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What's New?
The Ecosystems Branch is part of the Ministry of Environment,
Environmental Stewardship Division.
This Division also includes the Fish
and Wildlife Branch, and regional
operations.
NEW! Wetland Stewardship Partnership
Wetland Ways: Interim Guidelines for Wetland Protection and Conservation in British Columbia July, 2009. Developed by the Wetland Stewardship Partnership (WSP), Wetland Ways is a series of guidelines and best practices to help build a comprehensive model for wetland conservation in B.C.
These guidelines are intended to avoid and minimize impacts on wetlands on both private and public lands. The document provides general and sector-specific guidelines for wetland protection addressing the unique needs and impacts, as well as management and regulatory considerations, of various industries and groups. Wetland Ways is intended for people involved in some form of planning activity or development near wetlands, as well as those looking for guidance on the best ways to maintain the high ecological values in these areas.
These interim guidelines were prepared with input from many experienced reviewers and will be updated using feedback and experience from pilot user groups over the next two years. We encourage and welcome comments on these guidelines. For more details and links to the document...
Check
out the
newest additions to our on-line Environmental Information Resources (EIRS) e-library, including some of our newest
recovery strategies, research reports and items like ecosystems at risk brochures - Coastal Sand Dunes of British Columbia, and Estuaries of British Columbia. You can search
by series, by keywords, by title...lots of different
ways. Any questions about how to find things,
contact the Science & Biodiversity
Information Coordinator.
Conservation Framework
The Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with other partners, has developed a new approach for maintaining the rich biodiversity of the province. The Conservation Framework is a collaborative approach to conservation that will allow us to act sooner to protect species and ecosystems in decline, and act smarter by identifying the most appropriate conservation actions. For more information…
NEW! for B.C. Conservation Data Centre - 2009
species and ecosystems taxonomic changes and ranking through BC
Species and Ecosystems Explorer.
Changes are summarized in documents at http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/atrisk/changes.htm.
BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer is the current
source of official B.C. scientific names, English
names and Resource Inventory Standards Committee
(RISC) codes for vertebrates. BCSEExplorer assumed
this role in 2005, replacing The Vertebrates of
British Columbia: Scientific and English names.
Recent Publications:
New provincial recovery strategies and draft provincial recovery strategies have been added since March 2009 - View the complete list and link to documents
Literature review of impacts of glyphosate herbicide on amphibians: What risks can the silvicultural use of this herbicide pose for amphibians in B.C.? Glyphosate herbicides are the most widely used non-selective broad-spectrum herbicides in the world. In Canada they are extensively used in forestry for site preparation and for conifer release. Recent studies have shown that amphibians are one of the most sensitive vertebrate groups to the toxicological effects of this herbicide. This report summarizes current literature on the non-target impacts of glyphosate herbicides on amphibians, combines reviews of published studies with a review of the application guidelines and the use patterns of this herbicide in silviculture in BC,and identifies knowledge gaps in the assessment of herbicide impacts on native amphibians in this province.
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RISC mapping standard:
Ministry of Environment. 2006. Standard for Mapping
Ecosystems at Risk in British Columbia: An approach
to mapping ecosystems at risk and other sensitive
ecosystems. Version 1. B.C. Minist. Environ.,
Victoria, BC. 98pp.
For
more information...
The
brochure Snowmobiling and Caribou in British Columbia (PDF 1.94MB) provides basic information on
caribou, where they live and why they are at risk,
and describes the effect of snowmobile activity
on the species. Includes distribution map and
ways to reduce disturbance as a result of snowmobiling.
Wild
game and fish may carry diseases that can be transmitted
to people. Disease transmission to people can
be prevented by following the guidelines provided
in the booklet Diseases You Can Get From
Wildlife - a field-guide for Hunters,
Trappers, Anglers and Biologists. This booklet
provides the top 10 safety tips, general information
and detailed information about specific diseases. For
more information (searchable website) and links
to the document...
Badger
Prey Ecology: The Ecology of Six Small Mammals
Found in British Columbia (PDF 857KB)
Badgers in British Columbia are ranked as Endangered
by COSEWIC and are continuing to decline in numbers.
The availability and abundance of prey have been
identified as primary factors limiting Badger
populations, but there is a lack of knowledge
on the ecology of these prey species in British
Columbia. This report will assist in development
of recovery planning by providing synthesized
information on badger prey ecology and its influence
on badger distribution, abundance, productivity
and survival. The ecology of six main prey species
for Badgers in B.C. is reviewed.
Best Management
Practices for Raptor Conservation during Urban
and Rural Land Development in British Columbia.
This document was developed to provide additional
background information in support of Develop
with Care. It is also the companion document
to the Best Management Practices for Amphibians
and Reptiles in Urban and Rural Land Development
in British Columbia. The document provides general
material on raptors, including life history and
habitat requirements, for 25 species whose ranges
overlap with urban and rural development, and
provides best management practices guidelines
for activities undertaken in those ranges.
For link to document...(137pp PDF 4.5MB).
Wildlife
Guidelines for Backcountry Tourism/Commercial
Recreation
These guidelines were
developed to ensure that backcountry recreation
activities are conducted in a manner that does
not compromise the current distribution of wildlife,
the sustainability of their populations, or the
integrity of their habitats. These guidelines
define results, desired behaviours, indicators,
and limits for backcountry activities in relation
to wildlife and their habitats. These guidelines
are intended for use by commercial tourism
operators tenured under the Land Act when conducting
activities on Crown land, including water-based
activities. However, it is anticipated that the
guidelines will provide useful guidance for all
backcountry recreational users. (These guidelines
replace the first version which was published
in 2002 as the Interim wildlife guidelines
for commercial backcountry recreation in British
Columbia.) For
more detail and links to documents . . .
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For more
information, choose from the contents list and
don't forget to check the Publications
in the left menu for new documents! |
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