MANAGEMENT INDICATOR HABITATS: A PRODUCT GUIDE AND THE RIPARIAN ZONE

Barbara Lee Thornson

B.Sc. Universi ty o f Victoria 1982

RESEARCH PROJECT SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF

THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF

MASTER O f NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

IN THE

NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT PROGRAlVl

REPORT NO. 34

@ Barbara Lee Thomson 1986

SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY

February 1986

A l l r ights reserved. This work may no t be reproduced in whole or in part, b y photocopy

or other means, wi thout permission o f the author

APPROVAL

Name: Barbara Lee Thomson

Degree: Master o f Natural Resources Management

T i t le o f Research Project :

Management Indicator Habitats: A Product Guide and the Riparian

Zone

Examining Commi t tee

Senior Supervisor: Dr. A l t o n Harestad Assistant Professor Department o f Bio logical Sciences S imon Fraser Un ivers i ty

Mr. Ne i l endr ricks on Instructor Natural Resources Management Program S imon Fraser Univers i ty

Date Approved: February 1986

. . I I

PARTIAL COPYRIGHT LICENSE

I hereby g ran t t o Simon Fraser University t h e r i g h t t o lend

my thes is , p r o j e c t o r extended essay ( t h e t i t l e o f which i s shown below)

t o users o f the Simon Fraser U n i v e r s i t y L ib rary , and t o make p a r t i a l o r

s i n g l e c o ~ i e s on ly f o r such users o r i n response t o a request from the

Eibrary o f any o the r un ive rs i t y , o r o ther educational i n s t i t u t i o n , on

i t s own behal f o r f o r one o f i t s users. I f u r t h e r agree t h a t permission

f o r m u l t i p l e copying of t h i s work f o r scho la r l y purposes may be granted

by me o r the Dean o f Graduate Studies. I t i s understood t h a t copying

o r p u b l i c a t i o n o f t h i s work f o r f i n a n c i a l ga in s h a l l no t be allowed

wi thout my w r i t t e n permission.

T i t l e o f Thesis/Project/Extended Essay

Management Indicator Habitats: A Product Guide and the Riparian

Zone

Author: - (s igna tu re )

Barbara Thornson

, -7-1 /;7 , / C f h '

(da te 1

ABSTRACT

The Ministr ies o f Environment and Forests are preparing Wildl i fe Habitat

Handbooks t o assist resource managers in making informed decisions. The

purpose o f this paper is t o provide a product guide fo r a component o f these

handbooks: the Management lndicator Habitat chapters. The Management lnd~cator

Habitat chapters rev iew habitat classes or elements o f special significance for

wi ld l i fe use. The chapters define the habitat, describe wi ld l i fe use and human

impacts, and present guidelines fo r management o f the habitat for wi ld l i fe.

This research paper includes a Management lndicator Habitat chapter fo r the

Riparian Zone o f the Southern lnterior Natural Resources Area. The high diversity

and product iv i ty o f vegetation in the riparian zone creates an important habitat

type fo r w i ld l i fe . The presence o f water, surrounding gentle topography and high

soi l product iv i ty also make this area in high demand for man's activit ies.

Forestry, agriculture, industry, urban development, transportation corridors and

recreational act iv i t ies may all be located in the riparian zone. Riparian habitat is

naturally scarce in the Southern Interior and is decreasing in area. Management

o f the riparian zone fo r w i ld l i f e involves control o f development causing further

habitat loss and reclamation o f damaged sites.

The Wi ld l i fe Habitat Handbooks project is a resource management too l that

w i l l present informat ion on wi ld l i fe and their habitat. This informat ion w i l l help

ident i fy potential conf l ic ts between w i ld l i f e and other resource uses. The

incorporation o f the Wi ld l i fe Habitat Handbooks into the resource planning

process should result in greater exposure o f w i ld l i f e concerns and develop a

greater understanding and appreciation o f w i ld l i fe in resource management.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Financial support for this degree was funded through a post-graduate

scholarship f r om the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council o f

Canada. Research expenses were paid b y the B.C. Ministry o f Environment.

I would especially like t o thank Neil Hendrickson fo r his support and

advice. Other individuals who deserve recognit ion and thanks for their contribution

towards the f inal product are A l ton Harestad (Simon Fraser University), Andrew

Harcombe (Ministry o f Environment) and Don Eastman (Ministry o f Environment).

I would also l ike t o acknowledge m y fr iends and fami ly fo r their support,

and the help received f rom the support staf f o f the MRM department. Finally, m y

thanks t o Ginny fo r helping t o put everything into perspective.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Approval ......................................................................................................................................... i i

. . . Abstract ........................................................................................................................................ 1 1 1

Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................... iv

List o f Tables ......................................................................................................................... v i i i

............................................................................................................................ List of Figures

List o f Plates ...............................................................................................................................

I . Introduct ion .........................................................................................................................

W i l d l i f e Habitat Management .........................................................................................

Wi ld l i f e Habitat Handbooks ............................................................................................

Wi ld l i f e Habitat Management- Background .....................................................

B.C. Wi ld l i f e Habitat Handbooks Project .........................................................

........................... P i lo t Project- Southern Inter ior Natural Resources Area

Wi ld l i f e Habitat Handbooks- H is tory ................................................................

......................................... Components o f the W i l d l i f e Habitat Handbooks

I I . Management Indicator Habitat: Product Guide .......................................................

Purpose o f Management Indicator Habitat Chapter ..............................................

Habitat Chapter ................................................................................................................

Purpose o f Chapter ..............................................................................................

De f in i t i on o f Habitat Class or Element ........................................................

Ecological Impl icat ions and Wi ld l i f e Use .....................................................

Special W i ld l i f e Use Data ..................................................................................

............................................................................................ Management l mpacts

Management Guidelines .......................................................................................

............................................................................................................................ Summary

I I I . A n Example o f a Management Indicator Habitat Chapter .................................

ln t roduct i on .......................................................................................................................

...................................................................... Chapter Purpose and Object ives

......................................................................... Southern Interior- Study Area

......................................................................................................... Riparian Zone

The Signi f icance o f Riparian i n the Southern Inter ior .............................

....................................................... Biophysical Descr ipt ion o f the Riparian Zone

Dis t r ibu t ion o f Riparian Zones in the Southern Interior ..........................

Topography. Edaphic Features and Cl imate ..................................................

................................................................................... Vegetat ion Characterist ics

/- - .... \ ........... ........................................................................................ Factors in Succession @

............................................................................................. Vegetat ive D ivers i ty

W i ld l i f e Use in the Riparian Zone ............................................................................

Amphibians ..............................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................... Repti les

Birds ..........................................................................................................................

Mammals ..................................................................................................................

Special Considerat ions ...................................................................................................

................................................................... Nonw i ld l i f e Uses of the Riparian Zone

Transportat ion .........................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................... Industry

.................................................................................................................... Forestry

Urban .........................................................................................................................

Agr icul ture ...............................................................................................................

Recreation ................................................................................................................

Water Management ...............................................................................................

........................................................................ Management o f the Riparian Habitat

Guidelines for Use .............................................................................................. 49

....................................................................................................................... . IV Conclusions 53 ... -

Appendix I .................................................................................................................................. 57

................................................................................................................................. Appendix I I 59

Appendix I I I ................................................................................................................................ 64

References ................................................................................................................................... 81

v i i

LIST OF TABLES

Table Page

........................................................................ 2.1 Species-Habitat Relat ionships Mat r ix 15

3.1 Vegetat ion Types in the Southern Inter ior ............................................................. 27

v i i i

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure Page

1.1 Proposed Handbook Regions .......................................................................................... 5

3.1 Southern Interior Natural Resources Area ............................................................... 19

LIST OF PLATES

Plate Page

McDiamid Meadows. Simi lkameen River. B.C. ........................................................

Riparian vegetat ion i n a cul t ivated val ley. Mon te Creek . B.C. ........................

Fresh emergent wet land. A l l i son Creek. B.C. .........................................................

Fresh emergent wet land. Okanagan River oxbow. Ol iver . B.C. .........................

Shrub carr. Mon te Creek. B.C. ....................................................................................

Riparian fo res t . Sirni lkameen River. B.C. .................................................................

........................................................................... Simi lkameen River. Keremeos. B.C.

Aspen copses along drainage gull ies. Merr i t t . B.C. .............................................

Dust c loud raised b y passing vehicle. Knutsford. B.C. .......................................

Simi lkameen River and Highway 3. Princeton. B.C. .............................................

Cul t ivated f ie ld. Campbell Creek. B.C. ......................................................................

Man-made channel. Okanagan River. B.C. ................................................................

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Wi ld l i f e Habitat Manaqement

W i ld l i f e habitat management as a resource p o l i c y is generat ing ever

increasing interest throughout North Amer ica. The need t o integrate w i l d l i f e

resource interests in to management decis ions i s becoming m o r e important as the

value o f w i l d l i f e and the need t o main ta in or enhance their populat ions is being

recognized. i n Br i t ish Columbia, there is a m o v e t o ac t i ve l y incorporate w i l d l i f e

concerns i n to the resource management process as the numbers o f w i l d l i f e

interest groups increase and their demands become m o r e complex (Robinson

1983).

I n B.C., w i l d l i f e and w i l d l i f e habitat management goa ls are pr imar i l y achieved

through interminister ia l cooperat ion. Because m o s t w i l d l i f e habitat i s associated

w i t h the fo res t land base, it i s managed b y the M i n i s t r y of Forests, al though the

w i l d l i f e goals are set b y the M in i s t r y o f Environment. T o ensure that w i l d l i f e . interests are n o t ignored i n f o res t development, management t o o l s are being

designed that w i l l be used t o incorporate w i l d l i f e considerat ions i n to the resource

management planning process.

The purpose o f th is paper i s t o deve lop and describe a component o f a

w i l d l i f e habi tat management t o o l : the Management Indicator Habitat chapters f o r

the B.C. W i l d l i f e Habitat Handbooks project . The paper i s d iv ided i n to four

sect ions:

1. A descr ip t ion o f the W i l d l i f e Habitat Handbooks project .

2. The me thod t o be f o l l o w e d i n the design and comp le t i on o f a s ingle

component o f the Wi ld l i fe Habitat Handbooks project : a Product Guide for

the Management lndicator Habitat chapters.

3. An example o f a Management lndicator Habitat chapter fo r the Wi ld l i fe

Habitat Handbooks project : The Riparian Zone o f the Southern Interior

Natural Resources Area.

4. A brief evaluation o f the B.C. Wi ld l i fe Habitat Handbooks project and

concluding statements.

Wi ld l i fe Habitat Handbooks

W i l d l i f e Habitat Management - Background

A s has occurred w i t h other issues, the interest i n wi ld l i fe, i ts ecology and

habitat has largely arisen out o f a crisis situation. In recent years, the number

o f plant and animal species that have been added t o the endangered species l is t

has grown, whi le the number and size o f potential w i ld l i f e habitat sites have

decreased. Resource development projects are expanding further into remote areas,

accompanied b y shi f ts in public perception regarding the extent o f the remaining . frontier.

In the U.S., public pressure in the 1960s led t o the creation o f federal

legislat ion between 1969 and 1976l that required an assessment o f the impacts

o f planned resource developments on the environment and restr icted those

developments having the potential t o disrupt ident i f ied w i ld l i f e populations

(Thomas 1982b). Canadian approaches t o resource management d i f fer f r om those

in the U.S. due t o the different pol i t ical systems. Mos t w i ld l i f e and forest

resources are under provincial jurisdiction, thus creating the need fo r legislat ion

'National Environmental Pol icy Ac t 1969, Endangered Species Conservation Ac t 1969, National Forest Management Ac t 1976.

t o be enacted at this level rather than federal ly (Armson 1985).

Under B.C. legislation, w i ld l i f e managers, in the Ministry o f Environment,

have the power t o manage w i ld l i f e populations through control o f hunting i activities. However, the management o f w i ld l i fe habitat is control led by foresters, 1

through the Mir ' ls t ry o f Forests, who may thus have a greater impact on wi ld l i fe i

than the wi ld l i fe managers (Bunnell and Eastman 1976, Demarchi 1985). i

In B.C., an interministerial referral system is used t o incorporate w i ld l i f e

concerns into forest management actions. However, due t o l imi ted s ta f f and the

numbers o f referrals, w i ld l i f e managers are unable t o respond t o each individual

forest management action, but must re ly on a standard set o f protect ion clauses

governing most potential w i ld l i f e issues (Demarchi 1985). As the demand fo r

timber increases, available w i ld l i f e habitat decreases and a greater need fo r

consideration o f w i ld l i f e issues is created. Act ion must be taken at the planning

stage o f resource developments t o integrate forest and w i ld l i f e management

(Armson 1985). To solve conf l ic ts arising about resource use, forest and w i ld l i f e

managers need t o understand and appreciate the goals and objectives o f each

others' resource sector (Demarchi 1985, lnnes 1985). However, before forest

managers can be expected t o consider w i ld l i f e values, wi ld l i fe po l icy needs to

be endorsed b y the highest levels o f government t o ensure ongoing funding and

commitment (Surrendi 1983, lnnes 1985). Thus, direct communication between the

two management agencies must improve, and po l icy recognizing w i ld l i f e resources

must be implemented before fu l l integration o f forest and w i ld l i f e resources can

be achieved.

B.C. W i l d l i f e Habitat Handbooks Project

The provincial approach to wi ldl i fe planning is reflected by a trend in

policy and leg~slat ion towards linking wildl i fe to their habitat and their response

to its alteration (Harcombe 1984). The B.C. Wildl i fe Habitat Handbooks project has

been created as an approach to help integrate wi ldl i fe goals into multiple

resource planning in the province. The Wildlife Habitat Handbooks for each o f the

eight regions in the province wi l l be a synthesis of technical expertise and

resource inventory data (Demarchi 1985). The project is part of an interministerial

program entitled: "The development of Wildl i fe Habitat Handbooks for the Forest

and Rangelands of B.C. and associated projects".

