Transcript Final Sign Devon Francis

Sign made by Devon Francis, Quest University Canada, 2015
Squamish Forest Ecosystems
Ecosystem (noun): a community of species interacting with themselves and the physical environment1
Ecosystem Controls
Forest Layers
A temperate forest has three layers:
What makes an
area good for
forests?
Why isn’t
Squamish
full of cacti?
There are many factors that
influence the type of vegetation
that can grow in an area.
Precipitation and temperature
are two of the biggest controls.
Big trees need large amounts of
water to photosynthesize, and
most plants can’t grow in
places that are too hot or cold.
Soil composition, landforms,
and historical factors like
human interference can also
impact the vegetation growth.
The Canopy
Western
This layer contains all the tops of the
tallest trees, which absorb most of the
sunlight that hits the forest.
Temperate canopies usually include
Douglas Fir, Western Hemlock, and
Western Red Cedar.
Hemlock2
Red Alder3
The Understory
This layer contains some of the
shorter trees and large bushes. Much
less sunlight reaches this layer, which
is why plants in this layer have larger
leaves to absorb more light. Plant in
this layer include Red Alder and Vine
Maple.
Sword Fern4
Squamish Forests
Squamish forests are part of the
only temperate rainforest biome
in North America.7 These
ecosystems are rare because
they require a moderate
climate, seasonal variability,
and high rates of precipitation.
Squamish forests are home to
both deciduous (broad-leafed)
and coniferous (needle-leafed)
trees. Some of the most
common trees include Western
Hemlock, Western Red Cedar,
Red Alder, and Douglas Fir.
The Forest Floor
This layer contains all of the plants
covering the ground of the forest.
Hardly any sunlight reaches the
floor. Plants in this layer include
Sword Ferns and Skunk cabbage,
along with many species of grass and
moss.
Skunk Cabbage5
The Future for Squamish Forests
North America is currently divided into zones of average temperature, with the areas closest to the equator being
the warmest, as shown in the map on the right.6 As the Earth warms over the next few decades, the climate zones
will move northward, and the average temperature in Squamish will increase. This will lead to changes like:
• More rainfall
• Less snowpack
• Increased flooding in the winter
• Decrease in water availability in the summer
So what will Squamish forests look like in 40 years? Some species may flourish in the expanded growing seasons and warmer
temperatures. Species like Red Alder, however, are projected to see decreases in their growth and geographic distribution. This may
mean that Squamish will see different trees dominating the forests in the future, and possibly less forested area in general. However,
there are options for slowing this process.
1. Perry, D. A., Oren, R., & Hart, S. C. (2008). Forest Ecosystems (2nd ed.). Baltimore,
MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press.
2. http://islandnature.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/western_hemlock2.jpg
3. http://supertrees.com/sites/default/files/ Alder,%20Red%20Leaves.jpg
4. http://www.carolscornwall.com/Plants%20Lichens% 20and%20Fungi/FernPolystichum%20munitum11-06-09.jpg
5. http://nature.ca/plnt/popups/photos/f1000099lg.jpg
6. http://www.cec.org/Atlas/Files/NA_Temperature/NA_AnnualMeanTemperature.JPG
7. http://www.animalcorner.co.uk/rainforests/graphics/tempforests.jpg
• Reducing C02 emissions
• Not logging in vulnerable areas
• Planting vegetation that can grow in warmer
temperatures
With everyone’s help, Squamish can continue to have beautiful forests for decades to come.