BC's Coast Mountains also known as Vancouver's playground are gaining popularity among people striking out in search of nature. But are outdoor visitors actually hurting the ecosystems that they love?
A team of researchers led by the University of Victoria (UVic) is partnering with the Squamish Nation and BC Parks to investigate this under-studied area, which many fear is increasingly overused.
"Recreational activities affect water quality, plant community composition and wildlife behaviour, which have led to conflicts over shared use," says Noémie Boulanger-Lapointe, UVic assistant professor, geography.
Chelsea Little, Hannah Marton, and Emmalee Barrett hike toward the alpine glacier in Sentinel Bay, Garibaldi Provincial Park. Credit: Colleen Dawson.
Mountain ecosystems are vulnerable to warming temperatures causing accelerated loss of glaciers as well as cold-adapted plant and animal species. At the same time, backcountry traffic in coastal areas like Squamish and Pemberton has increased, researchers say.
Boulanger-Lapointe is leading the Alpine Horizons research initiative that will provide new information supporting the conservation of these ecosystems, while balancing the benefits for users. In collaboration with the Squamish First Nation and BC Parks, the project team's intention is to develop an assessment tool to help with mountain-use decisions.
"The goal of this partnership is to co-develop integrative assessment tools that will be used by partner organizations to make evidence-based decisions regarding the management of natural resources, the protection of natural habitats, Indigenous stewardship practices and geo-hazard risk management in mountain systems," Boulanger-Lapointe says.
Hannah Marton identifies alpine plant communities in Sentinel Bay, Garibaldi Provincial Park. Credit: Chelsea Little.
"We are extremely pleased to participate in this important work being undertaken in our Territory," says Sxwíxwtn Wilson Williams, spokesperson and S wx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) councillor.
"During this research, our field technicians will provide oversight to ensure there is no disturbance in areas of cultural and archaeological significance to our Nation, while also collecting data on how climate change and recreational use are affecting higher elevations in the alpine. The Squamish Nation has lived on this land for thousands of years, and our mission is to ensure it continues to exist in all its beauty for generations to come."
This research is supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Alliance Grant, and is a partnership between Squamish First Nation, BC Parks, the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University.
This research supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals No. 13 (climate action) and No. 15 (life on land). Learn more about the Sustainable Development Goals at UVic.