The basic goals for the handbooks are to enable the manager to make

better analyses and decisions in meeting wildl i fe goals and objectives. This wi l l

be achieved by applying knowledge of species-habitat relationships to coordinated

planning and management of forest and rangeland (Harcombe 1984). The

handbooks w i l l not only supply wildlife-habitat information for integrated planning

purposes, but also serve to communicate the concerns o f wi ldl i fe managers to . managers o f other resources (Harcombe 1984).

Pi lot Project- Southern lnter ior Natural Resources Area

The Southern lnterior Natural Resources Area has been selected as the pilot

project area for the B.C. Wildl i fe Habitat Handbooks project (Fig. 1.1). In addition

to the handbook for the Southern Interior Natural Resources Area, product guides

wi l l be written detailing the steps to be taken in writ ing each chapter of the

handbooks.

Fig. 1.1 Proposed Handbook Regions (Harcombe 1984) I

The pilot project wi l l be used to set up the appropriate mechanisms by

which the handbooks in the remaining seven regions can be completed. The

project, led b y a regional coordinator, is funded by both the Ministries of

Environment and Forests. Contributing authors w i l l include government personnel

of both ministries and the Provincial Museum, and nongovernment, academic and

research specialists.

W i l d l i f e Habitat Handbooks- History

The concept for the B.C. Wildl i fe Habitat Handbooks project has evolved

through observation of a similar approach to integrated resource planning adopted

by the United States. The Wildl i fe and Fish Habitat Relationships program,

administered through the USDA Forest Service. has been used to coordinate the

organization o f wildlife-habitat information systems created at the regional level

(Nelson and Salwasser 1982). Wildl i fe resource issues have been identified, and

existing information on wi ldl i fe species and their habitat requirements collated

and organized. Through the program, habitat handbooks are being wri t ten for each

forest region. The information arising f rom the program w i l l aid managers in L

predicting wi ld l i fe response to habitat changes. In addition, coordination o f

existing wi ldl i fe data w i l l improve, the evolution o f integrated resource planning

tools w i l l be facilitated, and information needs w i l l be identif ied (Nelson and

Salwasser 1982).

Problems wirh the U.S. system were encountered due to the lack of

planning in the early stages o f the program. Because not all necessary

components o f the project were identif ied at the start, steps had to be retraced

to complete the habitat-relationships models. Once the system was established,

Program managers began identifying the processes t o be fol lowed in the

development o f the project in n e w regions (Harcombe. personal communication).

By ident i fy ing the steps necessary t o comple te the handbooks and t o organize

the exist ing data bases, a standardized integrated planning procedure IS being

made avai lable nat ionwide.

I n B.C., the benef i ts o f ident i fy ing the method at the start o f the project

have been recognized. Before handbooks are wr i t ten , product guides stat ing the

processes t o f o l l o w and the required components f o r each chapter are prepared.

Using the f o r m a t outl ined, wi ld l i fe-habi tat handbooks can b e prepared fo r each

region i n the province. The handbooks concentrate o n w i l d l i f e species and habitat

important t o that area. Because the handbook design is consistent throughout the

province, individual handbook chapters m a y be used f o r more than one region,

thus min imiz ing repeti t ion.

Components of the W i l d l i f e Habitat Handbooks

The W i l d l i f e Habitat Handbooks are d iv ided in to sect ions on: species notes,

habitat c lassi f icat ion, spec i f i c habitat elements, management indicator species,

management indicator habitats, and vegetat ion management practices. From this '

informat ion, the species-habitat relat ionships models that are used t o predict

w i l d l i f e habitat responses t o planning act ions are designed (Harcombe (in press)).

The fo rma t f o r the species notes includes summary descript ions o f :

1. taxonomy

2. d ist r ibut ion, seasonal i ty and abundance

3. species-habitat requirements

4. l i f e h i s to ry

Species notes are wr i t t en f o r a l l species ident i f ied i n each project area and

represent a compi la t ion o f data co l lec ted in B.C. and other sources where

applicable (Harcombe (in press)).

The habitat c lassi f icat ions are used t o i den t i f y the resources essential t o

w i l d l i f e and t o relate land management ac t iv i t ies t o successional changes. Habitat

classes are def ined b y their dominant vegetat ion and associated phys iognomic

characteristics. The descr ipt ions include (Harcombe (in press)):

1. vegetat ion

2. successional stages

3. environmental set t ing (physical locat ion, adjacent vegeta t ion and associated

w i l d l i f e species)

4. distr ibut ion.

The speci f ic habitat elements are at t r ibutes important t o w i l d l i f e . The value

o f habitat e lements are ra ted through coe f f i c i en ts that es t imate habitat capabi l i ty

and the importance o f that habitat t o w i ld l i fe .

Due t o the imprac t ica l i ty o f spec i f i ca l ly managing f o r a l l w i l d l i f e species, a

subset o f species i s ident i f ied f o r each region as management inaicator species.

These species are selected o n the basis o f their s im i l a r i t y i n l i f e requisites t o

other species i n the area, their economic and socia l importance, their sens i t i v i ty

t o habitat changes and species status (Harcombe (in press)). Detai led in format ion

is presented f o r each management indicator species.

I n some instances, habitat m a y be easier t o manage o r manipulate than

w i l d l i f e populat ions. Habitat classes/elements important t o w i l d l i f e but in l im i ted

supply or sensi t ive t o disturbance are emphasized. These management indicator

habitats m a y represent more than one habitat c lass or successional stage w i th in

a habitat class, or spec i f i c habitat elements. Discussion o f management indicator

habitats encompasses habitat def in i t ion, w i l d l i f e and other uses, and habitat

management guidelines.

To improve understanding between personnel performing resource

management activit ies and those evaluating their impact, a discussion o f

vegetation management practices is presented. For the purposes o f the handbook,

attention is focused on si lviculture and range management. Using the informat ion

supplied in the text. w i ld l i f e habitat relationship models are designed. From these

models, the manager can evaluate the potential e f fec ts o f management actions on

identif ied species or their habitats. With the informat ion provided in the Wi ld l i fe

Habitat Handbooks, the resource manager should be better able t o include wi ld l i fe

values in resource management decisions and thus improve the degree o f

resource integration in the planning process.

CHAPTER I1

MANAGEMENT INDICATOR HABITAT: PRODUCT GUIDE

The f o l l o w i n g sect ion describes the method t o be f o l l o w e d in preparing a

Management lndicator Habitat chapter f o r the B.C. Wi ld l i f e Habitat Handbooks

project .

Purpose of Manaqement lndicator Habitat Chaoter

The pr imary goal o f the sect ions o f the W i l d l i f e Habitat Handbooks on

Management lndicator Habitats (MIH) i s t o araw at tent ion t o the special ized

habitat classes or habitat e lements present i n any g iven area. The chapters

i den t i f y habitat f o r m s that are o f special s igni f icance t o either:

1. a f e w species f o r a l l l i f e requis i tes or uses, or

2. many species f o r a f e w t o several uses.

The importance o f ident i fy ing these habitat classes or e lements is o f t e n

magni f ied because they m a y n o t be perceived t o have any value. Habitats crucial

t o the surv ival o f species or species groups m a y appear t o have re lat ively l i t t le

existence value t o the developer or planner. The habitat m a y cover such a smal l

area that i t s use or importance i s n o t obv ious and it may be thought

ins igni f icant as a source o f w i l d l i f e habitat.

Through these chapters, the importance o f spec i f i c habitat classes o r

e lements t o the existence or cont inued wel l -being o f the associated w i l d l i f e

species should be conveyed. Using the general survey o f in format ion prov ided i n

these chapters t o evaluate the potent ia l impl icat ions o n w i l d l i f e i n the locale, the

manager/planner should be able t o make an in fo rmed decis ion on use i n the

area.

I t is important t o present MlHs separately because the habitat might no t

otherwise be indiv idual ly ident i f ied. Because these habitats m a y represent on l y a

very smal l p ropor t ion o f the land area, considerat ion o f their re lat ive importance

m a y be over looked. By spec i f i ca l ly ident i fy ing these elements f o r the

manager/planner, this potent ia l p rob lem can be overcome.

Habitat Chapter

One long-term goal o f the handbooks pro jec t i s t o present i n fo rma t ion on

al l important w i l d l i f e habitats i n the province. M o s t habitat classes/elements are

present t o some extent i n a l l regions, but m a y vary between regions. T o

min imize unnecessary repet i t ion, i n fo rma t ion presented through the M I H chapters

i s at a broad, general level appl icable t o the habitat anywhere in the province,

f o l l o w e d b y a more in-depth descr ipt ion spec i f i c t o the study region. By the . t i m e the handbooks f o r a l l regions are completed, m o s t habitat classes/elements

found in the prov ince w i l l be described.

The chapter has s ix sections, and f o l l o w s a design s imi lar t o that o f

Thomas et a / . (1979a. 1979b). Where appropriate, i l lustrat ions or photographs are

used t o further emphasize observat ions made w i th in the text. Sources used in

gathering i n fo rma t ion include l i terature reviews, personal in terv iews w i t h f i e l d

personnel and professionals, and f i e l d observations.

The top ics covered in the chapters include:

1. Purpose o f Chapter

Def in i t ion o f Habitat C lassElement

Ecological Impl icat ions and Wi ld l i f e Use

Special W i ld l i f e Use Data

Management Impacts

Management Guidelines

Ten poss ib le management indicator habitats are ident i f ied fo r the Southern

Interior Handbook Natural Resources area (Harcombe (in press)). These include

habitat classes (riparian zone, o ld-growth successional stages, edges, and

man-made habitats) and habitat e lements (snags, d o w n materials, lakes and

potholes, c l i f f s , talus and caves).

Purpose of Chapter

The purpose o f the chapter is out l ined in a short summary t o indicate w h y

the habitat , i s considered important t o w i l d l i f e . This sec t ion i s an int roduct ion t o

the chapter, serv ing t o d raw the manager's at tent ion t o the habitat and associated

informat ion. T w o major purposes o f management indicator habitats are t o

"red-f lag" habitats o f special importance t o w i l d l i f e and t o prov ide more detai led

habitat in format ion f o r selected speci.es groups (eg. p r imary cav i t y nest ing birds).

Defini t ion of Habitat Class or Element

The chapter c lear ly def ines and describes the habitat class o r e lement

including:

1. when appropriate, a descr ipt ion o f the vegetat ive communi t ies and vegetat ive

strata found i n the habitat;

2. a descr ipt ion o f the physical components o f the habitat, including

characterist ics such as local terrain, bodies o f water, drainage patterns o r

networks, or man-made structures;

3. a descript ion o f unique features, especially those that may provide the

necessary requirements fo r survival;

4. when appropriate, a descript ion o f the successional forms and processes

the habitat or vegetative communit ies;

5. a descript ion o f the areal extent o f the habitat. By detailing the areal

extent o f the habitat, apprec~at ion o f i ts rarity, sensi t iv i ty and/or importance

may be developed.

The physical descript ion i s suf f ic ient ly detailed t o enable ident i f icat ion o f the

habitat in the f ield. A diagramatic cross-section o f the habitat is presented t o

il lustrate the vert ical and/or horizontal strati f ication.

Ecological Implications and W i l d l i f e Use

This section emphasizes the ecological implications and features o f the

habitat class/element that are important t o w i ld l i f e species and t o ecosystem

functioning. I: outl ines the characteristics or vegetative and physical components

o f the habitat that account f o r i ts special signif icance fo r wi ld l i fe use. This b

section includes:

a l is t o f the major w i ld l i f e species or species groups that uti l ize the

habitat;

reasons that the habitat class/element is important f o r w i ld l i f e and other

uses. For example, fa l len logs are important fo r providing w i ld l i f e habitat,

fo r mineral cycl ing, f o r nutrient immobil ization, and f o r f i re fuel assessment;

the general l i f e requisites (e.9. food, cover, water) that the habitat

class/element provides f o r w i ld l i fe (e.9. cavit ies generally provide

reproductive habitat but may be used fo r roosting, overwintering, f ood

storage, or shelter).

Special W i l d l i f e Use Data

This sec t ion def ines the spec i f i cs o f w i l d l i f e use associated w i t h the habitat

class/element. W i l d l i f e use o f a spec i f i c habitat e lement m a y b e res t r i c ted t o a

f e w species or the habitat m a y on l y be used f o r specia l ized purposes. H o w the

habitat e lements are used b y these species should be ident i f ied. Conversely,

habitat classes m a y receive a b road range o f use b y a number o f species f o r a

var iety o f purposes. The l i f e requis i tes p rov ided b y the habitat classes are no ted

f o r indiv idual species or species groups. Selected references are used t o

i l lustrate the species-habitat re la t i onsh~ps . These re lat ionships are wi ld l i fe-habi tat

models. The basic set o f mode ls are comp le ted f o r a l l habi tats under other

components o f the habitat handbook. However, i f special data are required t o

bui ld mode ls f o r the management indicator habitat class o r element, th is special

data set must b e p rov ided as part o f th is sect ion.

Through reference t o t he mater ia l co l lec ted o n habi tat use, the manager

should be able t o determine the impact o f habi tat management act ions o n

speci f ic w i l d l i f e species o r species groups. The data o n species-habitat L

relat ionships are presented in mat r ix f o r m show ing w i l d l i f e uses versus habi tat

components (Table 2.1). Depending o n the number o f w i l d l i f e species present in

the habitat and the s imi la r i t ies o f their use, data are presented f o r ei ther

individual species or f o r species gui lds (Short and Burnham 1982).

The matr ices i den t i f y the habitat components and h o w they are used b y

each species. For example, t ree bo les are used b y hooded mergansers f o r

reproduction. The a i m in present ing i n fo rma t ion in th i s f o r m i s that it a l l ows the

manager t o determine the spec i f i c impact a scheduled use w i l l have o n var ious

w i l d l i f e species in the habitat.

