Appendix 3: Candidate Ecological Benchmark

Source Type: Ecosystem Initiatives

Source Name: Sensitive Ecosystems Inventory: Conservation Manual

Number:11/20

Benchmark:
Rapid population growth on the east coast of Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands has caused the loss or degradation of many sensitive ecosystems. This region is one of four in Canada experiencing the greatest loss of natural systems. Garry oak ecosystems on southeast Vancouver Island, south Okanagan grassland ecosystems, tall-grass prairie ecosystems in Southern Alberta, and Carolinian forests of southern Ontario are all threatened and endangered, and much of the little that remains is disturbed and degraded.

The Sensitive Ecosystems Inventory (SEI) mapped the remaining fragments of rare and fragile terrestrial ecosystems through the eastern coastal lowland of Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands in British Columbia. Ecologically significant lands and important wildlife habitats are fast disappearing from this 4,000 square kilometre study area. Inventory results showed that less than 8 percent of the area remained relatively undisturbed by development.

Sensitive ecosystems, and the wildlife they support, are an important part of the quality of life of the communities within the study area and must be protected.

Wetland ecosystems account for 1.7 percent (7,054 hectares) of the entire SEI area.

Applies to whom: All

Applies to what: Sensitive ecosystems, including wetlands

Applies where:
Eastern coastal lowland of Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands in British Columbia

Reference:
Environment Canada and Province of British Columbia. 2000. Sensitive Ecosystems Inventory: Conservation Manual. Environment Canada, Pacific and Yukon Region, Vancouver, and Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks. Victoria, British Columbia.

Evaluation:

Effective: 5

Effective Comments

Authoritative: 3

Authoritative Comments:
Practically supports the Convention on Biological Diversity; authors are urging the provincial government to adopt an overall policy of "no more development" on "sensitive areas" in the coastal lowland area.

Relevant: 6

Relevant Comments: Ecological context

Sound: 6

Sound Comments: Based on referenced, scientific studies

Straightforward: 5

Straightforward Comments:
If wetland is identified as a sensitive ecosystem in this region, it is a rare, fragile ecosystem in an area that has already been adversely affected by human activities: any adverse effects would be deemed significant.

Practical: 3

Practical Comments:

Total Effective + Authority Score: 8

Total Overall Score: 28

Number: 12/34

Benchmark:
The Sensitive Ecosystems Inventory is a tool that is used to identify areas of concern that CEAA must address. For example, the Canadian Wildlife Service will provide expert advice to a responsible authority under CEAA recommending that impacts to SEI sites due to a project, be avoided or minimised.

Applies to whom: All

Applies to what: Sensitive ecosystems, including wetlands

Applies where:
Eastern coastal lowland of Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands in British Columbia

Reference:
Environment Canada and Province of British Columbia. 2000. Sensitive Ecosystems Inventory: Conservation Manual. Environment Canada, Pacific and Yukon Region, Vancouver, and Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks. Victoria, British Columbia.

Evaluation:

Effective: 5

Effective Comments: Implies residual impacts would be significant

Authoritative: 3

Authoritative Comments:
Practically supports the Convention on Biological Diversity; authors are urging the provincial government to adopt an overall policy of "no more development" on "sensitive areas" in the coastal lowland area.

Relevant: 6

Relevant Comments: Most, although not explicit

Sound: 6

Sound Comments: Based on referenced, scientific studies

Straightforward: 5

Straightforward Comments:

Practical: 3

Practical Comments:

Total Effective + Authority Score: 8

Total Overall Score: 28

Number: 34/33

Benchmark:
Discourage development within or adjacent to wetland ecosystems. Maintain wetland hydrology: Changes to wetland hydrology are the most significant indirect impact to wetlands. Urban wetlands are often degraded by the loss of groundwater recharge caused by impervious area or flood control drainage…Wetland hydrologists may need to be consulted to be determine methods for protecting wetland hydrology. These processes should maintained as follows, unless they pose a safety or property danger. Also…Maintain water quality…; Restrict recreational access...; Restrict livestock access…; Restrict road access to inaccessible wetlands…; Prevent disturbance of nesting or breeding areas...; Control the introduction or spread of invasive plant species…etc.

Applies to whom: All

Applies to what: Sensitive ecosystems, including wetlands

Applies where:
Eastern coastal lowland of Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands in British Columbia

Reference:
Environment Canada and Province of British Columbia. 2000. Sensitive Ecosystems Inventory: Conservation Manual. Environment Canada, Pacific and Yukon Region, Vancouver, and Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks. Victoria, British Columbia.

Evaluation:

Effective: 3

Effective Comments

Authoritative: 3

Authoritative Comments:
Practically supports the Convention on Biological Diversity; authors are urging the provincial government to adopt an overall policy of "no more development" on "sensitive areas" in the coastal lowland area.

Relevant: 6

Relevant Comments: Ecological context

Sound: 6

Sound Comments: Based on referenced, scientific studies

Straightforward: 0

Straightforward Comments: "Discourage development?"

Practical: 3

Practical Comments:

Total Effective + Authority Score: 6

Total Overall Score: 21

Number: 48/23

Benchmark:
Rarity - Due to environmental and geographic factors, wetland ecosystems are naturally rare in the study area relative to other areas of coastal British Columbia and undisturbed wetlands are very rare. In addition, wetlands have declined in the Sensitive Ecosystem Inventory study area due to agriculture, forestry and urban development. Those remaining continue to contribute to the high level of biodiversity of the region.

Fragility - Wetlands are highly vulnerable to a range of disturbance factors, particularly those related to hydrologic change.

High Biodiversity - Most wetlands are nodes of high biological diversity and support a disproportionate number of rare species or plant communities. Most wetlands, particularly mineral wetlands, are extremely productive as breeding and feeding ares for wildlife and they support a high number of habitat niches…Estuarine wetlands are one of the most productive habitats that occur in the SEI area - indeed in the world - and are critical habitats for thousands of wintering waterbirds…Estuaries are also critical to the survival of Pacific salmon. It's in the estuaries where they acclimatise themselves to the changing water salinities when they leave the rivers as smolts and when they return as adults to spawn.

Applies to whom: All

Applies to what: Sensitive ecosystems, including wetlands

Applies where:
Eastern coastal lowland of Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands in British Columbia

Reference:
Environment Canada and Province of British Columbia. 2000. Sensitive Ecosystems Inventory: Conservation Manual. Environment Canada, Pacific and Yukon Region, Vancouver, and Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks. Victoria, British Columbia.

Evaluation:

Effective: 1

Effective Comments:
General statements, ambiguous terms, but would support other benchmarks

Authoritative: 3

Authoritative Comments:
Practically supports the Convention on Biological Diversity; authors are urging the provincial government to adopt an overall policy of "no more development" on "sensitive areas" in the coastal lowland area.

Relevant: 6

Relevant Comments: Ecological context

Sound: 6

Sound Comments: Based on referenced, scientific studies

Straightforward: 1

Straightforward Comments:

Practical: 6

Practical Comments:

Total Effective + Authority Score: 4

Total Overall Score: 22

|  Appendix 3 - Ecosystem Initiatives |