Ecosystems

Campus ecosystems play a vital role in providing a range of services to support soil formation, provide fresh water and habitat, regulate climate, promote biodiversity and provide education and recreational value. Supporting campus ecosystems and implementing best management practices for species at risk is also a fundamental part of maintaining habitat and minimizing impacts to wildlife, plants and ecosystem communities.

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.

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 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.

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.

Species and Ecosystems at Risk Report:

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

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