Table 2.1. Species-Habitat Relationships Matrix.

SPECIES HABITAT COMPONENT

Hooded Alder White-tailed Spotted merganser flycatcher deer f rog

-

Air F

Tree canopy C

Tree bole R

Shrubs C F, C

Ground C F, I3 C

Water F, C F, R, C

(Uses: F =Food, R =Reproduction, C =Cover) Note: Adapted f r om Harcombe (in press)

The matrices have t w o potential uses:

1. i f a decision has been made t o manage an area fo r a particular wi ld l i fe . species, the manager can use the matrices t o determine which habitat

components must be present t o support the species.

2. i f nonwi ld l i fe uses are being planned fo r an area, the manager can predict

which w i ld l i f e species w i l l be af fected b y interference, reduction, or

destruction o f a specif ic habitat class or element.

Thus, b y knowing what the potential w i ld l i fe implications a nonwi ld l i fe use

might have, the manager is given the opportunity t o compare alternative uses,

and select the one that interferes the least w i t h w i ld l i f e objectives.

Management l mpacts

This sect ion is used t o ident i fy the major users o f the habitat and their

management impacts. I n habitats associated w i t h terrestr ia l communi t ies, impacts

on successional development o f vegetat ion are ident i f ied. The e f fec ts o f habitat

management o n w i l d l i f e ar t examined. Al though t imber management considerat ions

are the pr imary use considered, other user groups having s igni f icant impact on

the habitat are included.

This section, p r imar i l y a imed at nonw i ld l i f e uses, p rov ides an analysis o f

the potent ia l development pressures o r compet ing uses i n th is habitat. I t includes

the threats t o habitat v iab i l i t y f r o m extract ive o r heavy consumpt ive uses. Again,

the sec t ion s tar ts b y detai l ing the general uses and prob lems faced b y a l l such

habitats i n a l l regions and ends b y i den t i f y i ng those a f fec t i ng the habitat i n the

handbook region. I n s o m e cases, the threat m a y no t b e due t o resource

explo i tat ion a lone but t o the sens i t i v i ty o f the habitat t o any outs ide disturbance.

These concerns must be fu l l y presented f o r a l l habitats examined.

Management Guidelines

Each chapter ends w i t h a summary o f management impl icat ions and/or

recommended guidel ines t o managers. This sec t ion l i s ts poss ib le do's and don't's

f o i habitat management i n te rms o f w i l d l i f e use. Management act ions that

negat ively a f fec t w i l d l i f e use are identi f ied. I n s i tuat ions where habitat

disturbance i s inevitable, s teps that can be taken t o min imize impacts on w i l d l i f e

are outlined.

I t is an under ly ing premise that communicat ion between resource managers

and planners w i t h w i l d l i f e personnel i s essential. Whether o r n o t the steps

chosen incorporate wi ld l i fe goals is secondary t o the fact that the decisions are

made wi th the fu l l knowledge o f the potential or absolute impacts.

Summary

Using the informat ion presented through the MIH chapter, the manager should

be able to evaluate habitat alterations and t h e ~ r potential impacts on wi ld l i fe.

A chapter on Management lndicator Habitats consists o f six sections:

1. Purpose o f Chapter

2. Def in i t ion o f Habitat Class/Element

3. Ecological Implications and Wi ld l i fe use

4. Special Wi ld l i fe Use Data

5. Management Impacts

6. Management Guidelines

The chapters on Management lndicator Habitats i d e ~ t i f y the importance o f

each selected habitat and the reasons fo r i ts importance. The wri ter must keep

in mind the l imi tat ions o f the informat ion being presented. The chapters represent

a synopsis o f the available knowledge regarding each habitat and i ts associated

species. Because o f the o f ten inadequate understanding o f the l i f e requisites o f

all but a f e w economically important species, the chapters only serve as

informat ion pools w i th recommendations for use. Therefore, the chapters are not

necessarily t o be used only t o answer questions regarding habitat use, but t o

stimulate further interest t o determine why or how the habitat is important t o a

broad range o f w i ld l i f e species.

CHAPTER Ill

AN EXAMPLE OF A MANAGEMENT INDICATOR HABITAT CHAPTER

This sect ion presents an example o f a Management lndicator Habitat chapter

for the 6.C. Wi ld l i fe Habitat Handbooks project : the Riparian Zone, Southern

lnterior Natural Resources Area.

lntroduct ion

Chapter Purpose and Objectives

The riparian zone was chosen as a Management lndicator Habitat fo r the

Wi ld l i fe Habitat Handbooks project's Southern lnterior Natural Resources Area

because:

1. the diversi ty and product iv i ty o f vegetation in the zone creates an important

habitat type f o r w i ld l i fe , and

2. the presence o f water, the surrounding gentle topography and the high soi l

product iv i ty make this an area in high demand fo r man's activities. L

Because the riparian zone i s only a minor component o f the total land area, i t

is susceptible t o overuse. Thus, t o ensure the preservation o f riparian sites for

wi ld l i fe, management guidelines must be established before further development

proceeds. By recognizing the existence and nature o f land-use conf l ic ts in the

riparian zone, better management o f this scarce habitat w i l l be possible.

Southern lnterior- Study Area

The Southern lnterior Natural Resources Areal (Fig. 3.1) is located in the dry

or very, dry c l imat ic region (Mitchell and Green 1981). The area is divided into

lhereinafter termed the Southern lnterior

18

Fig. 3.1 Southern Interior Natural Resources Area

t w o biotic regions based on physiography, climate and plant community patterns:

the Thompson Plateau t o the north and the Okanagan Ranges t o the south

(Harcombe 1984).

Riparian Zone

The riparian zone is the aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem alongside fresh

water. The vegetation bordering a watercourse or waterbody, the active river

f loodplain and, is some cases, the most recent river terrace, are all part of the

riparian zone. Generally, the vegetation is distinct f r om that o f surrounding

uplands (Odum 1979, Thomas et a / . 1973a). The zone is characterized by periodic

or seasonal so i l saturation f r om f lood action and seepage (Ewel 1979). Due to

the high moisture and nutrient levels maintained and recharged through f lood

action, vegetative biomass is greater on these sites than on surrounding slopes

(Thomas 1979). The more diverse and luxuriant growth in the riparian zone

creates a greater number o f potential niches, attracting a wide range and large

numbers o f w i ld l i f e species.

Riparian zones vary in size and complexi ty due t o characteristics o f the 6

water source and physical parameters such as gradient, aspect, topography, soi l ,

water quality, water velocity, elevation, and surrounding and upstream plant

communities (Thomas et a / . 1979a, Dealy er a / . 1981). Riparian areas generally

represent a very small proport ion o f land area (Thomas et a / . 1979a).

For the purpose o f this chapter, the aquatic component o f the riparian zone

w i l l not be discussed although i t is recognized that the aquatic and terrestrial

systems interact. In the Southern Interior, habitat classes supporting riparian

vegetation include Lacustrine, Pond, Fresh Emergent Wetlands, Shrub Carr, Fast and

Slow Riverine and Riparian Forest.

The Significance of Riparian i n the Southern Interior

The riparian zone attracts large numbers of diverse wi ldl i fe due to its high

productivity. In addition. the zone IS an important stopover along the migration

routes of many birds and is a migration corridor for large mammals. The hot,

dry climate found in the Southern lnterior is unique to the province. Wildlife

species normally restricted to more southernly climes inhabit low elevation

riparian communities in the Southern Interior.

In the Southern Interior, the shortage of available riparian habitat is of

prime concern to wi ldl i fe managers. Throughout the region, riparian vegetation

near settlements has been removed permanently through construction. In areas

used for grazing, haying or forestry, the length of t ime the habitat is removed

from wildl i fe production depends upon the intensity of use and modifications

made. Because the majority o f riparian areas in the region have been allocated

to single uses, there is a need to conserve existing sites for uses compatible

with wildlife.

B i o ~ h v s i c a l Descr ipt ion of the Riparian Zone

Distribution of Riparian Zones i n the Southern lnterior

. Riparian vegetat ion i n the Southern lnterior is p r imar i l y res t r i c ted t o the

smaller r iver systems. General ly, the South Thompson and Thompson Rivers pass

through arid steppelands devo id o f r iparian vegetat ion. Smal l c lumps o f r iparian

vegetat ion m a y be found in areas escaping f l o o d ac t i v i t y a long the adjacent

riverbank or on sandbars. The North Thompson River val ley, although i t passes

through a c l imat ica l ly mois ter fo res t zone, is largely cul t ivated or developed t o

the r iver 's edge. A f e w o f the larger islands i n the r iver s t i l l support r iparian

vegetation.

The Okanagan val ley i s developed along the f u l l length o f i t s r iver system.

Human set t lement i s concentrated i n the northern and mid-regions o f the valley.

Throughout the val ley, t ransportat ion routes and development have occupied o r

disturbed the lake and r iver margins, leaving l i t t l e natural r iparian vegetat ion. In

the southern val ley, pockets o f natural r iparian vegetat ion remain a long oxbows

created b y channelizat ion o f the Okanagan River. W i t h t ime, water levels w i l l b

decl ine in the oxbows, a l ter ing the vegetat ive compos i t i on f r o m the exist ing

deciduous trees and shrubs t o that o f surrounding grassland communi t ies.

The Simi lkameen i s the on ly major r iver support ing s igni f icant amounts o f

r iparian vegetat ion i n the Southern Interior. A s has occurred elsewhere, roads

were constructed along the r iver margins. However, r iparian vegetat ion remains i n

areas removed f r o m the roads, and on opposing banks (Plate I).

There are very f e w r iver val leys i n the Southern lnter ior no t developed t o

some degree. M o s t smal ler r iver va l leys are cul t ivated at the l ower e levat ions

9 ,

Plate I. McDiamid Meadows, Similkameen River, B.C.

and many support logging at higher elevations. Because o f this use, riparian

vegetation does not generally occur in large continuous strips. Isolated pockets

o f riparian vegetation occur along rivers or on ephemeral streams. Thus, riparian

vegetation is primari ly found in the smaller systems in isolated, broken clumps,

interrupted b y road networks and cult ivation (Plate 11). A t higher elevations having

l i t t le disturbance, riparian vegetation i s generally restr icted t o the immediate

streamside and is encroached upon by the surrounding coniferous forests.

Topography, Edaphic Features and Climate

The term riparian refers t o those areas w i th so i l moisture suf f ic ient ly high

t o support plant and animal communit ies that d i f fer f r o m the surrounding uplands.

These include bottomland habitats, f loodplains, lakeshores and primary r iver

terraces paralleling f l ow ing streams (Johnson and Carothers 1982). Azonal soi ls

are o f ten found in riparian zones prone t o seasonal or periodic disturbances

through f lood ing (McLean and Holland 1958, Roberts et a / . 1977). Riparian soi ls

are o f ten relat ively coarse in texture w i t h well-drained and aerated soi ls (Roberts

et a / . 1977). As the organic composi t ion o f the so i l increases, the so i l texture b

becomes f iner and drainage and aeration may be restricted. Soi l composit ion,

whether mineral or organic, i s dependent on the type o f water body adjacent t o

the zone. Organic depos~t ion, bank stabilization, and nutrient and sediment

f i l t rat ion are influenced b y the surrounding vegetation (Cline and Phill ips 1983).

Slow, meandering r ivers or streams, marsh wetlands and the shorelines o f

stationary water bodies o f ten support organic so i l types although mineral horizons

indicating past disturbances may occur. Act ive r iver systems in contrast have

mineral soi ls. Flooding replenishes so i l minerals in both ionic f o r m and as

unweathered rock part icles (Roberts et al. 1977).

Plate II. Riparian vegetation in a cult ivated valley, Monte Creek, B.C.

The topography o f r iparian areas varies great ly depending upon the water

source involved. Fast f l o w i n g streams and r ivers (greater than 0.6 m/sec) pass

through areas o f high gradient. Adjacent banks and s lopes m a y be steep,

support ing l i t t l e vegetat ion o f any fo rm. Areas w i t h l i t t l e slope, o f t e n associated

w i t h low-gradient and s lower r ivers (less than 0.6 m/sec), and stat ionary water

bod ies usual ly support more extensive vegetat ive communi t ies.

The water sys tem moderates the microc l imate o f the r iparian zone. The

combinat ion o f vegetat ion and water create a humid environment in summer,

physical l i / p ro tec ted f r o m extremes in temperature b y shade, and a warm

environment i n w in ter sheltered f r o m s n o w accumulat ion, l o w temperatures and

w i n d (Thomas 1979, Thomas et al. 1979a, Shafer et al. 1982).

Vegetation Characteristics

The three major habitat classes found in r iparian zones o f the Southern e

Inter ior are f resh emergent wetlands, shrub carrs and r iparian forests (Table 3.1).

The latter t w o m a y represent seral stages o f one secondary successional pattern.

. Fresh emergent wet lands are associated w i t h s low-mov ing water sys tems

where the land i s f l ooded during at least part o f the year. These areas occur at

the heads o f lakes, in f l a t val ley bo t toms , depressions or backwater channels.

The dominant vegetat ion is sedges, cattai ls, horsetai ls, rushes, bulrushes and

mosses (Plates I l l , IV). Plant succession w i l l vary according t o the s i te

characterist ics and seed sources.

Depending o n s i te characterist ics, species such as shrub w i l l ows , aspen,

b i rch or c o t t o n w o o d occur i n or adjacent t o the f resh emergent wetlands.

