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User:The Chris Happy/Qualicum National Wildlife Area

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The Qualicum National Wildlife Area (NWA) was officially established in 1977,[1] under the Canada Wildlife Act (1973).[2] The primary objective of the Qualicum NWA was to conserve crucial habitats for migratory birds and various other species.[2]

The national wildlife area consists of three small units - Rosewall Creek, Marshall-Stevenson, and Nanoose Bay - spread out along the northeastern coast Vancouver Island between the communities of Fanny Bay and Nanoose Bay.

Since it is a National Wildlife Area (NWA), Qualicum NWA is governed by the Canada Wildlife Act[3] and managed by the Canadian government department Environment and Climate Change Canada[3]. While most National Wildlife Areas are closed to the public to reduce the human impacts on the land, vegetation, animals, and insects, the Qualicum NWA is open for certain recreational activities, such as wildlife viewing and hiking[3] as well as hunting in certain areas.[4]

Topography

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The Qualicum National Wildlife Area (NWA) is situated on the Nanaimo lowland, which is a stretch of land that lies above the Jordan River, west of Victoria, and stretches up to the Johnstone Strait.[1] The topography of the Qualicum National Wildlife Area (NWA) consists of both coastal and land ecosystems.[1] The land ecosystems found in the Qualicum NWA are upland meadows, whereas the coastal ecosystems include intertidal marsh habitats, and estuarine ecosystems, which take up 82 hectares.[1] Coastal Douglas-fir forests are also located in the Qualicum NWA, only being found in 0.3 percent of the province[5]. These Ecosystems make a habitat for many organisms, including several endangered species.[1] The area has a meadow/arbutus[6] system.

Indigenous Background

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The Qualicum NWA resides on the lands of the Coast Salish First Nations, specifically, the Qualicum First Nations. The name "Qualicum" means "where the dog salmon run".[7] Traditionally, in the fall, Indigenous nations across Canada would gather in Qualicum to catch dog salmon.[8] The Qualicum First Nations' diet also traditionally included abalone, oysters, geoducks and horse and butter clams[8]. The Qualicum First Nations still reside on the land in Qualicum beach.[9]

Two BC Parks management plans related to the Qualicum NWA did not mention consultation with the Coast Salish First Nations, although one plan includes intentions to consult the first nations to develop "cultural inventory":

  • Little Qualicum Falls Park management plan (1989) (adjacent to the Marshall-Stevenson unit): no mention of First Nations.[10]
  • Rosewall Creek Park purpose statement and zoning plan (2003): acknowledged a "[l]ack of detailed knowledge of natural and cultural values" with the response including, "Include First Nations in development of cultural inventory."[11]

Species

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Plant Species

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Some of Plant Species in Qualicum NWA
Nanoose-Bonell Estuary Marshall-Stevenson Estuary
Some of Nanoose-Bonell Estuary's dominant plant species from 1986.[12] Some vegetation communities in the Marshall-Stevenson Estuary (and nearby in the Little Qualicum River estuary, in 1982).[13]
 
Nearby protected habitat area near Parksville, British Columbia

Invasive Species

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Reed canary grass is one of the invasive species in the Qualicum National Park[3].  Reed canary grass is dominant to the understory.[14]  Reed canary grass is not native to British Columbia and is originally from temperate parts of Europe and Asia.[15]  It was brought to BC likely through cultivar in the 1800's,[16] and then spread to Qualicum through rhizomes.[17] The grass finds the Qualicum area favorable because it needs long daylight hours for flowering and it thrives in areas with wet soil adjacent to rivers and streams. However, as an invasive species, it reduces biodiversity by occupying much of the ground cover.

Invasive knotweed is also an invasive plant[18] that prefers wet areas near streams. The city of Qualicum is concerned with both Japanese Knotweed and Giant Hogweed.[19] The plant is outcompeting native species and is also difficult to eradicate because the roots will fragment and grow into new plants when attempting to dig them up. Knotweed was initially brought from East Asia as an ornamental gardening plant[20] in 1901 but it propagates easily and becomes dominant. Giant Hogweed seeds remain viable in the soil for up to 15 years. The leaves and stems themselves contain a toxic sap that has averse effects when brought into contact with skin.[21]

The primary method way to remove invasive knotweed plants is through herbicide, which Parks Canada implements in addition to other control methods like biological, mechanical and chemical.[22] Chemical methods are only considered for plants with long viability periods in soil.

