Shoreline Dune Plants - Pacific Rim

This program monitors the extent of three shoreline (dune) plants that are either endangered (Pink Sand-verbena (Abronia umbellata)), threatened (Silky Beach Pea (Lathyrus littoralis), also known as dune sweet-pea, and grey beach peavine), or the obligate habitat of an endangered species (Yellow Sand-verbena (Abronia latifolia), habitat for Sand-verbena moth (Copablepharon fuscum)). The survey is done annually at the end of August/beginning of September and involves a complete census of the Wickaninnish dunes and foredune down to high water mark using an RTK GPS (2.5cm 2DRMS 95%) system. To adjust for surveyor bias (choice of patch boundary and estimates of patch dimensions) and seasonal variations, polygons have been resampled to a 5m square grid and the metric is the sum of the occupied grid cells (area of occupancy). Where practicable the number of individuals has been recorded. In 2010 the survey extent did not include most of the back dune and 2012 data for a portion of the foredune was lost, therefore, data points for these years were imputed. Coastal sand dune habitats are relatively rare and have been declining in extent throughout British Columbia and the Park. Efforts to restore these habitats and fulfill the recovery strategy for Pink Sand-verbena by establishing three self-sustaining populations are ongoing. This measure is also linked to the study of invasive European beachgrass extent along Wickaninnish beach.

Organization: Parks Canada | Parcs Canada

Last modified: 2024-12-09T17:02:44.698102