Ecosystems

Campus ecosystems at UBC Okanagan play a vital role in supporting biodiversity and sustainability efforts. They provide habitats, support natural processes like carbon sequestration and water management, and offer educational opportunities for the university and its community.

In support of the UBC Okanagan Campus Plan the intent to sustain and enhance local landscape and ecology, the Whole Systems Infrastructure Plan outlines a vision for providing an ecologically rich and diverse campus environment and will provide additional cultural, aesthetic, and recreational value to the broader community. The identification of environmentally sensitive areas on campus helps to guide and inform campus development and best management practices.

Building Project Design Teams and interested members of the campus community should reference available campus environmental sensitivity analysis and ecological mapping in conjunction with the UBC Okanagan Sustainability Office (Associate Director, Sustainability Operations) for interpretation and/or guidance on specific ecological project considerations for development.

Campus Environmental Assessments

Environmental assessments provide valuable data and analysis to inform land use planning that may be triggered by relevant municipal, provincial and federal legislation. These assessments can provide guidance on best management practices, alternative options and proactive measures to mitigate the potential environmental risks of land use changes.

To interpret campus ESA mapping or if there is uncertainty on the need for an environmental assessment, contact the Associate Director, Sustainability Operations.

2023 Ecological Analysis Update: The 2023 Ecological Analysis Update (part 1 and part 2a and part 2b) builds on the initial 2014 Ecological Analysis Inventory Report and to include the main campus and west campus lands. It provides: 1. Campus ecosystems change analysis and retention objectives 2. Ecological inventory update 3. Wildlife tree inventory 4. Culturally important plants (to be confirmed) 5. Wildfire considerations.
2021 Update: The 2021 update Figure 2 – Ecosystem Polygons – ESA Full Campus presently provides a map illustrating ecosystem polygons and their environmental sensitivity. This Map is intended to inform assessment of site conditions and ecological status for each development project as well as future campus planning and development, with necessary follow up studies as appropriate.
2014 Ecological Analysis: The 2014 Ecological Analysis is a comprehensive review of ecological units, wildlife presence, and the occurrence of species at risk (endangered and threatened species) within the campus. It divided the campus into seven polygons representative of distinct habitat types and value for biodiversity (coniferous woodland grassland etc.). The Ecological Analysis also recommended general strategies for restoring and enhancing ecological values.

Species at Risk

Species at risk are defined as plants, animals, and ecological communities that are of conservation concern because of rarity, restricted range, and/or population decline. Most occur in natural ecosystems. Approximately 52 species at risk may occur on the UBC Okanagan Campus including 11 plants, 14 birds, and 12 invertebrates. Noteworthy species include the Great Basin spadefoot toad, western painted turtle, American avocet, and California gull.

Environmentally sensitive areas (ESAs) refer to specific locations or habitats that are vulnerable to environmental degradation due to their ecological value or sensitivity. ESA mapping is a valuable tool for identifying and managing areas that have ecological value.

Below is an inventory of reports commissioned by the Sustainability Office, Campus Planning to guide the campus’ best management practices for habitat and species protection.

Campus Species Highlights

Learn more about at-risk species on campus below. This is not an exhaustive list—more information is coming soon.

Reports Prepared by Academic Subject Matter Experts

Below are key reports prepared by our academic subject matter experts to support ecological and species planning on campus.