North Pender DPA 3 Fact Sheet - Riparian

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Mark Kaarremaa

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NORTH PENDER ISLAND DEVELOPMENT PERMIT AREA

What Are They?

Riparian ecosystems are found along the

margins of rivers, streams, lakes and marshes,
the floodplains of these areas, and wet gullies.

The moist soils of these areas support plant

communities that are very different from those

in drier, upland areas. Riparian ecosystems

can range in width from a few metres, such as

those next to small steams with steep banks,
to more that 100 metres along large rivers.
On North Pender Island these ecosystems are
quite limited and narrow.

Due to seasonal changes in water levels,
riparian ecosystems are highly dynamic.
Natural disturbances such as periodic or

seasonal flooding, blowdown of shallow-rooted

trees, and shifts in the stream channels
combine to create a variety of habitat types
that support high levels of biodiversity. In
mature riparian ecosystems, tree growth is
rapid and the forest understorey is lush and
diverse.

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Why They Are Important

Riparian ecosystems support an exceptionally
high number of plants, amphibians, small
animals, and insects for the area that they
occupy. This is because they contain the three
critical habitat components for wildlife - water,
shelter and food.

Due to their relatively small size, coupled with
the North Pender Island’s limited topography
and dry climate, riparian areas are very
limited.

Human activity has affected the extent and
health of local riparian areas. On North Pender
Island less than half a hectare of intact
riparian ecosystems remain.

Mark Kaarremaa

Riparian ecosystems make up only
0.015% of North Pender Island

Their Purpose

The purpose of the Riparian Ecosystems
Development Permit Area (DPA) is to help
protect the remaining riparian areas on
North Pender Island by guiding any new
development that might occur within them.
The areas covered by this DPA are indicated
in Schedule K of the North Pender Island
Official Community Plan (OCP).

What Does This Mean?

If you have a property that is partially
located within a Riparian Ecosystems DPA
you will need to obtain a development
permit from the Islands Trust before
undertaking certain new land-altering
activities identified in the North Pender
Island OCP.

The regular maintenance
of existing buildings and
landscaping, as well as
any development that
takes place outside of

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the DPA does not require ass
a Development Permit. ISlands Trust

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Extent of Riparian Ecosystems
DPA Areas on North Pender Island

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How to Protect this Ecosystem

Maintain a Surrounding Buffer
A protective vegetated buffer around a riparian area will help protect it
from potentially harmful outside disturbance and edge effects.

Control Invasive Species

The limited and narrow nature of riparian areas coupled with their
fertile soils and increasing proximity to new developments makes them
particularly vulnerable to the intrusion of non-native species such as
Himalayan black

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