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THE GARRY OAK ECOSYSTEM:
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Garry oak ecosystems stretch along the west coast of North America as far south as California. The Canadian portion is geographically, genetically and ecologically important because it occurs at the extreme northern limits of this distribution.
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The Garry oak ecosystem is ranked as one of the three most endangered ecosystems in Canada. Less than 1% of the original area of this exceptional ecosystem remains in a natural condition. Over 20% of the remaining area is likely to be lost in the next decade, mostly due to urban development. |
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Spectacular spring wildflower displays, including blooms of the blue camas, white fawn lily, and the yellow western buttercup are a hallmark of the ecosystems. Garry oak ecosystems support more than 100 rare and endangered plants and animals within Canada. Some species, including Lobb's water-buttercup, the Island marble butterfly, Lewis' Woodpecker and the Western Bluebird have already been lost. For more information see the Conservation Data Centre's web page at www.elp.gov.bc.ca/rib/wis/cdc. |
| Garry oak ecosystems are an important part of the cultural heritage of British Columbia. First Nations peoples tended them with fire and cultivation, and depended on the bulbs of the camas flower as a staple food. As global warming progresses, Garry oak trees and other plants of the Garry oak ecosystems may become increasingly important within the landscape of British Columbia. Ecosystems such as Douglas-fir forests may be replaced by Garry oak and associated ecosystems that are well adapted to a warm climate and extended drought. |
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What are the threats to this ecosystem?
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Urban development is the greatest threat to this ecosystem, and oak trees lost to urbanization are not being replaced. Mowing, fertilizing, watering, and other gardening-type treatments of Garry oak ecosystems damage oak seedlings as well as other natural vegetation.
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| Introduced plant and animal species stress and threaten the oak and other native species. Pests such as the oak leaf phylloxera and introduced plants such as Scotch broom and orchard grass have stressed the ecosystem.
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Garry oak ecosystems are adapted to fire, and since we have suppressed fire the ecosystems are changing. In many places, Douglas-fir trees and snowberry shrubs are starting to shade out indigenous plant species of the Garry oak meadow. |
More Information on Garry Oak Ecosystems:
Garry Oak Ecosystems Fact Sheet: GOERT ( pdf - 117 KB; pdf handout
of this webpage )