Thetis LTA Coastal Douglas-fir Forests

Extracted text (beginning)

THETIS ISLAND LOCAL TRUST AREA
Coastal Douglas-fir  
Forests
What are Coastal Douglas-fir Ecosystems?
The Coastal Douglas-fir (CDF) zone describes a unique set of 
ecosystems found only on southeast Vancouver Island, the Gulf 
Islands, and the southwest coast of BC. CDF ecosystems are rare 
and highly endangered. These ecosystems include Douglas-fir 
forests, as well as Garry oak woodlands, wetlands, estuaries,  
and other unique communities of plant, animal, and fungi  
found nowhere else in the world.
Why are CDF Ecosystems Important?
CDF ecosystems have: 
•    The highest diversity of plant species in BC
•    The highest diversity of overwintering bird species in Canada
•    The highest density of species at risk in BC, including  
24 globally imperiled species
Yet 98% of the 45 ecological communities in the CDF zone are at 
risk of being lost.
In addition to supporting biodiversity, CDF forests benefit our 
communities by:
•    Mitigating climate change by capturing and storing  
carbon from the atmosphere
•    Supporting cultural and spiritual values of First Nations that 
have lived in the region since time immemorial
•    Reducing pollution by removing dust, pollen, and smoke  
from the air
•    Controlling and filtering stormwater runoff into lakes and 
streams, which protects drinking water and reduces flood risk
•    Supporting resilient food systems by providing habitat for 
native pollinators
•    Increasing property values
•    Providing recreational opportunities and spaces for relaxation
lichen, pileated woodpecker
This resource was developed by:
Photos by Kristine Mayes except lichen photo by Ken Lertzman, header and footer photos by Alex Harris for Raincoast. Map produced by Islands Trust.

Why are CDF Forests at Risk?
Since European settlement, almost half of the historically 
forested land in the CDF zone has been lost due to land uses 
such as forestry and development. Most old-growth forests 
have been replaced by second-growth forests that are not as 
biodiverse or resilient. Remaining CDF forests are in a hotspot 
of urban and rural development, and under increasing pressure 
from a growing population.
Climate change will have significant impacts on CDF forests as 
intensifying summer droughts stress trees. Islander observations 
indicate that climate change has already impacted western 
redcedar and other species. It is likely that drought is the 
primary cause of increased stress, but work needs to be done to 
understand these changes and adapt conservation of CDF habitats.
CDF forests and associated ecosystems are among the most 
endangered in Canada, yet only 11% of land in this zone is 
protected.  Eighty percent of the land in the CDF zone is 
privately owned, highlighting the importance of voluntary 
conservation actions by individuals to protect what’s left.
What You Can Do
Become a land steward:
 …Protect living trees
 …Leave large patches of natural forest intact
 …Leave standing dead trees (snags) and fallen tree

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