlandAreas that are saturated or inundated with water forlong enough periods of time to develop vegetation andbiological activity adapted to wet environments. Thismay result from flooding, fluctuating water tables, tidalinfluences or poor drainage conditions.

CliffsVery steep slope, often exposed bedrock, may includesteepsided sand bluffs; habitat for rare species.

Sensitive EcosystemsSensitive ecosystems are fragile and/or rare, or are ecologically

important because of the diversity of species they support.

Other Important EcosystemsOther important ecosystems have high biodiversity values.

Usually conifer-dominated, occasionally deciduous,dry to moist forest types, structural stage 6,generally >80yrs; > 25 ha. or buffering sensitiveecosystems.

Mature Forests

Seasonally Flooded Agricultural Fields Annually flooded cultivated fields or hay fields;important migrating and wintering waterfowl habitat.

Other Mapped EcosystemsOther mapped ecosystems occur in mosaic with sensitiveecosystems and are not possible to delineate separately

at the mapping scale.

Young ForestsLimited to areas of young forest dispersed amongsensitive and other important ecosystems.

Map Symbols

Island Timberlands Holdings

Parks

Lakes

Creeks

Lot Lines

Paved Road

Gravel Road

Trail

Description of Sensitive Ecosystem Inventory

MethodologyThe mapping methods are based on the Vancouver Island SEI projectand the Resources Information Standards Committee (RISC)Standard for Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping (TEM) in BC. Ecosystemcategories include six Sensitive Ecosystem (SE) classes, twoImportant Ecosystem classes, and one Other Ecosystem class. Thelegend to the right of the map provides definitions. Ecosystemclasses, subclasses, the corresponding Terrestrial Ecosystem siteunits and structural stages, and stream and drainage corridors notincluded in TRIM, are mapped. Field survey protocols followedDescribing Terrestrial Ecosystems in the Field (RISC 1998) with theaddition of a conservation evaluation form to document ecosystemcondition and viability. Approximately 20% of the polygons were fieldchecked.

Data LimitationsThe SEI is a tool to alert decision makers to the existence of sensitiveecosystems, however when land-use changes are proposed detailedsite-level assessments are necessary. For sites not field checked, theaccuracy of the data depends heavily on the professional judgementof the mapper and the availability of source data. Because the area ischanging rapidly, reference to the date of the information source isadvised.

Aerial photographs used were flown between 1994 and 1999, mostare at 1:10,000 scale, some at 1:16,000 scale. Due to the mappingscale, minimum polygon size is usually ½ hectare. Minimum riparianpolygon width is 20 metres regardless of the stream channel width.Enlargement of the data beyond the source scale may result inunacceptable distortion and faulty registration with other data sets.

What can be done to protect sensitive ecosystems?Direct and indirect impacts to these ecosystems can be avoided by:• Retaining or creating vegetated buffers around sensitiveecosystems to isolate them from outside disturbance;• Controlling land and water access to fragile ecosystems;• Controlling invasive species;• Allowing natural disturbances to occur;• Maintaining water quality.

If development must occur, develop carefully!

Conduct an ecological inventory to identify the existing flora andfauna and to locate any threatened or endangered plant and animalspecies, plant communities, and habitat features needingprotection.

What is a Sensitive Ecosystem?

For the purpose of this study, an ecosystem isconsidered to be a portion of the landscape with

relatively uniform dominant vegetation.

Sensitive ecosystems are those which are fragileand/or rare, or those ecosystems which are

ecologically important because of the diversityof species they support.

RationaleEcologically significant lands and important wildlife habitats are fastdisappearing throughout the lowlands surrounding the Strait ofGeorgia. Intense development pressures fuelled by population andeconomic growth have fragmented and degraded many terrestrialecosystems. A high proportion of these ecosystems are nowdesignated as “at risk”. Sensitive ecosystems typically have highbiological diversity and are a vital part of the landscape. They provideecosystem services for a healthy economy and for social well being.They regulate climate, clean water, generate and clean soils, recyclenutrients and pollinate our crops. To protect these areas, sensitiveecosystems must be located, identified and mapped. Along theSunshine Coast the wave-beaten shorelines, coastal plains, ruggedmountain slopes, fjords and estuaries contribute to high biodiversityvalues. Here one finds coastal temperate rainforests, dry shorelinewoodlands, herbaceous meadows and rocky coastal bluffs, wetlandsand riparian ecosystems.

PurposeThe purpose of the Sensitive Ecosystems Inventory (SEI) of theSunshine Coast is to identify, classify and map sensitive terrestrialecosystems along the coastal lowlands (including the adjacentislands) from Howe Sound to Desolation Sound. The goal of the SEIis to encourage informed land-use decisions that will conservesensitive ecosystems. The SEI on Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands(1993 – 1997) shows that this information can be used in a variety ofland-use planning processes and can contribute to the conservationof many sites. Decision makers, consultants and non-governmentorganizations have found the SEI to be an effective planning andmanagement tool. SEI data provides site-specific ecologicalinformation that can be used to flag sites of conservation concern, toprompt detailed field studies prior to development projects, and toprovide input to Forest Stewardship Plans.

