News/Reports

San Juan Ridge Purpose Statement 2003

Posted July 15, 2003 | Categories : 83,Human Disturbance,Management,Rare Species,Reports |

Primary Role The primary role of San Juan Ridge Ecological Reserve is to protect a rare and disjunct population of the white glacier lily, sub-alpine mountain hemlock vegetation, and subalpine wetlands. Overlooking rugged Juan de Fuca Provincial Park, this 130-hectare mountainous ecological reserve has a northerly aspect, ridgetop winds, and deep snowfall that result in the occurrence of sub-alpine and alpine vegetation at fairly low elevations.

See the full PDF at:sanjuanrd_ps

This provides suitable habitat for the white glacier lily (Erythronium montanum), a vulnerable blue-listed wildflower that occurs only in subalpine areas of Vancouver Island and the Mount Waddington area on the mainland of British Columbia. This is one of only two places this lily occurs on Vancouver Island. A rare snowbed lichen, Siphula ceratites, is also found in the ecological reserve in the subalpine forests. Mountain hemlock, amabalis fir, yellow cedar, mountain heather, small twistedstalk, Alaskan blueberry, copperbush, tiger lily and common red paintbrush are other species typical of this area. Wildlife such as black bear, cougar, and Columbian black-tailed deer move through this ecological reserve.

Management Issues

Known Management Issue

Unknown natural and cultural values

  • Undertake a species inventory, with assistance from natural groups.
  • Undertake cultural inventory and traditional use study in conjunction with First Nations.
  • Encourage naturalist groups to add to the body of knowledge for this ecological reserve.

Impacts from adjacent Kludahk Trail and cabins

  • Determine locations of access routes and work with local groups to minimize access.
  • Establish a monitoring program to determine the impact of recreation use on natural values.
  • Liaise with Kludahk Outdoors Club to educate club about ecological reserve and its values.
  • Work with groups to address existing impacts (such as litter).
  • Identify ecological reserve boundary through posting of signs in key locations.

More significant conservation values outside the ecological reserve

  • Review existing ecological reserve boundary and discuss possible acquisition strategy.
  • Liaise with CRD Parks (identified in Capital Regional District Parks Master Plan).

Potential impacts from nearby logging

  • Work with Ministry of Forests and forest companies to protect ecological reserve values during forest development and to minimize access.

Conservation

Representation – ecosection

  • San Juan Ridge Ecological Reserve contributes very minimally (0.04%) to the representation of the Windward Island Mountain Ecosection of which 17.42% is protected provincially.

biogeoclimatic subzone/variant

  • San Juan Ridge Ecological Reserve contributes very minimally (0.03%) to the representation of the MHmm1 variant which has 16% protected provincially. San Juan Ridge Ecological Reserve contributes insignificantly to the representation of the CWHvm2 variant.

Special Features

  • Excellent and relatively accessible population of the rare white glacier lily. Steep elevation drops in the ecological reserve provide unique viewing opportunities.

Rare/Endangered Values

  • Blue-listed: white glacier lily

Scientific/Research Opportunities

  • Amphibian population studies in bog area Recreation

Representation backcountry

  • Not Applicable; there is recreational use adjacent to Kludahk Trail destination

Destination:

  • Not Applicable

travel corridor

  • Not Applicable

local recreation

  • Ecological reserves are not meant for outdoor recreation; however, some hiking by local groups occurs. Management will work with groups to address potential impacts.

Special Opportunities

  • None known at this time

Education/Interpretation Opportunities

  • Offsite interpretation Cultural Heritage Representation Values unknown
  • Special Features —None known at this time.