Zonat ion w i t h i n the wet lands i s usual ly due t o vary ing water depths, leading t o

Table 3.1. Vegetation Types in the Southern Interior

Vegetation type Water source Dominant vegetation

Fresh emergent

wetlands

Shrub carr

Riparian forest

s low-moving water sedges, cattails,

horsetai Is, rushes,

bulrushes, mosses

slow, meandering streams wi l lows, red-osier

(< 0.6 m/sec) dogwood, rose,

chokecherry

moderate t o f ast-f lowing cottonwood, birch, alder,

streams and r ivers aspen, w i l l ows

(> 0.6 m/sec)

- Plate Ill. Fresh emergent wet land, A l l i s o n Creek, B.C.

Plate IV. Fresh emergent wetland, Okanagan River oxbow, Oliver, B.C.

horizontal plant diversity. Also, wetlands are usually in constant states o f change

due to fluctuating water levels (Weller 1978). Primary succession in these

wetlands wi l l be influenced by changes in site characteristics such as lowered

water levels or infilling. Species such as wi l lows or birch may become

established along the wetland margins.

Shrub carr is found along slow, meandering streams in flat valley bottoms.

The shrubs, commonly up to 6 m in height, are usually bordered by pasturelands

or cultivated lands (Plate V). Shrub species found in these systems include

various wetland wil lows, red-osier dogwood, rose and chokecherry. Alder, birch or

cottonwood saplings may occur and grasses, annuals and horsetails in the herb

layer.

The width of the shrub carr varies with water availability. Expansion o f the

vegetative community occurs through root sprouting as well as seed germination.

In the absence of disturbance, the shrub carr may thus be self-perpetuating.

Shrub carr may succeed t o riparian forest after minor disturbance.

The riparian forests are cottonwood-dominated stands that vary in

composition and structure as functions o f age, surrounding vegetation, seasonal

water f lows and disturbances. These stands occur along moderate and

fast-flowing streams and rivers throughout the region. Young sites are usually

dominated b y shrubs interspersed with saplings of deciduous trees. On older

sites, mature cottonwood may be scattered, emerging above a distinct canopy of

birch, alder, aspen or wi l lows (Plate VI). Below this a shrub layer of wil lows,

chokecherry, elderberry, red-osier dogwood or beaked hazelnut may be found. The

cottonwood often attains heights greater than 25 m, with the lower tree layer

occurring at 15-17 m.

Plate V. Shrub carr, Monte Creek, B.C.

Plate VI. Riparian forest, Similkameen River, Princeton, B.C.

Cot tonwood i s a long- l ived species that can surv ive up t o 200 years

(Fowells 1965). I ts cont inued presence throughout plant succession provides an

immediate seed source when peak f l o o d events alter the r iver f loodp la in and

vegetat ion. A t higher elevations, spruce may invade c o t t o n w o o d s i tes under

favourable condi t ions.

Factors i n Succession - The successional pat tern exhibited b y r iparian s i tes is dependent upon many 1

factors. The m o s t important o f these include the surrounding seed source, f l o o d

disturbance h i s to ry and pat tern o f recurrence, so i l mo is ture levels and so i l

format ion. I n any one area, a l l three commun i t y types may be present. The

r iparian vegetat ion m a y succeed t o coni ferous species or remain seral i n either

the shrub carr o r r iparian forest , or dynamic combinat ions o f these. Vegetat ive

compos i t i on and successional d i rect ion w i l l depend upon natural or man-made

disturbances, seed sources, c l imate and characterist ics o f the adjacent aquatic i

system.

A X *

Vegetative Diversity

Riparian areas usual ly have a greater product ion o f plant b iomass than

adjacent uplands because o f their higher moisture and nutr ient levels. Vegetat ive

components o f the habitat include mosses, herbaceous plants, s h r l ~ b s and trees,

The physical, chemical and b io log ica l in teract ions occurr ing at the land/water

inter face create a range o f vegetat ion types and structures b o t h vert ical ly and

hor izontal ly , and mul t ip le combinat ions o f successional stages, leading t o a highly

d iverse species compos i t i on and structure (Dealy et a / . 1981, Cl ine and Phil l ips

1983).

Within the riparian zone, the proport ion o f "edge" is greater than that in

surrounding habitats. The riparian habitat is generally linear fo l l ow ing the

sinuosity o f the water channel, maximizing the development o f edge. In addition,

the great structural diversity in vegetation both vert ical ly and horizontal ly creates

edge within the habitat. Edges between vegetation types o f ten exhibit more

diverse niche possibi l i t ies than within any single vegetation type and are

recognized as being highly productive wi ld l i fe areas (Thomas 1979, Thomas et al .

1979b).

Wi ld l i fe the Riparian Zone

In the Southern Interior, w i ld l i fe use o f riparian zones has not been fu l ly

quantified. One hundred and f i f ty-eight species o f w i ld l i f e that occur in the

region and use riparian areas are l is ted in Appendix I l l . These species represent

43 percent o f the total number o f w i ld l i fe species in the region.

The diverse vegetative composi t ion and community structure o f riparian

ecosystems provide a diverse range o f niches fo r wi ld l i fe. Except when serving

as food, vegetation through i ts diversity and structure, is more important t o

w i ld l i f e than specif ic species composi t ion or the presence o f individual plant

species (Balda 1975, Weller 1978, Dealy et a / . 1981). Wi ld l i fe may be more

dependent on the availabi l i ty o f thermal and hiding cover than on specif ic f ood

types (Dealy et al. 1981). Variation in habitat structure is important t o the

ecological separation o f similar w i ld l i fe species (MYCloskey 1975).

Wi ld l i fe are dependent on three l i f e requisites f o r survival: cover, f o o d and

water (Thomas 1979, Thomas et a / . 1979a. Shafer et a / . 1982). The riparian zone

of fers cover fo r feeding, reproduction, shelter and escape. Food sources available

include: woody vegetation; seeds; f lowers and nectar; f ru i ts and berries;

terrestrial, semi-aquatic and aquatic insects; and larger prey such as fish. reptiles.

amphib~ans, small mammals and birds. The watercourse serves as a drinking

source, breeding si te and feeding area. Thus the riparian zone provides numerous

and diverse niches that are occupied b y numerous organisms f r om all trophic

levels. T h ~ s creates a complex f ood web wi th in the habitat and a wi ld l i fe

population that may be more productive and diverse than In any other ecosystem

(Hirsch and Segelquist 1979).

Shrubs are an important component o f the riparian vegetation. Shrubs

provide various fo rms o f f o o d and cover and are important features t o at least

50% o f all b i rd and mammal species in North America (Yeager 1961). Species o f

shrubs each used b y more than 50 w i ld l i f e species as f o o d sources and found

in riparian zones, include members o f the rose, dogwood, heath, honeysuckle, and

sumac families. Other shrub species w i t h signif icant w i ld l i f e use are wi l low, alder

and currant (Robinette 1972).

The riparian zone receives disproport ionate use b y wi ld l i fe during spring and . summer in comparison t o surrounding areas. Because the zone of fers all

necessary l i fe requisites, breeding w i ld l i f e are able t o establish nest sites f o r

young that are sheltered and accessible t o f o o d and water. The concentration o f

f ood sources al lows a greater density o f w i ld l i f e t o be supported b y the riparian

habitat than could be supported elsewhere. Because o f the abundance o f food,

animals w i t h terr i tories outside the zone are able t o forage in the zone without

competing w i t h resident populations.

During the fa l l and winter, riparian zones support w i ld l i f e that summer at

higher elevations. The thick brush o f the zone o f fe rs shelter f r om winds and

snow, at t ract ing large mammal species. Tw igs and branches o f shrubs and trees

prov ide browse. Resident b i rd populat ions forage o n the previous year's seed

crop and overwinter ing insect larvae.

Al though not al l w i l d l i f e species are restr ic ted t o r iparian areas fo r survival,

m o s t large animals require access t o water during at least part o f the year

(Odum 1979). Thus alterat ions t o r iparian habitats m a y a f fec t n o t on l y the

resident w i l d l i f e populat ions but a lso those o f the adjacent uplands (Hirsch and

Segelquist 1979).

Amphibians

A l l amphibians are dependent o n water ava i lab i l i t y f o r reproduction.

Amphibians found in r iparian zones include those dependent o n bo th standing and

f l o w i n g water fo r survival. Bo th pr imar i l y terrestr ia l and aquatic species may be

present. Amphibians associated w i t h r iparian sys tems in the Southern Interior

include long-toed salamander, Paci f ic t reefrog, western toad, spot ted f r o g and

Great Basin spadefoot toad.

. Adul t amphibians forage o n insects and arthropods. Juveni le amphibians

forage o n aquatic vegetat ion, algae and insect larvae. Larger amphibian species

m a y also eat other amphibians, smal l snakes, b i rds o r mammals. M o s t amphibians

become inact ive during w in ter and hibernate either i n m o i s t terrestr ial

envi ronments or standing water .

Reptiles

Riparian zones o f the Southern lnter ior support western garter snakes,

c o m m o n garter snakes and painted turt les. Snakes found in the zone feed o n a

range o f f o o d i t ems including insects, amphibians, f ish, smal l b i rds and smal l

mammals. Turtles feed on a variety o f i tems including aquatic vegetation and

aquatic organisms. A l l three species o f reptiles are ~nac t i ve during the winter,

w i t h the snakes denning in subterranean crevices and the turtles overwintering in

the ponds and lakes.

Birds

Diversity and composi t ion o f the bird community are af fected by the

vertical and horizontal d iversi ty o f vegetation wi th in a habitat (Balda 1975,

Hamilton and Noble 1975). On a annual basis, there are generally three bird

communit ies present in a habitat: summer residents, winter residents and

migrants, or combinations o f these (Hamilton and Noble 1975). Although avifauna

compos i t ~on may change rapidly w i th habitat alteration, the impacts may not be

fu l l y reaiized unt i l the changeovers between summer and winter bird communit ies

have occurred (Balda 1975, Hamilton and Noble 1975). The ef fec t o f habitat

disruption may not be readily apparent on migratory species i f alternate

migration routes are available, but, the impacts w i l l be cumulative i f overall

habitat availabi l i ty declines (Sprunt 1975).

The riparian zone attracts large numbers o f birds because o f the high

structural d iversi ty and product iv i ty o f the vegetative community. Because the

areas are mois t throughout the year, riparian zones are breeding sites for

semi-aquatic insects providing abundant food for birds such as flycatchers,

woodpeckers and waterfowl. The habitat is also an important stopover fo r many

migratory birds. Riparian woodlands may serve as refuges in unfavourable terrain

fo r forest species crossing grasslands and deserts (Sprunt 1975).

In the Southern Interior, the riparian habitat is important t o breeding.

winter ing and migratory bird species. Species breeding in the area use a broad

range o f nest locations, f r om the emergent vegetation at the water surface t o

the upper tree canopy. Members o f the duck, shorebird, owl, woodpecker, thrush

and songbird fami l ies breed in the riparian zone. Wintering birds include Stellar's

jay which moves t o the riparian thickets in val ley bot toms f r o m the subalpine

forests and Western Hemlock Zone farther t o the north (Cannings et a/ . 1984).

Migratory species, such as the long-billed dowitcher and Franklin's gull, pass

through the region on route between their northern breeding grounds and southern

wintering areas.

Mammals

The riparian zone is used b y a broad range o f mammal species fo r feeding

and reproduction. Common mammals inhabiting riparian zones include members o f

the mustel id fami ly, small rodents, bats, deer and bears. Larger species use the

zone fo r feeding throughout the fal l , winter and spring. The normal ly dense

vegetation and lower elevation combine t o give the zone ,a favourable

microcl imate during winter. White-tailed deer, moose and elk migrate t o val ley

bot toms which provide browse, and have shallower snow depths and structural . elements for thermal protect ion (Banfield 1974, Chapman and Feldhamer 1982).

Female mule deer may use wetland areas in summer fo r fawning (Banfield 1974).

Conversely, smaller mammals are usually yearlong residents o f the zone,

depending on the habitat fo r all l i f e requisites.

Special Considerat ions

The Southern lnterior region is pr imari ly w i th in the lnterior Dry Belt

(Harcombe 1984). The absence o f alternate productive vegetation types besides

the high elevation forests increases the importance o f riparian areas in this

region. Wi ld l i fe species that are versatile in moister c l imat ic regions may be

restr icted by moisture in their choice o f habitats in the Southern lnterior region.

Riparian zones in the Southern lnterior are restr icted in size both by cl imate

and competing uses. Because o f the region's temperature regime, the zones are

generally restr icted t o the immediate v ic in i ty o f the stream course (Plates VII,

Vl I I). Encroachment b y cult ivated lands, transportation corridors, settlements,

grazing and forestry may also interfere w i t h the extent o f the zone. These

l imi t ing factors in combination w i t h the moisture restr ict ions o f the surrounding

hi l ls and valley f loors make the exist ing riparian zones crit ical t o the continued

existence o f many w i ld l i f e species in the area.

Nonwi ld l i fe Uses of the R i ~ a r i a n Zone

A major issue in the Southern lnterior is the increasing shortage o f riparian

habitat. The importance o f this problem is magnif ied because it is not perceived

t o exist b y all users and is aggravated b y the importance the zone has fo r

many competing uses. Problems arise because many compet ing uses are L

exclusionary and the riparian zone is always a very smal l proport ion o f the to ta l

landscape.

Riparian zones are used f o r a variety o f human activities. The impact? o f

these activit ies on w i ld l i f e range f r om being minor t o causing the exclusion o f

most w i ld l i f e f r om the riparian zone. Development in the Southern lnterior region

has been concentrated in the val ley bot toms pr imari ly due t o cl imatic factors.

Though many areas are relat ively undisturbed at the higher elevations, there are

f ew areas not disturbed in some manner in val ley bot toms and on lower slopes.

Act iv i t ies at higher elevations are generally restr icted t o summer grazing, t imber

Plate VII. Similkameen River, Keremeos, B.C.

Plate VIII. Aspen copses along drainage gullies, Merritt, B.C.

