User:The Chris Happy/Qualicum National Wildlife Area: Difference between revisions
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Some vegetation communities in the Marshall-Stevenson estuary (and nearby in the Little Qualicum River estuary) are listed below: |
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==== Invasive Species ==== |
==== Invasive Species ==== |
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Revision as of 22:26, 11 October 2023
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Qualicum National Wildlife Area (Qualicum NWA) has territory made of coastal douglas fir forest, intertidal marsh and upland meadows[1] that are host to a variety of organisms, including several invasive and endangered species.
The national wildlife area consists of three small units - Rosewall Creek, Marshall-Stevenson, and Nanoose Bay - spread out along the northeastern coast Vancouver Island between the communities of Fanny Bay and Nanoose Bay.
Since it is a National Wildlife Area (NWA), Qualicum NWA is governed by the Canada Wildlife Act[1] and managed by the Canadian government department Environment and Climate Change Canada[1]. While most National Wildlife Areas are closed to the public to reduce the human impacts on the land, vegetation, animals, and insects, the Qualicum NWA is open for certain recreational activities, such as wildlife viewing[1], hiking[1], and hunting in certain areas[2].
Species
| Nanoose-Bonell Estuary | Marshall-Stevenson Estuary | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Some of Nanoose-Bonell Estuary's dominant plant species from 1986.[3]
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Some vegetation communities in the Marshall-Stevenson Estuary (and nearby in the Little Qualicum River estuary, in 1982).[4]
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Invasive Species
Reed canary grass is one of the invasive species in the Qualicum National Park[1]. Reed canary grass is dominant to the understory[5]. Reed canary grass is not native to British Columbia and is originally from temperate parts of Europe and Asia.[6] It was brought to BC likely through cultivar in the 1800s[7], and then spread to Qualicum through rhizomes.[8] The grass finds the Qualicum area favorable because it needs long daylight hours for flowering and it thrives in areas with wet soil adjacent to rivers and streams. However, as an invasive species, it reduces biodiversity by occupying much of the ground cover.
Endangered Species
The great blue heron is endangered at Qualicum National Park. Nonetheless, the birds are removing 3% of fish heading out to the Salish sea.[9]
Qualicum NWA is home to a rare Garry Oak ecosystem. The area has a meadow/arbutus[10] system. These oaks are rapidly dwindling due to habitat loss in many of the places they are found. Within these ecosystems, the soil is dark and rich, benefitting herbaceous understory vegetation.[11] The ecosystems are thought to have upwards of a hundred plant and animal species. The Garry Oaks are drought resistant plants with leaves that prevent a lot of water loss. [12]
References
- ^ a b c d e f Canada, Environment and Climate Change (2011-11-25). "Qualicum National Wildlife Area". www.canada.ca. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
- ^ Canada, Environment and Climate Change (2015-02-20). "Qualicum National Wildlife Area pamphlet". www.canada.ca. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
- ^ Dawe, Neil K.; White, Eric R. (1986-01-01). "Some aspects of the vegetation ecology of the Nanoose–Bonell estuary, Vancouver Island, British Columbia". Canadian Journal of Botany. 64 (1): 27–34. doi:10.1139/b86-006. ISSN 0008-4026.
- ^ Dawe, Neil K.; White, Eric R. (1982-08-01). "Some aspects of the vegetation ecology of the Little Qualicum River estuary, British Columbia". Canadian Journal of Botany. 60 (8): 1447–1460. doi:10.1139/b82-185. ISSN 0008-4026.
- ^ "E-Flora BC Atlas Page". linnet.geog.ubc.ca. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
- ^ "Phalaris arundinacea". www.fs.usda.gov. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
- ^ Ontario Invasive Plant Council. "Invasive Reed Canary Grass. Best Management Practices in Ontario" (PDF). ontario.ca/invasivespecies. Retrieved 10/11/23.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|access-date=(help) - ^ "Reed Canary Grass Invasive Species Profile". Natural Resource Stewardship. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
- ^ "Blue herons identified as a significant predator of B.C.'s juvenile salmon". Parksville Qualicum Beach News. 2021-03-11. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
- ^ "Notch Hill". Parksville Qualicum Beach Tourism. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
- ^ Wayne Erickson (October 1993). "Garry Oak Ecosystems-- Restricted to southwestern British Columbia, these ecosystems are among the rarest in the province" (PDF). Province of British Columbia Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks.
- ^ "VIU biology professor restoring one of Canada's most threatened ecosystems on Nanaimo campus | News | Vancouver Island University | Canada". news.viu.ca. Retrieved 2023-10-11.