|
Looking for something a little
different? This tour will journey to
the Southern Gulf Islands and feature a
visit to one of Canada’s most diverse
yet endangered ecosystems. Located in
the rainshadow of the Olympic Mountains
and the Vancouver Island Ranges Garry
oak ecosystems are found only in the
southwest corner of British Columbia,
Canada. The only native oak species to
British Columbia, research indicates
that Garry oak was once widespread on
southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf
Islands, currently however only 5% of
its native habitat remains; most having
succumbed to the pressures of urban
development, the introduction of exotic
species, and the cessation of fire.
Our trip will feature a “cruise” via
B.C. Ferries from Tsawwassen to Long
Harbour on Saltspring Island. From
there we will make our way to the Garry
Oaks Winery where we will briefly
examine why Garry oak and vineyards make
interesting partners. Note to
connoisseurs of the vine, there will be
a short time for some wine tasting.
Our tour will then take us to the Crow’s
Nest Ecological Research Area (CNERA)
that
consists primarily of mixed stands of
coniferous and deciduous forest
comprised by Douglas-fir, Broadleaf
maple, Red alder, and of course Garry
oak. We will hike through
several Garry oak meadows and research
plots in second-growth and remnant
old-growth Garry oak – Douglas-fir
forests. Our research is just beginning
here but includes: reconstructing stand
structure and dynamics including fire
history, investigating climate-growth
relationships, and exploring meadow
boundary dynamics, all using
tree-rings. Other projects include
investigating the role of herbivory and
exotic species impact on oak
regeneration using exclosures, and
permanent study plots.
Access to sites includes hiking on and
off-trail on mixed terrain. |