3 9

extract ion and recreation. The loss o r reduct ion o f r iparian zones although

unquant i f ied is substantial at many locat ions throughout the region.

Transportation

Transportat ion cor r idors are usual ly located along r ivercourses due to gentler

s lope and easier construct ion (Thomas et a / . 1979). Riverbanks and r iverbeds are

o f t e n used as sources o f construct ion material. The locat ion o f roads or rai l

l ines i n a r iparian zone resul ts i n the permanent l oss o f habitat a long at least

m o s t o f one bank. Smal l r i vers o r st reams are o f t e n rerouted or culverted.

Remaining habitat m a y be degraded due t o bank erosion, increased f l o w rate,

increased turb id i ty and increased runo f f containing diesel o i l and other pol lutants.

D i r t and dust ra ised b y vehicles coats surrounding vegetat ion, and noise disturbs

w i l d l i f e populat ions (Plate IX).

A long al l the major r ivers, s t reams o r lakeshores i n the Southern Interior,

roads have been constructed f o r at least part o f their length (Plate X). Because

set t lements occur i n m o s t val leys, the road network i s re la t ive ly dense

throughout the region. Few areas exist that are undeveloped. Ongoing construct ion

o f the Coquihalla Highway between Hope and Merr i t t w i l l resul t i n the further

d isrupt ion o f r iparian areas, and the l oss o f r iparian vegetat ion a long the

Coquihalla and Coldwater r ivers, and their adjacent tr ibutaries.

/ ndustry

Throughout the Southern Interior, industr ial ac t iv i t ies are general ly

concentrated adjacent t o water sources near pr imary t ransport rou tes and

commerc ia l centres. Industr ial ac t iv i tes located in r iparian zones include pulp and

sawmi l ls , mines. s tockyards and feed lo ts , and landf i l l s i tes (Boreal; Cariboo

Plate IX. Dust cloud raised by passing vehicle, Knutsford. B.C.

Plate X. Similkameen River and Highway 3, Princeton, B.C.

Subgroup 1978). Habitat loss due t o these activit ies includes the industrial site

and surrounding areas af fected by terrestrial, airborne and waterborne pollutants.

Forestry

Forestry act iv i t ies in riparian zones include road construction and logging.

Buffer strips may be lef t standing along stream edges, preserving some o f the

riparian habitat (Carlson, personal communication). However, small creeks and

gullies are generally cut over. The removal o f vegetation increases surface

runoff , result ing in greater and faster r iver f lows, and potential damage t o

downstream habitats through breakage o f vegetation, erosion and siltation.

In the drier northern and eastern sections o f the Southern Interior region,

logging is restr icted t o the forests in higher elevations. Within buffer strips le f t

along rivercourses, coniferous trees over 6 m in height may be removed,

although steps are taken t o maintain the integrity o f the strip. In many locations,

cot tonwood in riparian habitats has been logged fo r pulpwood. The loss o f

adjoining habitat and the removal o f vegetative components wi th in the zone w i l l

result in a decline o f w i ld l i f e species using the riparian zone. .

Urban

Urban developments have been the most signif icant force in the permanent

removal o f riparian habitat in the Southern Interior. A l l the major population

centres in the region have been buil t on the shores o f r ivers or lakes. Expansion

o f suburban communit ies accounts fo r continuing reductions o f riparian habitat.

Urban developments result in the removal o f riparian habitat. Losses also

occur w i t h at tempts t o create or improve access t o the water and t o control

insect pests. Riparian sites be low housing developments may be used for

disposal o f yard waste. Wi ld l i fe species inhabiting riparian zones destroyed during

development either move t o other riparian habitats, new habitat types or leave

the area. The outcome is a function o f the individual species' versati l i ty and the

amount o f appropriate habitat remaining in the area.

Agriculture

Agriculture is an important use o f lands adjoining watercourses. Haying,

grazing and irr igation all impact on native vegetation in the riparian zone.

Irr igation results in lower water f l ows and a lower water table. Succession may

be altered as vegetation adapts t o the new soi l moisture regime. Haying may

cause an alteration o f vegetative species composi t ion and may reduce ground

cover as shrubs and small trees are removed (Boreal. Cariboo Subgroup 1978).

Agricultural activit ies probably account f o r the greatest removal o f riparian

vegetation in the smaller r iver val leys o f the Southern Interior. Riparian

communit ies bordering orchards may be cleared t o remove the breeding grounds

o f potential insect pests. Hay meadows, pasturelands, cult ivated f ie lds and

farmyards are o f ten cleared to the stream margins. In some cases, a 3-5 m

wide belt o f scrub bushes may be le f t bordering the stream where the ground

remains mois t throughout most o f the year (Plate XI).

The greatest agricultural impact on riparian habitat may be caused b y

grazing l ivestock. Habitat degradation occurs through trampling, removal o f

vegetation and breakage, so i l compaction and water enrichment (Carothers 1977,

Platts 1981, Storch 1983). Regeneration o f riparian shrubs and trees may be

halted and streamcourses running through grazed pastures are o f ten cleared o f

vegetation (Shafer et a/. 1982). I f the grazing is ongoing, the reestablishment o f

vegetation may be prevented (Knopf and Cannon 1982).

44

Plate XI. Cultivated field, Campbell Creek, B.C.

Where grazing is conducted in c o t t o n w o o d stands, the understory vegetat ion

is generally reduced t o a mixture o f int roduced and nat ive grasses, and forbs.

Regeneration o f nat ive r iparian vegetat ion o f ten does n o t occur due t o the

continued grazing pressure and trampling. Streambanks i n grazed f ie lds are usual ly

bare and the so i l compacted.

Recreation

Riparian areas are popular s i tes f o r recreational ac t iv i t ies such as hunting,

f ishing, hiking, camping, picnicing, sw imming and natural ist act iv i t ies. Riparian

areas which receive heavy or unregulated use m a y b e damaged through t rampl ing

and breakage o f vegetat ion, pathclearing, t ree-cut t ing o r waste disposal. W i ld l i f e

populat ions may decl ine due t o consumpt ive use or t o indiv iduals leaving the

area as a result o f human interact ions or presence. Riparian vegetat ion m a y be

cleared along shorelines and marshes along beaches t o improve access and the

a t t rac t ivenessoof the area. The presence o f a campground in a r iparian area can

cause a s igni f icant sh i f t i n the b i rd species compos i t i on or cause a reduct ion in

the numbers o f breeding b i rds (Ai tchison 1977).

In the Southern Inter ior during the hot, d ry summer months, r iparian areas

are preferred recreat ion areas because o f their p rox im i t y t o water and their

mi lder temperatures. M o s t parks and rest areas are establ ished near water along

highways paral lel ing major water systems. The greatest impact o n r iparian habitat

f r o m recreational act iv i t ies i s due t o the remova l o f vegeta t ion o n the r iver

banks and shorel ine fo r improved access t o water and pest contro l . These

actions can a f fec t w i l d l i f e o f a l l types. Shorel ine vegetat ion represent shelter,

breeding s i tes and f o o d sources f o r birds, smal l terrestr ia l and semi-aquatic

mammals, amphibians and repti les. Other w i ld l i fe -based recreational act iv i t ies are

indi rect ly a f fec ted as w i l d l i f e populat ions diminish i n the r iparian zone.

Water Management

Water cont ro l p ro jec ts alter the f l o w rate, quant i ty and seasonal pattern o f

f l o w , decrease the surrounding water table and result in the alterat ion o f the

surrounding and downstream riparian habitat. Vegetat ion may be removed and

stream meanders cut o f f as the r ivercourse i s straightened and/or armoured.

Water r ights i n the Southern Interior are general ly f u l l y commi t ted . Because

o f these exist ing commi tmen ts it m a y no t a lways b e possib le t o consider

adverse e f fec ts t o exist ing r iparian vegetat ion through al terat ion o f water f l o w

and vo lume in management decisions. The long-term impact o f channelization

pro jec ts on the Okanagan River m a y n o t be f u l l y real ized (Plate XII). Oxbows

created through these procedures may dry up over t i m e wi thout seasonal

recharge, advancing succession and resul t ing i n changes t o exist ing vegetat ion

structure and compos i t ion . Changes t o vegetat ion m a y result i n sh i f ts o f species

compos i t i on or decl ines i n populat ions o f w i ld l i fe .

Manaqement of the Riparian Habitat

Riparian zones are valuable land areas. They are product ive f i sh and w i l d l i f e

habitat, popular recreat ion s i tes, preferred grazing locat ions, product ive fo res t land,

excellent sources f o r rock and aggregate, and good routes fo r road and rai l

construct ion (Lea 1979). The lack o f planned management act ions i n the past has

led t o the degradation o f r iparian areas. This a f fec ts water qual i ty and quanti ty,

f l o o d f requency and sever i ty , pol lut ion, forage production, f isher ies and area

aesthetics., i n add i t ion t o w i l d l i f e (Lea 1979). Thus, although there is a need t o

act ively manage r iparian habitat, when w i l d l i f e has been chosen as a management

goal, there i s a lso a need t o contro l act iv i t ies in th is area fo r nonw i ld l i f e uses.

Management decis ions concerning the r iparian zone should consider the

inadequacies o f w i l d l i f e use in format ion and minimize poss ib le adverse impacts

management act ions may have o n nontarget uses. Reclamat ion and rehabi l i ta t ion

o f damaged r iparian habitat are important components t o management strategies

because r iparian habitat i s natural ly scarce in the Southern Inter ior and i s

steadi ly decreasing through development act iv i t ies. A c t i o n should be taken t o halt

this decline and rec!aim damaged sites.

Guidelines for Use

I n the Southern Interior, management o f r iparian habitat f o r w i l d i i f e should

f o l l o w these guidel ines:

1. Forestry- Forestry pract ices can inf luence the amount and dist r ibut ion o f

w i l d l i f e habitat (Bunnell and Eastman 1976). Thus, f o res t planning should

consider w i l d l i f e requisites such as habitat, vegetat ion corr idors, f o o d and

shelter. In general, the remova l o f vegetat ion l owers the water table and . increases runof f . Further damage t o the habitat and downstream habitats

may occur through erosion, s i l ta t ion o f the watercourse, more frequent and

greater f l o o d events, o r debris f l ows .

Recommended guide1 ines include:

a. Locat ing logging act iv i t ies outs ide o f the r iparian zone o r min imiz ing

int rusion i n to th is area.

b. Mainta in ing w i n d f i r m buf fer st r ips alongside watercourses and

min imiz ing disturbance o f sub-canopy vegetat ion layers.

c. Mainta in ing alternate r iparian habitat o f s imi lar t ype nearby.

d. Locating access roads outside the riparian zone.

Transportation- The location o f transportation corridors in the riparian zone

destroys hab~tat . Adjacent habitat is degraded b y the accompanying dust and

pollut ion, and remaining w i ld l i f e species are further disturbed by noise. The

rerouting or culverting o f watercourses destroys riparian habitat and

increases rates o f waterf low. Damage t o downstream habitat may result

f rom increased water yields during seasonal f l ood events.

Recommended guidelines include:

a. Locating all roads and rai l lines outside riparian zones.

b. Minimizing the culvert ing or rerouting o f minor streams.

3. Grazing- The grazing o f l ivestock in riparian zones changes, reduces or

eliminates vegetation. Al terat ion o f the vegetative community may cause

streamchannel widening, streamchannel aggradation or lowering o f the wEter

table (Platts 1979).

Management alternatives range f r om the deferral o f the t iming o f the

grazing season t o the exclusion o f l ivestock f r om the zone. The success o f

deferred or rest-rotation grazing strategies depend upon exist ing vegetation

quality and annual precipitat ion (Busby 1979, Storch 1979). The exclusion o f

l ivestock through fencing is an expensive alternative that requires fence

maintenance and periodic replacement. In addition, large species o f w i ld l i fe

and recreational users are also excluded (Swan 1979). Livestock using the

riparian zone are seeking water, green feed and possibly shade. The

provis ion o f substitutes elsewhere may reduce l ivestock use o f riparian

zones (Busby 1979).

Recommended guidelines include:

a. Restricting l ivestock grazing t o upland slopes through the use o f

salt-blocks, piped-in watering pools and shelter.

b. Implementing deferred-grazing or rest-rotation grazing in pastures

containing riparian habitat.

c. Excluding l ivestock f r om the riparian zone through fencing in instances

o f extreme habitat degradation.

4. Agriculture- Riparian vegetation is o f ten removed in cult ivated areas. Due t o

these practices, the amount o f shrub carr riparian habitat is declining

throughout the Southern Interior.

Recommended guidelines include:

a. Maintaining a bel t o f riparian vegetation along watercourses running

through cult ivated areas.

. 5. Other uses- In general, because o f i ts importance t o w i ld l i f e and other

uses, single-use act iv i t ies should not be located in the riparian zone.

Recommended guidelines include:

a. Locating landf i l l projects outside o f the riparian zone.

b. Locating industrial activit ies outside o f the riparian zone. Existing

industrial locations should be used fo r future expansion. Procedures

should be taken t o minimize adverse impacts arising f r om the addit ion

o f foreign matter t o the water or terrestrial environment.

c. Determining the water requirements associated w i t h maintaining riparian

habitat before the al location o f further water rights. Declining water

tables in r iparian habitats m a y alter vegetat ive compos i t i on and af fect

w i ld l i fe .

Perhaps the m o s t important fac tor contr ibut ing t o the successful management

o f the r iparian zone is education o f the publ ic. Wi ld l i fe habitat can be destroyed

through unintentional or un in formed actions. Unconscious destruct ion or damage t o

r iparian zones may be stopped i f measures are taken t o increase publ ic

awareness o f their importance as w i l d l i f e habitats.