Endangered Species

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The diverse biotic environment includes many species, including over 60 water bird species.[23] The aviary population includes endangered species such as the great blue heron. The birds are removing 3% of fish heading out to the Salish sea.[24] The herons live in woodlands adjacent to estuaries, but they are very sensitive to human activity and can abandon their nests if people come too close.[25]

Qualicum NWA contains Garry Oak ecosystem, the only oak species native to British Columbia.[26] These oaks are rapidly dwindling due to habitat loss in many of the places they are found. Within these ecosystems, the soil is dark and rich, benefitting herbaceous understory vegetation.[5] The ecosystems are thought to have upwards of a hundred plant and animal species. The Garry Oaks are drought resistant plants with leaves that prevent a lot of water loss.[27]

Tourism

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About a 20 minute drive from Qualicum NWA is Qualicum Beach, a popular tourist destination.[28] The attraction prides itself on their extensive beaches, forests and wildlife though the area has undergone much more human intervention than Qualicum NWA.

Hunting is not permitted at most of the NWA except waterfowl such as Brant geese which may be hunted at the Rosewall Creek unit.[29] The necessary permits but be obtained in order to hunt.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Canada, Environment and Climate Change (2011-11-25). "Qualicum National Wildlife Area". www.canada.ca. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
  2. ^ a b "BC Geographical Names". apps.gov.bc.ca. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
  3. ^ a b c d Canada, Environment and Climate Change (2011-11-25). "Qualicum National Wildlife Area". www.canada.ca. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
  4. ^ Canada, Environment and Climate Change (2015-02-20). "Qualicum National Wildlife Area pamphlet". www.canada.ca. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
  5. ^ a b Wayne Erickson (October 1993). "Garry Oak Ecosystems-- Restricted to southwestern British Columbia, these ecosystems are among the rarest in the province" (PDF). Province of British Columbia Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks.
  6. ^ "Notch Hill". Parksville Qualicum Beach Tourism. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
  7. ^ "Qualicum Beach | The Canadian Encyclopedia". www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  8. ^ a b "History of the Qualicum First Nation | Deep Bay Marine Field Station | Vancouver Island University | Canada". research.viu.ca. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  9. ^ Beach, Town of Qualicum. "Qualicum First Nation". www.qualicumbeach.com. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  10. ^ Turner, M. H. & Trachuk, G. (1986). Little Qualicum Falls Park management plan. https://nrs.objectstore.gov.bc.ca/kuwyyf/little_qualicum_falls_pk_mp_19890609_19aecc7565.pdf
  11. ^ Heath, D. & Wilkin, N. (2003). Rosewall Creek Park purpose statement and zoning plan. https://nrs.objectstore.gov.bc.ca/kuwyyf/rosewall_creek_pk_pszp_20030208_1264919000.pdf
  12. ^ Dawe, Neil K.; White, Eric R. (1986-01-01). "Some aspects of the vegetation ecology of the Nanoose–Bonell estuary, Vancouver Island, British Columbia". Canadian Journal of Botany. 64 (1): 27–34. doi:10.1139/b86-006. ISSN 0008-4026.
  13. ^ Dawe, Neil K.; White, Eric R. (1982-08-01). "Some aspects of the vegetation ecology of the Little Qualicum River estuary, British Columbia". Canadian Journal of Botany. 60 (8): 1447–1460. doi:10.1139/b82-185. ISSN 0008-4026.
  14. ^ "E-Flora BC Atlas Page". linnet.geog.ubc.ca. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
  15. ^ "Phalaris arundinacea". www.fs.usda.gov. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
  16. ^ Ontario Invasive Plant Council. "Invasive Reed Canary Grass. Best Management Practices in Ontario" (PDF). ontario.ca/invasivespecies. Retrieved 10/11/23. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  17. ^ "Reed Canary Grass Invasive Species Profile". Natural Resource Stewardship. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
  18. ^ Beach, Town of Qualicum. "Invasive Knotweeds". www.qualicumbeach.com. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  19. ^ "Invasive plants continue to be a concern for City of Parksville". Parksville Qualicum Beach News. 2022-05-17. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  20. ^ Penner, Derrick (June 2023). "Metro Vancouver steps up its war on invasive species". Vancouver Sun.
  21. ^ "Invasive Plants". www.qbstreamkeepers.ca. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  22. ^ Parks Canada Agency, Government of Canada (2022-11-21). "Non-native plants - Non-native plants: rooting out the invaders". parks.canada.ca. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  23. ^ "Parksville Qualicum Beach Wildlife Management Area | RDN". www.rdn.bc.ca. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  24. ^ "Blue herons identified as a significant predator of B.C.'s juvenile salmon". Parksville Qualicum Beach News. 2021-03-11. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
  25. ^ gov BC. "the great blue heron" (PDF).
  26. ^ "Garry oak". www.natureconservancy.ca. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  27. ^ "VIU biology professor restoring one of Canada's most threatened ecosystems on Nanaimo campus | News | Vancouver Island University | Canada". news.viu.ca. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
  28. ^ "Things to Do | Parksville Qualicum Beach". Parksville Qualicum Beach Tourism. Retrieved 2023-10-26.
  29. ^ Canada, Environment and Climate Change (2015-02-20). "Qualicum National Wildlife Area pamphlet". www.canada.ca. Retrieved 2023-10-26.
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