www.rvsnowbirds.com | October/November 2010
housing the moss covered forest floor. Salmon streams supply numerous eco- systems including killer whales, wolf packs, eagles, black bears and grizzlies, and the Spirit or White Kermode bear. Coastal temperate rainforests originally covered less than 1/5 of 1 percent of the earth's land surface and are now considered among the rarest forested areas world-wide. These forests are characterized by three distinguishing features: their proximity to oceans, the presence of mountains, and subsequent high rainfall owing to the presence of the former geographic elements.
Trees can tower up to 300 feet and continue growing for more than a century and a half. The result of over 10,000 years of evolution which began when the glaciers of the last ice-age melted, these coastal forests have
evolved largely because of natural disturbances in the biology of the area.
Researchers are only now discovering the staggering number of organisms living in and beneath the canopy of the rainforests where the biological diversity may compare to those of tropical rainforests. Over 350 bird and animal species, including 48 species of amphibians and reptiles, 25 tree species, hundreds of fungi and lichens, and thousands of insects, mites, spiders and other soil organisms are known to thrive in the moist climate. Bears drag salmon carcasses into the forest where the decomposition infuses plenty of nitrogen into the forest soil spurring lush vegetation growth. Further to this, it is believed these woodlands may support the highest fungal and lichen diversity of any forest system in the world.
Yet despite its fragile status and
amazing diversity, clear-cut logging continues, logging roads cut across sensitive watersheds, and wildlife habitats are permanently destroyed. The provincial government of British Columbia has pledged to protect the area, but has not yet committed to following through with their promise.
Things to do:
− Kayaking − Guided Wildlife Excursions − Hiking − Explore the Regions Native Culture − Spirit Bear Treks − Yacht Charters − Ecosummer Expeditions − Bear Watching
NORTHERN BRITISH
Northern Rain Forest, Graham Osborne Photo
COLUMBIA 51
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