CHAPTER IV /

CONCLUSIONS

Before w i l d l i f e inter ests can be incorporated int o the planning process, an

understanding is required o f h o w resource development impacts on w i l d l i f e and

i t s habitat. T o achieve this understanding, i t is f i r s t necessary t o ident i fy w h y

w i l d l i f e are at t racted t o their natural habitats and h o w they use these habitats

(National Research Council 1982). Problems in incorporat ing w i l d l i f e habitat

interests in to the planning process have been encountered f o r a number o f

reasons:

the w i l d l i f e data base is small . Exist ing data are scattered and the research

methods used are inconsistent. The data that are avai lable are n o t readi ly

adaptable f o r planning purposes (Thomas 1982b).

the complex i ty and d ivers i ty o f habitats and w i l d l i f e requirements essent ia l ly

makes characterizat ion o f these f o r a l l species an imposs ib le task (National

Research Counci l 1982).

w i l d l i f e and habitat values are d i f f i cu l t t o measure fo r compar ison t o other

land values (National Research Counci l 1982).

the ownership o f w i l d l i f e resources i s hard t o i den t i f y because w i l d l i f e

values o f t e n represent publ ic goods or c o m m o n proper ty resources (National

Research Counci l 1982).

The B.C. W i ld l i f e Habitat Handbooks project is a t tempt ing t o prepare a

management t o o l or iented towards the fo res t industry that deals w i t h t w o o f

these problems: the l im i ted data base and habitat d ivers i ty . Through the

handbooks, scat tered i n fo rma t ion i s drawn together. The in fo rma t ion i s then

presented at t w o levels:

a. descr ipt ions o f habitat and species ecology.

b. species-habitat re lat ionship mode ls that can be used t o evaluate

w i l d l i f e response t o spec i f i c habitat perturbations.

The complex i ty and d ivers i ty o f habitats and w i l d l i f e requirements are

s impl i f ied fo r the manager and f o r planning purposes through the Management

lndicator chapters. In the chapters, i n fo rma t ion about important habitats is

presented. The Management lndicator Species chapters prov ide in format ion about

w i l d l i f e species that can b e representat ive o f other species or that have been

selected as a pr imary management goal. Guidel ines that should be f o l l o w e d t o

achieve management goals accompany each Management lndicator chapter.

Al though the B.C. W i l d l i f e Habitat Handbooks series can be used t o evaluate

the re lat ive value o f a habitat and the potent ia l impact on w i l d l i f e due t o

management act ions, al l analyses are p r imar i l y -qua l i t a t i ve i n nature. Neither the

quanti ty o f habi tats nor the populat ion size o f w i l d l i f e species is identi f ied.

Thus, the pro jec t w i l l have l im i ted appl icat ion t o decis ions assessing the

t rade-o f fs between alternative uses o n spec i f i c sites. These questions w i l l s t i l l L

require on-site appraisals o f bo th habitat and w i l d l i f e populat ions. However, the

handbooks w i l l b e useful i n the earlier p lanning stages t o e l iminate unacceptable

alternatives.

Like habitat evaluat ion procedures designed in the Un i ted States, the B.C.

Wi ld l i f e Habitat Handbook series should b e useful i n determining the habitat

sui tabi l i ty o f land areas t o ident i f ied species or species groups. A l so , the

sys tem could be used t o rank the re la t ive value o f lands that m a y potent ia l l y be

acquired f o r w i l d l i f e uses (Schamberger and Farmer 1978). However, because n o

quanti tat ive data are available, the sys tem b y i tse l f cou ld no t be used t o

estimate the habitat quality of an area, nor to determine whether additional

habitat sites are required by wildl i fe.

The advantages to the B.C. Wildlife Habitat Handbooks and other comparable

systems are that they are largely objective and can be used by different

observers having different backgrounds (Thomas 1982b). Like tile processes

followed in land-use planning, the B.C. Wildl i fe Habitat Handbooks are based on

the interpretation and extrapolation of existing theories and data (Thomas 1982b).

This similarity in approach should minimize problems arising in the incorporation

of the handbooks into the resource planning process.

In general, the B.C. Wildl i fe Habitat Handbooks fu l f i l l the basic goal for

wi ldl i fe research needs as

"an information base on animals and their habitats that w i l l allow prediction of the effects of changes in animal-habitat relationships" (Sanderson et al. 1979: 167).

As management tools, the habitat handbooks serve a number of purposes.

Foremost, the handbooks w i l l represent a communication link between agencies

that are legislatively distinct. The handbooks w i l l identify t o the nonwildlife L

age~c ies potential conflicts between wi ldl i fe and other resource uses.. Given the

base of knowledge provided, the manager and planner wi l l be in a position not

only to decide whether additional information is required but also to have an

idea of the direction in which further enquiries should be made. This creates a

more eff icient planning process as ef for t is not wasted pursuing tangential

issues.

A second important and complementary purpose the handbooks serve is

educational. By providing an information base to planners outside of the wildl i fe

field, a greater awareness o f wi ldl i fe issues w i l l be created. This added

awareness over t ime w i l l help t o integrate w i ld l i f e management into resource

management decisions at the earliest planning stage, rather than attempting to

i nco rpo ra t~ w i ld l i f e concerns into formulated plans as o f ten occurs now.

The publication o f the handbooks as a series o f government documents

broadens the potential audience to include not only government personnel but

also nongovernment resource developers, academics and the public. This approach

should result in greater exposure o f w i ld l i f e concerns and develop a greater

understanding and appreciation o f w i ld l i fe . This exposure and understanding w i l l

faci l i tate the integration o f w i ld l i f e interests into the resource management

process.

APPENDIX I

R~parian vegetation- scientif ic names

Common name Scientific name

Douglas-f ir Western redcedar Western hemlock Engelmann spruce White spruce Ponderosa pine Cottonwood Willow Aspen Alder Birch Elderberry Heath Honeysuckle Red-osier dogwood Rose family

Chokecherry Beaked hazelnut Currant Sedge Sumac Cattail Horsetail Rush

Pseudotsuga menziesii Thu ja pl icata Tsuga heterophyl la Picea engel manni Picea glauca Pinus ponderosa Populus balsami f era trichocarpa Salix spp. Populus tremuloides Alnus spp. Betula spp. Sambucus racernosa Vaccinium spp. Sambucus s p p. Cornus sericea Rosa spp., Rubusspp. Amelanchier spp., Prunus spp. Prunus virginiana Corylus cornuta Ribes spp. Carex spp. Rhus spp. T Y P ~ ~ SPP. Equisetum spp. Family ~uncaceae

APPENDIX II

Wi ld l i f e species found in r iparian zones of the Southern Inter ior Natural

Resources Area1

'Harcombe, personal communica t ion

Common name Scientific name

BIRDS

common loon pied-bi l led grebe red-necked grebe eared grebe western grebe American whi te pelican great blue heron black-crowned night heron Canada goose w o o d duck green-winged teal mal lard blue-winged teal cinnamon teal gadwall European wigeon American wigeon redhead . greater scaup lesser scaup harlequin duck common goldeneye Barrow's goldeneye bu f f lehead hooded merganser common merganser osprey bald eagle marsh hawk golden eagle merl in blue grouse ru f fed grouse sharp-tailed grouse California quail sora American coo t black-bell ied plover ki l ldeer greater ye l lowlegs lesser yel lowlegs sol i tary sandpiper c?otted sandpiper long-bi l led dowitcher

Gavia inmer Podilymbus podiceps Podiceps grisegena Podiceps n igr ico l l is Aechmophorus occidental is Pel ecanus eryt hrorhynchos Ardea herodias Nycticorax nycticorax Branta canadensis A ix sponsa Anas crecca Anas p/atyrhynchos Anas discors Anas cyanoptera Anas strepera Anas penelope Anas amer lcana Aythya americana A ythya mari l a Aythya af f in is Histrionicus histrionicus Bucephal a clangula Bucephala islandica Bucephala a1 beola Lophodytes cucul I atus Mergus merganser Pandion haliaetus Haliaeetus leucocephalus Circus cyaneus Aquila chrysaetos Falco columbarius Dendragapus obscurus Bonasa umbel lus Tympanuchus phasianel lus Call ipepla cali fornica Porzana carol ina Fulica americana Pluvialis squatarola Charadrius vociferus Tringa melanoleuca Tringa f lavipes Tringa solitaria Actitis macularia Limnodromus scolopaceus

Common name Scientific name

common snipe Wilson's phalarope Franklin's gull Bonaparte's gull ring-billed gull herring gull common tern mourning dove common barn owl western screech owl great horned owl long-eared owl northern saw-whet owl black swi f t Vaux's swi f t calliope hummingbird rufous hummingbird belted kingfisher Lewis' woodpecker yellow-bellied sapsucker downy woodpecker hairy woodpecker . northern flicker pileated woodpecker western wood-pewee alder flycatcher western flycatcher eastern kingbird tree swallow violet-green swallow bank swallow c l i f f swallow barn swallow Steller's jay black-billed magpie American crow common raven black-capped chickadee mountain chickadee winter wren American dipper golden-crowned kinglet ruby-crowned kinglet Townsend's solitaire veery t\~.ainson's thrush American robin

Gall inago gal l inago Phalaropus tricolor Larus pipixcan Larus philadelphia Larus delawarensis Larus argentatus Sterna hirundo Zenaida macroura Tyto alba Otus asio kennicottii Bubo virginianus Asio otus Aegol ius acad icus Cypseloides niger Chaetura vauxi Stellula calliope Selasphorus ruf us Ceryle alcyon Melanerpes lewis Sphyrapicus varius

. Picoides pubescens Picoides vil losus Colaptes auratus Dryocopus p i leatus Contopus sordidulus Empidonax alnorum Empidonax d i f f i c i l i s Tyrannus tyrannus Tachycineta bicolor Tachycineta thalassina Riparia r ipar ia Hirundo pyrrhonota Hirundo rustica Cyanocitta stel le r i Pica pica Corvus brachyrhynchos Corvus corax Parus atricapil lus Parus gambel i Troglodytes troglodytes Cinclus mexicanus Regulus sa t rap Regulus calendula Myadestes townsendi Catharus f uscescens Catharus ustulatus Turdus migratorius

Common name Scientific name

varied thrush gray catbird Bohemian waxwing cedar waxwing northern shrike European starling red-eyed vireo orange-crowned warbler yellow warbler yellow-rumped warbler American redstart northern waterthrush MacGillivray's warbler common yellowthroat Wilson's warbler yellow-breasted chat western tanager black-headed grosbeak lazuli bunting rufous-sided towhee song sparrow dark-eyed junco bobolink red-winged blackbird yellow-headed blackbird Brewer's blackbird brown-headed cowbird northern oriole pine grosbeak house finch common redpoll American goldfinch house sparrow

MAMMALS

masked shrew vagrant shrew dusky shrew water shrew litt le brown myotis silver-haired bat Nuttall's cottontail snowshoe hare northern flying squirrel

1 xoreus naevius Dumetel la carol inensis Bombycil l a garrul us Bombycilla cedrorum Lanius excubitor Sturnus vulgaris Vireo olivaceus Vermivora celata Dendroica petechia Dendroica coronata Setophaga rut ic i l la Seiurus noveboracensis Oporornis tolmiei Geothlypsis trichas Wilsonia pusil la 1 cteria virens Piranga ludoviciana Pheucticus me1 anocephal us Passerina amoena P ip i lo erythrophthalmus Melospiza melodia Junco hyemal is Do1 i c h ~ , ~ y x oryzivorus Agelaius phoeniceus Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus Euphagus cyanocephalus Molothrus ater lcterus galbula Pinicola enucleator Carpodacus mexicanus Carduelis f lammea Carduelis tr ist is Passer domesticus

Sorex cinereus Sorex vagrans Sorex monticolus Sorex palustris M yotis I uci f ugus Lasionycteris noctivagans Sylvilagus nuttalli Lepus americanus GI aucomys sabrinus

Common name Scientific name

beaver meadow vole muskrat meadow jumping mouse American black bear raccoon ermine long-tailed weasel mink striped skunk bobcat mule deer white-tailed deer Rocky Mountain elk moose

REPTILES

western terrestrial garter snake common garter snake painted turtle

AMPHIBIANS

long-toed salamander roughskin newt Great Basin spadefoot toad western toad Pacific treefrog spotted f rog leopard f rog

Castor canadensis Microtus pennsyl vanicus Ondatra zibethicus Zapus hudsonius Ursus americanus Procyon lotor Mustela erminea Mustela f renata Mustela vison Mephitis mephitis Lynx rufus Odocoi 1 eus hemionus Odocoileus virginiana Cervus elaphus nelsoni Alces alces

Thamnophis elegans - Thamnophis sirtal is

Chrysemys picta

Ambystoma macrodactylum Taricha granulosa Scaphiopus intermontanus Bufo boreas Hyla regi l la Rana pretiosa Rana pipiens

APPENDIX Ill

Species-habitat re lat ionships f o r w i l d l i f e species found i n r ipar ian zones o f the

Southern Inter ior Natural Resources Area1

- ~~ -

'References- Taverner 1926, Banf ie ld 1974, God f rey 1979, Orchard 1984, Harcombe (personal communication).

RE

QU

IRE

ME

NT

S

SP

EC

IES

H

AB

ITA

T

SE

AS

ON

Fo

od

R

ep

rod

ucti

on

C

ove

r Im

po

rta

nce

BIR

DS

,Co

mm

on

lo

on

la

kes,

ri

ve

rs

Eare

d

gre

be

ponds,

la

kes,

m

ars

h

0)

We

ste

rn

gre

be

ponds,

la

kes

Pie

d-b

ille

d

gre

be

ponds,

la

kes,

sl

ough

s,

slo

w

S-W

slre

am

s

Re

d-n

eck

ed

g

reb

e

lake

s,

.mar

shes

, s

low

sl

rea

ms

S S

S

W

S-R

S

Am

eri

can

w

hit

e

pe

lica

n

Gre

at

blu

e

he

ron

ponds,

la

kes,

m

arsh

es,

rive

rs

Bla

ck-c

row

ne

d

nig

ht

ponds.

