| Brenda Beckwith at work in a Garry Oak ecosystem
|
| |
| Investigators |
| Brenda Beckwith (Ph.D. candidate), Department of Biology and School of Environmental Studies, University of British Columbia
Dr. Nancy Turner, School of Environmental Studies, University of Victoria
|
What is the Issue? |
| INVESTIGATION OF MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND ECOSYSTEM RECOVERY |
|
The Garry Oak ecosystems on southern and southeastern Vancouver Island and the adjacent Gulf Islands of British Columbia are biologically diverse landscapes that have co-evolved with the traditional ecological knowledge and management of the indigenous peoples. Intensive management for blue camas bulbs and other plant resources had profound ecological effects on sustaining the composition and diversity of the landscape. Suppression of indigenous management and knowledge, as well as the use of fire and uncontrolled land development has reduced the Garry oak ecosystems to the point where only an estimated one percent of these ecosystems remain in a "natural" state. This research intends to establish a solid research foundation on the ecological role of indigenous management practices, which may serve as a guide to developing an effective conservation strategy for the remaining Garry Oak forests. |
What is our goal? |
| CONSERVE ENDANGERED SPECIES.
|
Where we currently stand. |
| The project will include historical/archival research, ethnographic research and palaeoecological investigation as well as applied field and nursery ecology. The nursery studies were initiated in spring 1998, and field studies began in spring 1999. Cores from Saanich Inlet, various wetlands, and other soil samples will be collected for pollen, charcoal and spore analysis. Intensive archival research will commence in the spring of 2001, as will collaboration and interviews with members of the Songhees Nation. Educational materials will be produced and shared with the Songhees nation, and the Ph.D. dissertation is expected to be completed summer 2002. |
You can help this project - find out how. |
|
