Ecological reserves are areas selected to preserve representative and special natural ecosystems, plant and animal species, features and phenomena. The key goal of ecological reserves is to contribute to the maintenance of biological diversity and the protection of genetic materials. All consumptive resource uses and the use of motorized vehicles are prohibited. Access to the ecological reserves for research and education activities is by permit only.

Primary Role
The primary role of Woodley Range Ecological Reserve is to protect unique and species-rich meadow and woodland ecosystems. A well-known landmark in the Nanaimo-Ladysmith area, Woodley Range has an exceptionally high number of vascular plant species, as well as a number of rare elements and sensitive ecosystems. The ecological reserve protects 15 sensitive ecosystems (as catalogued by the Sensitive Ecosystem Inventory Program) that support approximately 200 or more species of vascular plants, 27 of which may be considered rare. Rich with wildflowers, the meadows contain concentrated stands of common camas.

Due to the geological phenomenon of the sandstone cuesta-like formation and shallow ridge soils, there are several rare plant communities and species, including the endangered whitetop aster and bog birdsfoot trefoil, the threatened slimleaf onion, dune bentgrass, greensheathed sedge and Nuttail’s quillwort. The endangered plant community of red alder / slough sedge is in this reserve.

Turkey vulture nest sites, vulnerable big-eared bats, and possibly endangered Keen’s long- eared myotis habitat are protected in Woodley Range Ecological Reserve. Cougar, bear and elk  also use the area. It is probable that the uncommon vegetation supports unusual insect and invertebrate communities that have not been fully documented yet.

Secondary Role
The secondary role is to represent the natural environment typical of Southern Vancouver Island. The ecological reserve is located in the Nanaimo Lowlands Ecosection (NAL) and protects the Coastal Douglas-fir (CDFmm) biogeoclimatic subzone. Both of these are greatly under represented in the protected areas system at 1.4% and 2.5% respectively and are under extreme pressures from agricultural and urban development. Thus, any protected area that contributes to the protection of these ecosystems may be considered important. In total, there are 22 small protected areas contributing to the protection of NAL and 73 small protected areas that contribute to the protection of CDFmm.

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Management Issues

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Representation – ecosection: Woodley Range Ecological Reserve contributes 3.2% to the representation of the Nanaimo Lowland Ecosection which has only 1.41% protected provincially. Woodley Range’s contribution ranks 8th out of 35 protected areas representing this ecosection.

– biogeoclimatic subzone/variant: Woodley Range Ecological Reserve contributes 2.39% to the representation of the CDFmm variant which has less than 2.5% protected provincially and is the smallest forest subzone in British Columbia with intensive urban and agricultural pressures. The contribution of Woodley Range Ecological Reserve to CDFmm is important given the fragmented nature of this ecosystem and the limited opportunities available for its protection.

Arctostaphylos columbiana (Manzanita) Photo by G.Fletcher

Special Features: Open glades and meadows on very shallow soils, seeps and wetland areas.
High biodiversity and rarity values and floral diversity equal to Ladysmith Bog and one of the highest of all ecological reserves in the provincial system . Turkey vulture nest sites, vulnerable big-eared bats, and endangered Keen’s long -eared myotis habitat (possible) are protec t e d.

Rare/Endangered Values :Rated by the Conservation Data Centre as High for rarity, scarcity and uniqueness. Red-listed species: whitetop aster (listed as Threatened by COSEWIC), bog birds-foot trefoil, red alder/slough sedge plant community. Blue-listedspecies: dunebentgrass, greensheathed sedge, slimleaf onion, Nuttall’s quillwort, western St. John’s wort, and Townsend’s big-eared bat.

Possible occurrence of Red-listed Keen’s long- eared myotis.

Scientific/Research Opportunities:Having this number of rare plants, unique communities and sensitive ecosystems in one small area offers unique opportunities for research and education. Ethnobotany, biodiversity, introduced species impacts and landscape dynamics (fire history). The underlying causes of the very high vascular plant diversity could be studied in conjunction with Ladysmith Bog ER located approximately 6 km away.

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Vulnerability

Has plant communities that are very sensitive to recreational human and animal disturbance. Red-listed species occur in close proximity to trails and ER border, and are susceptible to being lost to Scotch Broom invasion. Vegetation loss and disturbance from surrounding subdivisions’ increased use and use from unauthorized uses such as four-wheel drive vehicles, motorcycles and mountain bikes.