Ecosystem Mapping

The Islands Trust created Ecosystem Mapping of the Islands Trust Area in an effort to encourage land-use decisions that will ensure the continued integrity of these ecosystems. The mapping will also be used to create a coordinated plan for conservation – the Islands Trust Fund’s Regional Conservation Plan – which will focus limited resources on protecting those ecosystems under greatest threat.

Sensitive Ecosystems

An ecosystem is a system of living organisms interacting with their non-living environment. Ecosystems are distinguished from each other by their vegetation make-up, climate, drainage, and elevation along with many other modifiers.

Some ecosystems rely on a delicate mix of species and conditions that are easily impacted by human activities. These ecosystems are termed “sensitive.” Sensitive ecosystems are defined as those which are fragile and/or rare because of the diversity of species they support. The islands in the Strait of Georgia (the Gulf Islands) hold a disproportional number of these sensitive ecosystems due to the high density of rare species residing in the region.

Although not part of the Sensitive Ecosystem classification system, Mature Forests (80-250 yrs) in the Islands Trust Area are considered rare by the Conservation Data Centre.

Ecosystem Maps

Draft Ecosystem Maps

The Islands Trust invites community feedback on the draft Ecosystem Maps for the Local Trust Areas in the Coastal Douglas-fir zone (Gulf Islands). Comments will be received until December 31st, 2009. The Islands Trust will consider comments and complete final Ecosystem Maps in 2010

• Lasqueti Island Local Trust Area
• Saturna Island Local Trust Area
• South Pender Island Local Trust Area
• Thetis Island Local Trust Area - Valdez Island

Final Ecosystem Maps

As the Islands Trust incorporates community feedback into the ecosystem maps, final maps will be posted.

• Denman Island Local Trust Area
• Gabriola Island Local Trust Area
• Galiano Island Local Trust Area
• Hornby Island Local Trust Area
• Mayne Island Local Trust Area
• North Pender Island Local Trust Area
• Salt Spring Island Local Trust Area
• Thetis Island Local Trust Area

How the Maps were Created

Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping, created in partnership with Parks Canada and the Ministry of Environment, formed the basis for the Sensitive Ecosystem Maps. The Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping was completed in accordance with the Resource Information Standards Committee (RISC) Standard for Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping in British Columbia. Ecosystem mapping involves air photo interpretation coupled with field studies. Using the data collected, cartographers label and identify like ecosystems through a series of polygons on the new maps.

Have a Comment About One of the Maps?

The Islands Trust welcomes and appreciates public feedback on the sensitive ecosystem maps. Comments to be considered for incorporation into the 2010 sensitive ecosystem maps will be accepted until January 31, 2010. After than date, comments are encouraged on an ongoing basis and will be considered when maps are periodically updated.

To comment on specific information in one of the maps, please fill out the form below and click the 'submit' button to complete. Click the clear button to clear the form and start again.

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