Ia

kes,

s

low

st

rea

ms

he

ron

Can

ada

go

ose

ponds,

la

kes,

m

ars

he

s,

rive

rs

Wo

od

duck

ponds,

la

kes,

m

arsh

es,

rive

rs

S-R

S-W

wa

ter

(fis

h.

cru

sta

cea

ns,

g

rou

nd

mo

llusc

s,

fro

gs,

ve

ge

tatio

n)

wa

ler

(in

sect

s)

wa

ter,

g

rou

nd

wa

ler

(in

sect

s,

amph

ibia

ns,

fish

. w

ale

r,

gro

un

d

veg

eta

tion

)

wa

ler

(in

sect

s.

amph

ibia

ns)

wa

ler,

g

rou

nd

wa

ter

(in

sect

s,

amph

ibia

ns,

fish

, w

ate

r.

gro

un

d

veg

eta

tion

)

wa

ter-

he

rb

pre

ferr

ed

wa

ter-

he

rb

pre

ferr

ed

wa

ter-

he

rb

pre

ferr

ed

wa

ter-

he

rb

pre

ferr

ed

wa

ter-

he

rb

pre

ferr

ed

wa

ter

(am

phib

ians

, fis

h)

.he

rb

wa

ter

(am

phib

ians

. fis

h)

tre

e

can

op

y h

erb

-sh

rub

wa

ter

(am

phib

ians

, fis

h,

rod

en

ts)

shru

b-t

ree

ca

no

py

he

rb-s

hru

b

wa

ter,

g

rou

nd

(v

eg

eta

tion

) g

rou

nd

wa

ter

(in

sect

s,

veg

eta

tion

) tr

ee

b

ole

s

he

rb-s

hru

b

he

rb-s

hru

b

pre

ferr

ed

vers

atil

e

pre

ferr

ed

vers

atil

e

pre

ferr

ed

SP

EC

IES

H

AB

ITA

T

RE

QU

IRE

ME

NT

S

SE

AS

ON

Fo

od

R

ep

rod

ucti

on

C

ove

r Im

po

rta

nce

Gre

en

-win

ge

d

teal

ponds,

la

kes.

m

ars

h

S w

ate

r (in

sect

s,

veg

eta

tion

) g

rou

nd

h

erb

-sh

rub

p

refe

rre

d

Malla

rd

ponds,

la

kes,

m

arsh

es.

rive

rs

S-R

w

ate

r,

gro

un

d

(in

sect

s,

gro

un

d

veg

eta

tion

)

Blu

e-w

ing

ed

te

al

ponds,

la

kes,

m

arsh

es.

rive

rs

S

wa

ter

(in

sect

s,

veg

eta

tion

) g

rou

nd

Cin

nam

on

tea

l ponds,

la

kes,

m

arsh

es.

rive

rs

S

wa

ter

(in

sect

s,

veg

eta

tion

) g

rou

nd

Ga

dw

ell

ponds.

m

ars

hes

b,

b,

Euro

pean

wid

ge

on

Am

eri

can

w

idg

eo

n

ponds,

la

kes,

m

ars

hes

Red

head

la

kes

S

wa

ter

(in

sect

s,

veg

eta

tion

) g

rou

nd

W

wa

ter

(in

sect

s,

veg

eta

tion

)

he

rb-s

hru

b

he

rb-s

hru

b

he

rb-s

hru

b

he

rb

he

rb

S-R

wa

ter

(in

sect

s.

veg

eta

tion

) g

rou

nd

h

erb

-sh

rub

S w

ate

r (v

eg

eta

tion

) w

ate

r.

gro

un

d

he

rb-s

hru

b

Gre

ate

r sc

aup

Le

sse

r sc

aup

Harlequin

duck

ponds,

la

kes,

sl

uggis

h

rive

rs

W

wa

ter

(ve

ge

tatio

n.

mo

llusc

s)

gro

un

d

ponds,

la

kes,

m

ars

hes

S-R

w

ate

r (in

sect

s,

veg

eta

tion

) g

rou

nd

fast

ri

vers

S

w

ate

r (in

sect

s.

veg

eta

tion

) g

rou

nd

wa

ter-

he

rb

wa

ter-

he

rb

he

rb-s

hru

b

vers

atil

e

pre

ferr

ed

pre

ferr

ed

pre

ferr

ed

vers

atil

e

vers

atil

e

pre

ferr

ed

pre

ferr

ed

vers

atil

e

pre

ferr

ed

RE

QU

IRE

ME

NT

S

SP

EC

IES

H

AB

ITA

T

Fo

od

R

ep

rod

uct

ion

C

ove

r Im

po

rta

nc

e

Lo

ng

-bill

ed

do

wit

che

r

lake

s.

rive

rs

gro

un

d

(in

sect

s)

he

rb

gro

un

d

gro

un

d

he

rb

he

rb

he

rb

he

rb-t

ree

he

rb

vers

atil

e

pre

ferr

ed

vers

atil

e

vers

atil

e

vers

atil

e

Co

mm

on

sn

ipe

mar

shes

. b

og

s w

ate

r,

gro

un

d

(in

sect

s)

Wils

on

's

phala

rope

mars

hes,

sl

ough

s,

sha

llow

la

kes

wa

ter

(in

sect

s)

Fra

nkl

in's

gull

mar

shes

, la

kes

wa

ter,

g

rou

nd

(i

nse

cts)

musk

egs,

ponds,

la

kes

Bonapart

e's

g

ull

wa

ter,

g

rou

nd

(in

sect

s,

mo

llusc

s,

tre

e

can

op

y

cru

sta

cea

ns.

fis

h)

b,

CD

R

ing

-bill

ed

g

ull

ponds,

la

kes,

ri

vers

w

ate

r,

gro

un

d

(in

sect

s,

eg

gs)

wa

ter,

g

rou

nd

(in

sect

s,

fish

. g

rou

nd

eg

gs)

He

rrin

g

gull

Co

mm

on

te

rn

lake

s,

rive

rs

lake

s.

rive

rs

he

rb

he

rb

vers

atil

e

pre

ferr

ed

w

ate

r (f

ish

)

Mo

urn

ing

d

ove

w

oo

dla

nd

s S

-R

gro

un

d

(in

sect

s,

grai

n,

ma

st)

tre

e

can

op

y

(co

nif

ero

us)

shru

b-t

ree

tre

e

un

imp

ort

an

t

un

imp

ort

an

t C

om

mo

n

ba

rn-o

wl

op

en

ar

eas

A

gro

un

d

(mam

mal

s)

tre

e

bo

le

We

ste

rn

wo

od

lan

ds

Scr

ee

ch-o

wl

S-R

G

rou

nd

(in

sect

s.

he

rptil

es,

b

ird

s,

tre

e

bo

le

mam

mal

s)

shru

b-t

ree

ve

rsa

tile

RE

QU

IRE

ME

NT

S

SP

EC

IES

H

AB

ITA

T

SE

AS

ON

Fo

od

R

ep

rod

uct

ion

C

ove

r Im

po

rta

nc

e

Gre

at

ho

rne

d

ow

l w

oo

dla

nd

s R

g

rou

nd

, sh

rub

s (b

irds.

m

amm

als)

tr

ee

b

ole

, ca

no

py

tre

e

vers

at~

le

Long-e

are

d

ow

l riparian

fore

st.

thic

kets

S-

R

gro

un

d

(in

sect

s,

bird

s,

mam

mal

s)

shru

b-t

ree

ca

no

py

shru

b-t

ree

p

refe

rre

d

No

rth

ern

sa

w-w

he

t

ow

l

Bla

ck

sw

ift

Vaux'

s s

wif

t

Calli

ope

hu

mm

ing

bir

d

Ruf o

us

hu

mm

ing

bir

d

Be

lte

d

kin

gfis

he

r

Le

wis

' w

oo

dp

eck

er

Ye

llow

-be

llie

d

sapsu

cker

Do

wn

y w

oo

dp

eck

er

wo

od

lan

ds,

th

icke

ts

ponds,

la

kes,

ri

vers

wo

od

lan

ds

R

gro

un

d-s

hru

b

(in

sect

s,

bird

s.

tre

e

bo

le

mam

mal

s)

shru

b-t

ree

ve

rsa

tile

S

air

(in

sect

s)

cli

ffs

u

nim

po

rta

nt

S

air

(in

sect

s)

tre

e

bo

le

tre

e

(de

cid

uo

us)

S

he

rb-a

ir

(in

sect

s,

ne

cta

r)

tre

e

can

op

y tr

ee

(d

eci

du

ou

s)

S

he

rb-a

ir

(in

sect

s,

ne

cta

r)

shru

b-t

ree

ca

no

py

he

rb-t

ree

lake

s,

rive

rs

S-R

w

ate

r (f

ish

) b

an

ks

op

en

ar

eas

wit

h

sca

tte

red

tr

ee

s S

-R

herb

-air

(in

sect

s,

fru

it)

tre

e

bo

le

wo

od

lan

ds

S-R

shru

b-t

ree

(s

ap)

tre

e

bo

le

wo

od

lan

ds,

sh

rubs

R

shru

b-t

ree

,(

inse

cts,

fr

uit

) tr

ee

b

ole

shru

b-t

ree

tre

e

shru

b-t

ree

shru

b-t

ree

vers

atil

e

un

imp

ort

an

t

un

imp

ort

an

t

pre

ferr

ed

vers

atil

e

vers

atil

e

un

imp

ort

an

t

SP

EC

IES

H

AB

ITA

T

RE

QU

IRE

ME

NT

S

SE

AS

ON

Fo

od

R

ep

rod

ucti

on

C

ove

r Im

po

rta

nc

e

Hai

ry

wo

od

pe

cke

r fo

rests

R

sh

rub

-tre

e

(in

sect

s,

fru

it)

tre

e

bo

le

shru

b-t

ree

u

nim

po

rta

nt

No

rth

ern

fl

icke

r o

pe

n

area

s w

ith

tr

ee

s

Pile

ate

d

wo

od

lan

ds

wo

od

pe

cke

r

we

ste

rn

op

en

w

oo

dla

nd

s

wo

od

-pe

we

e

R

gro

un

d-t

ree

s (in

sect

s,

fru

it,

tre

e

bo

le

grai

n,

see

ds)

tre

e

vers

atil

e

R

tre

es

(in

sect

s)

tre

e

bo

le

tre

e

un

imp

ort

an

t

S

air

(in

sect

s)

shru

b-t

ree

ca

no

py

shru

b

pre

ferr

ed

ald

er

flyca

tch

er

thic

kets

S

ai

r (in

sect

s)

-.

We

ste

rn

flyca

tch

er

mix

ed

or

co

nif

ero

us

wo

od

lan

ds

S

air

(in

secl

s)

Vio

let-

gre

en

sw

allo

w

Ban

k sw

allo

w

Cli

ff

sw

allo

w

shru

b

tre

e

bo

le

shru

b

tre

e

East

ern

ki

ng

bir

d

op

en

ar

eas.

bogs,

la

kes,

ri

vers

S

w

ate

r-a

ir

(in

sect

s.

fru

it,

be

rrie

s)

shru

b-t

ree

ca

no

py

shru

b-t

ree

Tre

e

sw

all

ow

ponds,

la

kes,

st

ream

s S

ai

r (in

sect

s)

tre

e

bo

le

shru

b-t

ree

op

en

ar

eas,

w

oo

dla

nd

s S

ai

r (in

sect

s)

op

en

ar

eas

S

air

(in

sect

s)

op

en

w

ate

r,

mars

hes

S

air

(ih

sect

s)

shru

b-t

ree

ca

no

py

shru

b-t

ree

ba

nks

h

erb

-sh

rub

bu

ildin

gs

pre

ferr

ed

pre

ferr

ed

vers

atil

e

pre

ferr

ed

un

imp

ort

an

t

vers

atil

e

vers

atil

e

SP

EC

IES

H

AB

ITA

T

RE

QU

IRE

ME

NT

S

SE

AS

ON

Fo

od

R

ep

rod

uct

ion

C

ove

r Im

po

rta

nce

Barn

s

wa

llo

w

op

en

w

ate

r,

mars

hes

S

air

(in

sect

s),

build

ing

s

Ste

ller's

ja

y w

oo

dla

nd

s,

riparian

thic

kets

W

-R

gro

un

d-t

ree

(in

sect

s.

fru

it,

grai

n,

tre

e

can

op

y tr

ee

se

ed

s)

(co

nif

ero

us)

Bla

ck-b

ille

d

magpie

th

icke

ts,

stre

am

s

Am

eri

can

c

row

o

pe

n

area

s.

wo

od

lan

ds

Co

mm

on

ra

ven

N

Bla

ck-c

apped

chic

kadee

lake

s,

rive

rs

wo

od

lan

ds,

th

icke

ts

Mounta

in

chic

kad

ee

co

nif

ero

us

fore

sts,

d

eci

du

ou

s

thic

kets

Win

ter

wre

n

con

ife

rou

s w

oo

dla

nd

s

Am

eri

can

d

ipp

er

mounta

in

ponds,

st

rea

ms

Go

lde

n-c

row

ne

d

con

ife

rou

s an

d m

ixe

d

kin

gle

t w

oo

dla

nd

s

Ru

by-

cro

wn

ed

co

nif

ero

us

and

mix

ed

kin

gle

t w

oo

dla

nd

s,

thic

kets

vers

atil

e

vers

atil

e

R

gro

un

d-t

ree

(in

sect

s,

fru

it,

grai

n,

shru

b-t

ree

ca

no

py

shru

b-t

ree

ve

rsa

tile

see

ds)

S-R

g

rou

nd

-air

(in

sect

s,

fru

it,

gram

, g

rou

nd

-tre

e

can

op

y tr

ee

u

nim

po

rta

nt

mam

mal

s,

carr

ion

)

R

gro

ud

air

(in

sect

s.

fru

it,

grai

n,

gro

un

d-t

ree

ca

no

py

tre

e

mam

mal

s)

R

gro

un

d-a

ir

(in

sect

s,

fru

it.

see

ds)

tr

ee

b

ole

sh

rub

-tre

e

tre

e

(in

sect

s,

fru

it,

see

ds)

tr

ee

b

ole

tr

ee

S-R

g

rou

nd

-sh

rub

(i

nse

cts)

g

rou

nd

-tre

e

bo

le

shru

b-t

ree

R

wa

ter

(fis

h

eggs

, fr

y)

ledg

es,

b

uild

ing

s

S-R

sh

rub

-tre

e

(in

sect

s)

S-R

sh

rub

-tre

e

(in

sect

s)

tre

e

can

op

y sh

rub

-tre

e

(co

nif

ero

us)

tre

e

can

op

y sh

rub

-tre

e

(co

nif

ero

us)

vers

atil

e

vers

atil

e

un

imp

ort

an

t

vers

atil

e

pre

ferr

ed

un

imp

ort

an

t

vers

atil

e

REFERENCES

Aitchison, Stewart W. 1977. Some effects of a campground on breeding birds in Arizona. R. Roy Johnson and Dale A. Jones. Importance, preservation and management of riparian habitat: a symposium. USDA For. Serv. Gen. Tech. Rep. RM-43. p. 175- 182.

