The University of
British Columbia's Okanagan campus contains some very important natural spaces
and areas that should be given more attention and thought. One of these natural
spaces, the campus's Pine forest is one of the largest native spaces at the
University. The forest is quite pristine and clean and should be kept that way,
but it poses a lot of issues due to human involvement. There are many native
Okanagan species that depend on this space for their living. Also, many of
these species rely upon a delicate balance of population, which due to human
interaction, has started to become compromised. In order to keep this forest
alive and healthy, it is important that people understand its role in the
surrounding Okanagan and UBC-O's environment.
I chose this site because it displays a very heavy human
influence and the effects of what will happen if people don't understand its
role in nature. Forests are the lungs of Earth, and just like in the human
body, they are necessary to sustain life. Forests give off their own atmosphere
and have the power to culturally change a populated area. They also provide
shelter and an environment to plenty of different species. In the specific
environment of UBC-O, they provide a sort of structural backbone to the
campus's back country. Over the years, due to new development of the
University's campus and surrounding housing development, the forest has become
more of various patches than a vast expanse. Also, due to fire management, the
forest has grown to become denser than meant to be. The main species of the
forest, the Ponderosa Pine tree, has rapidly grown in numbers because of fire
suppression. The forest has become more tightly packed, limiting the sunlight
coming through the canopies and adding to pine needle debris. This report will
bring forth a better understanding of the forest and its species and attached
culture. It will help with an understanding of this area in its past, present
and what may and could happen in the future.
(Google maps)
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