Plan and implement all development activities in a manner that willnot adversely affect or disturb the sensitive ecosystem.

Consult a qualified professional to interpret the ecological inventorydata and work to incorporate designs that maintain the functionsand values of the natural ecosystem.

AcknowledgementsEnvironment Canada (Canadian Wildlife Service) and the B.C. Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management (MSRM) jointlymanaged this project. Major funding came from EnvironmentCanada and MSRM as part of the Georgia Basin EcosystemInitiative, BC Habitat Conservation Trust Fund, and the SunshineCoast Regional District. The multi agency steering committeeincluded the above agencies as well as B.C. Ministry of Water,Land and Air Protection (WLAP), Sechelt Indian Band, SliammonFirst Nation, Powell River Regional District, Comox-StrathconaRegional District, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), andTerminal Forest Products Ltd.

Co-ordination and extension: Carmen Cadrin, Judith Cullington, JanKirkby, Jo-Anne Stacey and Peggy Ward.

Ecosystem Mappers: Carmen Cadrin, Corey Erwin, Bob Fuller,Claudia Schaefer, Shearwater Mapping Ltd. and Jo-Anne Stacey.

Digitizing and Cartography: Bon Lee of Baseline Geomatics Inc. andAXYS Environmental Consulting Ltd.

GIS support: Tim Brierley, Steve Moslin and Mike Wolowicz (MSRM).

Field Crews: Louise Blight, Carmen Cadrin, Corey Erwin, DeepaSpaeth Filatow, Moraia Grau, Edwin Hubert, Stephen Hureau,Marc Johnson, Anre McIntosh, Will MacKenzie, Claudia Schaefer,Jo-Anne Stacey and Leah Westereng.

Sensitive Ecosystems Inventory Mapping of Proposed Community Forest Agreement Area on Cortes Island 2008

49

I.R.8(Squirrel

Cove)

4645

48

I.R.736 (Tork)

3738 39 40 41

3534

33 3231 30

29

21

23 24 25 26

18

17 16 1514

10 11 129

8

7

56I.R.3

(Paukeanum)

W E S T

R E D O N D ARead

Island

I S L A N D

Penn

Islands

CliffPeak

HillIsland

W E S T

R E D

O N

D A

Junction Point I S L A N D

CoulterIsland

Camp Island

GreenMtn.

Larsen'sMeadow

Ring Is.

FrogTan Island Mountain

Shark Spit

Kinghorn

Island

Marina IslandEasterCat IslandBluff

WolfKitten Is. Bluff

Red Granite Point

Mary PointMalaspina

PeninsulaCod Rocks

ch

Squirrel Cove

Whaletown

L E W I S

C H A N N E L

RobertsonLake

A R M

WileyV o n

T E A K E R N E

L.

Do

no

p

L

CorkQuartz

E Lake BayN

N

A

IH n lC e t

L I T

U

S

Squirrel

D E S O

L A T I O N

CarringtonCoulterBay

Lagoon

Bluejay CoveLake

egassa

DelightP

Lk.

re Nutshellg Lk.nulP

Bay

S O U

N D

Whaletown

West Gorge

G o r g e H a r b o u r

U a ng d a

Pa

ss

ag

e

AnvilL.

Mansons

Bay

Gunflint(Hazel)

Lake TiberBay

FrabjiousBay

C o r t e s B a y

Hague

Lake

Windy Bay

Poison Bay

HathayimProvincial

Marine Park

Carrington BayRegional Park

Kw'asMansons RegionalLanding ParkProvincialPark

7

6I.R.3

(Paukeanum)

43

2

1

Sutil

Ree

f

Sutil Point

Smelt

Bay

Smelt BayProvincial Park

1 : 20,000

Inset Map: Sutil Peninsula, South Cortes Island

This map was produced by Cortes Ecoforestry Society andWoodlot Forestry Services Ltd. to provide the means forfurther fieldwork analysis, especially ground-truthing creeksand sensitive ecosystems.

Woodlot Forestry Services Ltd.D:\Cortes2008\Cortes SEI on CFA Lands.mxd

Map Plotted on June 19, 2009

Distribution of SEI Mapped Ecosystems on Proposed CFA Area

Old Forests

Mature Forests

Young Forests

WoodlandRiparian

Wetland

Herbaceous

Unclassified

Ecosystem Type Area In Hectares

Percent of Total

Old Forests 105 2.2%Mature Forests 1,464 30.6%Young Forests 66 1.4%Woodland 863 18.1%Riparian 231 4.8%Wetland 165 3.5%Herbaceous 111 2.3%Unclassified 1,762 36.9%

Total CFA Area: 4,780 100.0%

SEI Mapped Ecosystems on Proposed CFA Area

Note: Area of each ecosystem type is total area of ecosystem type present as first, second and third components in CFA area. TEst

1 : 20,000

NAD 1983 UTM Zone 10N0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000250

Meters