Biodiversity is Crucial: The Importance of Garry Oak Woodlands

 Garry Oak Woodlands were the first ecosystem to appear at the end of the last ice age, 8000 years ago. They are the original British Columbian landscape. The ecosystem most people think of as "Classic BC", Douglas Fir Rainforest, came afterwards when it started to rain more.

Settlers all but made the Garry Oak Woodlands extinct. We destroyed them for farms and cities. We also suppressed fires, which was an integral part of keeping the Garry Oak Ecosystem meadow-like.

 

The remaining Garry Oak Ecosystem is a habitat for more species than any other ecosystem in Canada. Several of these species can only exist in Garry Oak Woodlands and nowhere else. As the ecosystem fades, they will go extinct.

 

As our climate becomes warmer and drier, it becomes more susceptible to invasive species. The Rainforest ecosystem will shrink and species that take over and kill everything (Scotch broom, Himalayan Blackberry, Orchard Grass for example) could move in. If that happens, it will disrupt the network and we will witness mass extinction.

Fortunately, Garry Oak Woodlands also favour warm and dry conditions. If they move into the void left by climate change, a good ecosystem will grow and nature in British Columbia will thrive.

Everything in nature is connected. If you remove one thing, no matter how small, it changes everything. Garry Oak Woodlands are a crucial part of the network of nature.