Plants and Wildlife
editPlants
editKanaka Creek is the home to a variety of plant species. Most of the park is considered a Coastal Douglas Fir Biogeoclimateic zone, however, the conditions change slightly along the creek path.[1]
The regional park is home to over 7 tree species including the Douglas Fir, Western Red Cedar, and Bigleaf Maple. The more humid areas of the park host around 6 species of fern such as the Lady Fern and Spiny Wood Fern. Common BC native shrubs are also located here like the Salmonberry and Blue Elderberry and over 40 species of native flowers like Pacific Bleeding hearts and False Lily of the Valley. Toxic plants like Skunk Cabbage can also be spotted in the park.[1][2][3]
Wildlife
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Wildlife can be considered a main attraction for Kanaka Creek which has both an active Black Bear and Salmon population. Black Bears regularly occupy Kanaka Creek as it provides a connection to the Fraser River and mature forests which are both important to the well being of the local Black Bear population.[4] The spawning salmon that pass through Kanaka Creek are also a staple food source. Salmon spend time in the area throughout the year in the creek and in the Bell-Irving Hatchery. The Hatchery is located in the park and aims to educate the public about salmon conservation in the creek. Both the hatchery and waterways see Chum, Pink and Coho Salmon.[5][6] Large mammals found in the park include the Cougar, Bobcat, Coyote, Red Fox, and Deer. Both small aquatic and on-land mammals also reside here including the River Otter and Striped Skunk. The park has a wide variety of Shrews, Bats, Voles, and Squirrels. Amphibians and reptiles also can be located including Frogs, Toads, Salamanders, and Snakes. Birds are the most abundant species at Kanaka Creek with over 130 species that have been spotted.[6]
Species at Risk
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Under the Forest and Range Practices Act the Coastal Tailed Frog, Northern Red-legged Frog, and Pacific Water Shrew are considered 'species at risk' and are all found in the park[7]. Both the Coastal Tailed Frog and the Northern Red-legged Frog can be found in shaded small, slow streams. Their habitats are regularly disturbed by forest harvesting and road construction. The Pacific Water Shrew can be found in forests along slow-moving streams however the species is endangered and considered extremely rare. This shrew species is affected by any disturbances in its wetland habitat [7]. Under the Conservation Status Rank List of British Columbia the Northern Red-Legged Frog is on the Blue List (species of special concern), the Coastal Tailed Frog is on the Yellow List (least risk of being lost), and the Pacific Water Shrew is on the Red List (risk of being lost) [8][9].
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- ^ a b "Kanaka Watershed". KEEPS. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
- ^ Auld, S. Cartographer. Self-Guided Plant Identification Walk: Maple Ridge - Kanaka Creek Park & Cliff Falls Trails. Map. 2021. https://circuit.bcit.ca/islandora/object/repository%3A1969/datastream/PDF/view. Accessed 6 Oct. 2023.
- ^ "Gardening: Hit Kanaka Creek Trails as the Botanical Hiker." The News, Nov 06 2004, p. 31. ProQuest. Web. 8 Oct. 2023 .
- ^ Pocock, Alison (March 2022). "Forest Restoration in Kanaka Creek Regional Park". Ecorestoration: RNS Technical Series (1): 2, 6–9, 14 – via OJS/PKP.
- ^ Vancouver Trails. "Kanaka Creek Cliff Falls trail, Maple Ridge". Vancouver Trails. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
- ^ a b "Wildlife". KEEPS. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
- ^ a b Forest Practices Board. Motorcycles, Rare Frogs and Water Shrew Habitat at Kanaka Creek. Forest Practices Board, 2009. www.bcfpb.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/IRC147-Kanaka-Creek-For-Web.pdf. Accessed 26 Oct. 2023.
- ^ B.C. Conservation Data Centre. 2023. BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer. B.C. Minist. of Environ. Victoria, B.C. Available: https://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/eswp/ (accessed Oct 26, 2023).
- ^ Strategy, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change. "Red, Blue & Yellow Lists - Province of British Columbia". www2.gov.bc.ca. Retrieved 2023-10-26.