Armson, K.A. 1985. The mandate: policies and planning. In Proceedings: forestry and wildlife management in Canada: a symposium. The Forestry Chronicle 61 :128-130.

Balda, Russell, P. 1975. Vegetation structure and breeding bird density. IJ Dixie R. Smith (tech. coord.). Proceedings of the symposium on management of forest and range habitats for nongame birds. USDA For. Serv. Gen. Tech. Rep. WO- 1. p.59-80.

Banfield, A.W.F. 1974. The mammals of Canada. National Museum of Natural Sciences, National Museums of Canada. Univ. o f Toronto Press, Toronto. 438 pp.

Boreal, Cariboo Subgroup. 1978. Boreal, Cariboo wetlands- status and needs. Williams Lake. Appendix 'A'. British Columbia Wetlands Working Group 1 8 ~ ~ .

Bunnell, Fred L. and Don S. Eastman. 1976. Effects of forest management practices on wi ldl i fe in forests of British Columbia. Proceedings, Division I, XVI International Union of Forest Research Organizations, World Congress, Norway. p.63 1-689.

Busby, Frank E. 1979. Riparian and stream ecosystems, livestock grazing, and multiple-use management. In Oliver B. Cope. Proceedings of the forum- grazing and riparian/stream ecosystems. Trout Unlimited, Inc. p.6-12.

'

Cannings, Robert A., Richard J. Cannings and Sydney G. Cannings. 1984. The birds of the Okanagan valley, British Columbia. B.C. Provincial Museum Occassional Paper (in preparation).

Carlson, Glen. Personal communication. Fish and Wildlife Branch, British Columbia Ministry of Environment, Surrey.

Carothers, Steven W. 1977. Importance, preservation and management of riparian habitat: an overview. R. Roy Johnson and Dale A. Jones. Importance, preservation and management o f riparian habitats: a symposium. USDA For. Serv. Gen. Tech. Rep. RM-43. p.2-4.

Chapman, Joseph A. and George A. Feldhamer. 1982. Wild mammals of North America- biology, management, and economics. John Hopkins University Press, Baltimore. 1147 pp.

Cline, Steven P. and Charles A. Phillips. 1983. Coarse woody debris and debris-dependent wi ldl i fe in logged and natural riparian zone forests- a western Oregon example. In Snag habitat management: proceedings of a symposium. USDA For. Serv. Gen. Tech. Rep. RM-99. p.33-39.

Dealy, J. Edward, Donavin A. Leckenby and Diane M. Concannon. 1981. Wildl i fe habitats in managed rangelands: the Great Basin o f Southeastern Oregon. Plant communities and their importance to wildl i fe. USDA Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW- 120. 66pp.

Demarchi, Ray A. 1985. What the wildl i fe manager expects from foresters- new initiatives in forestry and wi ldl i fe management in Canada. Proceedings: forestry and wildl i fe management in Canada: a symposium. The Forestry Chronicle 61 :137-139.

Ewel, Katherine Carter. 1979. Riparian ecosystems: conservation o f their unique characteristics. R. Roy Johnson and J. Frank McCormick (tech. coords.) Strategies for protection and management o f floodplain wetlands and other riparian ecosystems. USDA For. Serv. Gen. Tech. Rep. WO-12. p.56-62.

Fowells, H.A. 1965. Silvics of forest trees of the United States. USDA Agric. Handbook No. 271.

Godfrey, W. Earl. 1979. The birds of Canada. National Museums of Canada. Ottawa. 428pp.

Hamilton, Robert B. and Robert E. Noble. 1975. PImt succession and interactions with fauna. In Dixie R. Smith (tech. coord.). Proceedings o f the symposium on management of forest and range habitats for nongame birds. USDA For. Serv. Gen. Tech. Rep. WO-1. p.96-114.

Harcombe, Andrew P. 1984. Wildl i fe Habitat Handbooks for British Columbia: .

problem analysis. Wildl i fe ~ a b i t a t Research WHR-8, Fish and Wildlife Report No. R-10, Ministry of Environment Report No. 8, British Columbia Ministries o f Forests and Environment. 237pp.

Harcombe, Andrew P. (In press). Wildl i fe Habitat Handbooks for British Columbia: working plan. Wildl i fe Branch, British Columbia Ministry o f Environment.

Harcombe, Andrew P. Personal communication. Project Coordinator, British Columbia Wildl ife Habitat Handbooks Project, British Columbia Ministry of Environment, Kamloops.

Hirsch, Allan and Charles A. Segelquist. 1979. Position paper: Protection and management of riparian ecosystems: activities and views of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. R. Roy Johnson and J. Frank McCormick (tech. coords.) Strategies for protection and management o f floodplain wetlands and other riparian ecosystems. USDA For. Serv. Gen. Tech. Rep. WO-12. p.344-352.

Innes, M.R. 1985. The problems o f integrating forestry and w i ld l i f e management: the foresters' viewpoint. In Proceedings: forestry and w i ld l i f e management in Canada: a symposium. The Forestry Chronicle 6::134-136.

Johnson, R. Roy and Steven W. Carothers. 1982. Riparian habitat and recreation interrelationships and impacts in the southwest and Rocky Mountain region. USDA Eisenhower Consortium Bulletin 12. 31pp.

Knopf, F.L. and R.W. Cannon. 1982. Structural resilience o f a w i l l ow riparian community to changes in grazing practices. In James NI. Peek and P.D. Dalke. Wildl i fe-l ivestock relationships symposium. Proceedings 10, Univ. o f Idaho. Forest, Wi ld l i fe and Range Experimental Station, Moscow, Idaho. 6 l4pp.

Lea, George D. 1979. BLM management and po l icy fo r riparian/stream ecosystems. In Oliver B. Cope. Proceedings o f the forum- grazing and r ipar ianhtream - ecosystems. Trout Unlimited, Inc. p 13- 15.

McLean, Alistair and W.D. Holland. 1958. Vegetation zones and their relationships t o the soi ls and cl imate o f the upper Columbia valley. Can. J. Plant Sci. 38:328-345.

MYCloskey, Robert T. 1975. Habitat succession and rodent distribution. J. Mammalogy 56:950-955.

Mitchell, W.R. and R.E. Green. 198 1. ldent i f ication and interpretation o f ecosystems o f the western Kamloops Forest Region. Volume I. Ministry o f Forests, Kamloops. B.C. 180pp.

National Research Council. 1982. Impacts o f emerging agricultural trends on f ish and w i ld l i f e habitat. National Academy Press, Washington, D.C. 303pp.

Nelson, R.D. and H. Salwasser. 1982. The Forest Service w i ld l i f e and f ish habitat relationships program. Trans. North American Wi ld l i fe and Natural Resources Conference. 47:174- 183.

Odum, Eugene P. 1979. Ecological importance o f the riparian zone. In R. Roy Johnson and J. Frank McCormick (tech. coords.) Strategies for protection and management o f f loodplain wetlands and other riparian ecosystems. USDA For. Serv. Gen. Tech. Rep. WO-12. p.2-4.

Orchard, Stan A. 1984. Amphibians and repti les o f B.C.: an ecological review. Research Branch, Brit ish Columbia Ministry o f Forests, Victoria. WHR-15. 268pp.

Platts, Wi l l iam S. 1979. Livestock grazing and riparian/stream ecosystems- an overview. In Oliver B. Cope. Proceedings o f the forum- grazing and riparian/stream ecosystems. Trout Unlimited, Inc. p.39-45.

Platts, Wi l l iam S. 1981. Sheep and catt le grazing strategies in riparian-stream environments. In Peek, James M. and P.D. Dalke. 1982. Wildl i fe-l ivestock relationships symposium. Proceedings 10. Univ. o f Idaho. Forest, Wi ld l i fe and Range Experimental Station. Moscow, Idaho. p.251-270.

Roberts, Warren G., J. Greg Howe and Jack Major. 1977. A survey o f riparian forest f lora and fauna in California. In Anne Sands (tech. coord). Riparian forests in California- their ecology and conservation. Symposium. Institute Ecol. Public. No. 15. Univ. o f California, Davis, California.

Robinette, W. Leslie. 1972. Browse and cover fo r wi ld l i fe. In Cyrus M. McKell, James P. Blaisdell and Joe R. Goodin. Wildland shrubs- their b io logy and util ization. USDA For. Serv. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-1. p.69-76.

Robinson, D. 1983. Is w i ld l i f e management unique? Managing wi ld l i fe w i th a reduced budget, or what do w e do now? Trans. Federal-Provincial Wi ld l i fe Conference. 47:77-80.

Sanderson, G.C., E.D. Ables, R.D. Sparrowe, J.R. Grieb, L.D. Harris and A.N. Moen. 1979. Research needs in wi ld l i fe. Trans. North American Wi ld l i fe and Natural Resources Conference 44:166- 175.

Sct-iamberger, Mel and Adrian Farmer. 1978. The habitat evaluation procedures: their application in project planning and impact evaluation. Trans. North American Wi ld l i fe and Natural Resources Conference. 43:274-283.

Shafer, Donna M., Peter F. F fo l l io t t and David R. Patton. 1982. Management o f riparian vegetation f o r solrthwestern wildl i fe. Run Wi ld Wi ld l i fef labi tat Relationships. USDA For. Serv. Tech. Rep. SW Region. 20pp.

Short, Henry L. and Kenneth P. Burnham. 1982. Technique f o r structuring wi ld l i fe guilds t o evaluate impacts on w i ld l i f e communities. U S . Fish and Wi ld l i fe Service. Special Scient i f ic Rep., Wi ld l i fe No. 244. 20pp.

Sprunt, Alexander. 1975. Habitat management implications o f migration. In Dixie R. Smith (tech. coord.). Proceedings o f the symposium on management o f forest and range habitats for nongame birds. USDA For. Serv. Gen. Tech. Rep. WO- 1. p.8 1-86.

Storch, Robert L. 1979. Livestock/streamside management programs in eastern Oregon. In Oliver B. Cope. Proceedings o f the forum- grazing and riparian/stream ecosystems. Trout Unlimited, Inc. p.56-59.

Storch, Robert L. 1983. The integration o f the riparian zone in the grazing management o f associated rangelands. In Ben. F. Roche, Jr. and David M. Baurngartner (eds.) Forestland grazing. Proceedings o f Symposium. Cooperative Extension, Wash. State Univ. p. 19-2 1.

Surrendi, D.C. 1983. Is w i ld l i f e management unique? Future considerations. Trans. Federal-Provincial Wi ld l i fe Conference. 47:74-76.

Swan, Bil l . 1979. Riparian habitat- the cattlemen's viewpoint. In Oliver B. Cope. Proceedings o f the forum- grazing and riparian/stream ecosystems. Trout Unlimited, Inc. p.4-6.

Taverner, P.A. 1926. Birds o f western Canada. Museum Bulletin No. 41, Biological Series No. 10. Department o f Mines, Ottawa, Canada. 380pp.

Thomas, Jack Ward (tech. ed.). 1979. Wi ld l i fe habitats in managed forests- the Blue Mountains o f Oregon and Washington. USDA For. Serv., Agric. Handbook No. 553. 512pp.

Thomas. Jack Ward. 1982a. Accounting fo r w i ld l i fe habitats in managed forests. In J. Chadwick Day and Richard Stace-Smith (eds.). Brit ish Columbia land - for wi ld l i fe : past, present and future. Proceedings o f Symposium. Simon Fraser Univ., Burnaby, Brit ish Columbia. p159-173.

Thomas, Jack Ward. 1982b. Needs f o r and approaches t o w i ld l i f e habitat assessment. Trans. North American Wi ld l i fe and Natural Resources Conference. 47:35-46.

Thomas, Jack Ward, Chris Maser and Jon E. Rodiek. 1979a. Wi ld l i fe habitats in managed rangelands- the Great Basin o f southeastern Oregon- riparian zones. USDA For. Serv. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-80. 18pp.

Thomas, Jack Ward, Chris Maser and Jon E. Rodiek. 1979b. Wi ld l i fe habitats in managed rangelands. The Great Basin o f southeastern Oregon- edges. USDA For. Serv. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-85. 17pp.

Weller, Milton, W. 1978. Management o f freshwater marshes fo r wi ld l i fe. In Ralph E. Good, Dennis F. Whigham and Robert L. Simpson. Freshwater wetlands: ecological processes and management potential. Academic Press. New York. 378pp.

Yeager, L. E. 1961. Classif ication o f North American mammals and birds according t o habitat preference. J. Forestry 59:671-674.