News/Reports

FER researchers protect BC’s biodiversity

Posted June 10, 2007 | Categories : Reports,Research |

Spring Beauty to White-Tailed Ptarmigan FER researchers protect BC’s biodiversity

By Evelyn Hamilton, Chair, FER’s Science Advisory Committee
This edition of the Log features research undertaken in the last few years by a handful of keen scientists and funded in part by Friends of Ecological Reserves. Donations from our supporters made this possible and we thank them for their generous contributions.
Carla Rae Mellot’s work on western spring beauty is helping to ensure the persistence of this little plant, important as a food source to many First Nations in the southern interior. Her MSc thesis will help inform management decisions including the suitability of grazing in this area.
The taxonomic status of the mysterious coastal fern, Polystichum kwakiutlii, were unearthed by Patrick Williston, Paula Bertemucci and Chris Sears. Their work helped determine whether special protection is warranted for this fern.
Amy Wilson’s Ph.D. research on song sparrows is helping resource managers design protected areas that maintain the genetic diversity of bird species. Her work on the Gulf Islands is identifying barriers to dispersal in this species.
Vancouver Island white- tailed ptarmigans are the subject of Brad Fedy’s Ph.D. work. He is helping to determine the habitat requirements of this threatened sub-species.
In the Klaskish E.R., Krista Roessingh and Ingmar Lee’s research on the riparian ecosystem in the reserve will help guide future management actions. They assessed threats to the reserve and made recommendations regarding management, including the re- establishment of a heritage trail.

 

From the Friends of Ecological Reserves Newsletter Spring, 2007