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Wildlife Habitat in the Township of Langley |
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Wildlife
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The
Township
of
Langley provides habitat for
264 species of birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles including many species which are endangered. |
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With 75% of
Langley
lying within the Agricultural Land Reserve and designated as a regional Green Zone,
Langley
is fortunate to have large tracts of green space that provide a range of habitat types. Langley Environmental Partners (LEPS) has identified 11 different habitat classes and performed habitat mapping for the
Township
of
Langley
. The table below identifies each habitat type, indicating the number of animal species which could use that type of habitat to live, breed ,or feed, but may not necessarily occupy that habitat at the current time. The information is based on 2004 orthophoto data.
Click on the habitat type to see a PDF map of its distribution. |
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Habitat Type |
Description |
% of Langley |
Potential Number of Wildlife |
Species
Type |
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Herbs/ grasses and row crops |
Areas with less than 20% tree cover. May include areas of agricultural crops and farmland. Has greater than 20% grass cover. |
37 |
166 |
15 WB
15 WF
13 RA
76 PA
34 MM
5 RE
8 AM |
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Coniferous forest |
Tree covered areas that are at least 80% coniferous. May include Christmas tree farms and nurseries. |
2 |
138 |
2 WB
3 WF
11 RA
69 PA
41 MM
3 RE
9 AM |
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Deciduous forest |
Tree covered areas where at least 65% are deciduous. May include tree nurseries and orchards. |
23 |
135 |
1 WB
2 WF
12 RA
66 PA
41 MM
3 RE
10 AM |
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Mixed forest |
Tree areas where no more than 80% of trees are coniferous or evergreen and more than 65% are deciduous. May include nurseries. |
6 |
139 |
2 WB
2 WF
12 RA
69 PA
41 MM
3 RE
10 AM |
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Shrubs |
Areas having multi stemmed woody perennial plants, both deciduous and coniferous comprising more than 20% of the ground cover. |
2 |
149 |
12 WB
7 WF
11 RA
70 PA
36 MM
5 RE
8 AM |
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Exposed soil |
Areas where disturbance has exposed a substrate as in development sites, soil slides, or agricultural fields. Not a permanent habitat. |
2 |
9 |
1 WB
0 WF
0 RA
3 PA
2 MM
3 RE
0 AM |
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Wetlands |
Includes natural wetlands which retain most of their natural characteristics. Typically areas well vegetated. |
2 |
122 |
19 WB
22 WF
12 RA
30 PA
28 MM
3 RE
8 AM |
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Dug out ponds and open water |
Natural and constructed points that are mostly void of vegetation. |
<1 |
79 |
17 WB
24 WF
3 RA
11 PA
13 MM
2 RE
9 AM |
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Low intensity urban |
Areas that have less than 10% impervious surfaces. Includes suburban housing and house tracks |
16 |
153 |
7 WB
4 WF
14 RA
75 PA
39 MM
5 RE
9 AM |
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Medium intensity urban |
Areas that have between 10% to 40% impervious surfaces. |
4 |
97 |
6 WB
0 WF
11 RA
51 PA
23 MM
4 RE
2 AM |
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High intensity urban |
Areas that have greater than 40% impervious surfaces. This may include industrial, commercial, and multi-family residential. |
4 |
37 |
3 WB
2 WF
3 RA
19 PA
9 MM
0 RE
1 AM | |
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Species Legend |
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(WB) Wading Birds
(WF) Waterfowl
(RA) Raptors
(PA) Passerine Birds
(MM) Mammals
(RE) Reptiles
(AM) Amphibians
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birds that have long legs and eat aquatic organisms (such as herons)
birds with webbed feet including ducks and geese
birds of prey including hawks, owls, and eagles
diverse group of perching birds including songbirds and woodpeckers
warm blooded animals that provide milk to their offspring (such as rabbits and squirrels)
cold blooded, air breathing, egg laying animals (such as turtles and snakes)
cold blooded animals that spend some time on land but breed and develop in water (such as frogs and salamanders) |
* Wildlife species include birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles.
The above wildlife habitat summaries are for informational purposes only and are subject to change.
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Focal Species
To facilitate easier monitoring for wildlife population sizes and health, focal species have been identified which represent a range of habitat classes and may also act as indicators of other species presence. Focal species from each of the five least common habitats in the Township of Langley are listed below. |
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Mature Coniferous Forest (2%)
Pileated Woodpecker
Douglas' Squirrel
Wetlands (2%)
Marsh Wren
Wood Duck
Shrubs (2%)
Bushtit
Mature Mixed (6%) and Deciduous Forest (23%)
Cooper's Hawk
Young Coniferous, Deciduous (23%), and Mixed Forest (6%)
Downy Woodpecker | |
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Wildlife Habitat Strategy
The Township of Langley is developing a Wildlife Habitat Strategy. Part 1 of this strategy - the preparation of a background technical report - has been completed: Township of Langley. July 2005. Wildlife Habitat Status Report: Background Technical Information (2.19 MB PDF).
The second part of this strategy will involve the preparation of a Wildlife Habitat Viability Strategy which will identify policies, programs, and opportunities - with their corresponding financial implications - for wildlife habitat protection and conservation within Langley.
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Links
For more information::
Langley Environmental Partners Wildlife Programs
http://www.leps.bc.ca/wildlife.html
Wildlife Observations Mapping Tool
http://www.shim.bc.ca/atlases/wildlife/wildlife_entry.htm
South Coast Conservation Program
http://www.sccp.ca/
GVRD Biodiversity Conservation Strategy
http://www.gvrd.bc.ca/growth/biodiversity.htm
Georgia Basin Action Plan: Habitat and Species
http://www.pyr.ec.gc.ca/georgiabasin/keyActivities/habitatSpecies_e.asp
Invasive Plant Council of B.C.
http://www.invasiveplantcouncilbc.ca/index.htm
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Last Updated on Friday, 24 October 2008 06:52 |
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