British Columbia Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.Anti-spam check. Do not fill this in! ==Geography== {{Main|Geography of British Columbia}} [[File:BC-relief.png|thumb|British Columbia's [[geography]] is epitomized by the variety and intensity of its physical relief, which has defined patterns of [[Human settlement|settlement]] and industry since colonization.]] British Columbia is bordered to the west by the [[Pacific Ocean]] and the American state of [[Alaska]], to the north by [[Yukon]] and the [[Northwest Territories]], to the east by the province of [[Alberta]], and to the south by the American states of [[Washington (state)|Washington]], [[Idaho]], and [[Montana]]. The [[Canada–United States border|southern border of British Columbia]] was established by the 1846 Oregon Treaty, although its history is tied with lands as far south as [[California]]. British Columbia's land area is {{convert|944735|km2|-2}}. [[British Columbia Coast|British Columbia's rugged coastline]] stretches for more than {{convert|27000|km}}, and includes deep, mountainous fjords and about 6,000 islands, most of which are uninhabited. It is the only province in Canada that borders the Pacific Ocean. British Columbia's capital is [[Victoria, British Columbia|Victoria]], located at the southeastern tip of [[Vancouver Island]]. Only a narrow strip of Vancouver Island, from [[Campbell River, British Columbia|Campbell River]] to Victoria, is significantly populated. Much of the western part of Vancouver Island and the rest of the coast is covered by [[temperate rainforest]]. The province's most populous city is Vancouver, which is at the confluence of the [[Fraser River]] and [[Georgia Strait]], in the mainland's southwest corner (an area often called the [[Lower Mainland]]). By land area, [[Abbotsford, British Columbia|Abbotsford]] is the largest city. [[Vanderhoof, British Columbia|Vanderhoof]] is near the geographic centre of the province.<ref>{{cite web |title=Vanderhoof |url=http://www.hellobc.com/en-CA/RegionsCities/Vanderhoof.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110709215521/http://www.hellobc.com/en-CA/RegionsCities/Vanderhoof.htm |archive-date=July 9, 2011 |access-date=April 26, 2007 |publisher=[[Tourism BC]]}}</ref> [[File:Bcmap.png|alt=Outline map of British Columbia with significant cities and towns.|left|thumb|Outline map of British Columbia with significant cities and towns]] The [[Coast Mountains]] and the [[Inside Passage]]'s many [[fjord|inlets]] provide some of British Columbia's renowned and spectacular scenery, which forms the backdrop and context for a growing outdoor adventure and [[ecotourism]] industry. 75 percent of the province is mountainous (more than {{cvt|1000|m|disp=sqbr}} [[above mean sea level|above sea level]]); 60 percent is forested; and only about 5 percent is arable. The province's mainland away from the coastal regions is somewhat moderated by the Pacific Ocean. Terrain ranges from dry inland forests and [[Semi-arid climate|semi-arid]] valleys, to the range and canyon districts of the [[British Columbia Interior|Central and Southern Interior]], to boreal forest and subarctic prairie in the Northern Interior. High mountain regions both north and south have [[Subalpine zone|subalpine flora]]<ref name="Subalpine">{{cite web |url=https://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/pubs/docs/Bro/bro55.pdf |title=The Ecology of the Engelmann Spruce – Subalpine Fir Zone |publisher=B.C. Ministry of Forests |access-date=January 17, 2019 |archive-date=November 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114033349/https://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/pubs/docs/Bro/bro55.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[subalpine climate]]. The [[Okanagan Valley (wine region)|Okanagan wine area]], extending from [[Vernon, British Columbia|Vernon]] to [[Osoyoos]] at the United States border, is one of several wine and [[cider]]-producing regions in Canada. Other wine regions in British Columbia include the [[Cowichan Valley]] on Vancouver Island and the [[Fraser Valley]]. The Southern Interior cities of [[Kamloops]] and [[Penticton]] have some of the warmest and longest summer climates in Canada (while higher elevations are cold and snowy), although their temperatures are often exceeded north of the [[Fraser Canyon]], close to the confluence of the Fraser and [[Thompson River|Thompson]] rivers, where the terrain is rugged and covered with desert-type flora. Semi-desert grassland is found in large areas of the [[Interior Plateau]], with land uses ranging from ranching at lower altitudes to forestry at higher ones. The northern, mostly mountainous, two-thirds of the province is largely unpopulated and undeveloped, except for the area east of the [[Canadian Rockies|Rockies]], where the [[Peace River Country]] contains BC's portion of the [[Canadian Prairies]], centred at the city of [[Dawson Creek, British Columbia|Dawson Creek]]. British Columbia is considered part of the [[Pacific Northwest]] and the [[Cascadia (bioregion)|Cascadia bioregion]], along with the [[U.S. state|American states]] of Alaska, Idaho, (western) Montana, [[Oregon]], Washington, and [[Northern California|(northern) California]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.celebratebig.com/pacific-northwest/index.htm |title=Pacific Northwest Washington Oregon British Columbia |publisher=Celebratebig.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111222031254/http://www.celebratebig.com/pacific-northwest/index.htm |archive-date=December 22, 2011 |access-date=January 24, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cooltrails.com/ |title=Northwest Hiking Trails: Washington, Oregon, Idaho |publisher=Cooltrails.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119222550/http://www.cooltrails.com/ |archive-date=January 19, 2012 |access-date=January 24, 2012}}</ref> ===Climate=== [[File:British Columbia Köppen.svg|thumb|[[Köppen climate classification|Köppen climate types]] in British Columbia]] [[File:Strait of Georgia.jpg|thumb|The [[Strait of Georgia]], near [[Vancouver]]]] Because of the many mountain ranges and rugged coastline, British Columbia's climate varies dramatically across the province. Coastal southern British Columbia has a mild and rainy climate influenced by the [[North Pacific Current]]. Most of the region is classified as [[Oceanic climate|oceanic]], though pockets of [[Warm-summer Mediterranean|warm-summer Mediterranean climate]] also exist in the far-southern parts of the coast. Precipitation averages above {{cvt|1000|mm|in}} in almost all of the coastal region, and [[Hucuktlis Lake]] on [[Vancouver Island]] receives an average of {{cvt|6,903|mm|in}} of rain annually. Due to the blocking presence of successive mountain ranges, the climate of some of the interior valleys of the province (such as the Thompson, parts of the Fraser Canyon, the southern Cariboo and parts of the Okanagan) is [[semi-arid climate|semi-arid]] with certain locations receiving less than {{convert|250|mm|0}} in annual precipitation. The annual mean temperature in the most populated areas of the province is up to {{convert|12|C}}, the mildest anywhere in Canada. The valleys of the Southern Interior have short winters with only brief bouts of cold or infrequent heavy snow, while those in the [[Cariboo]], in the [[British Columbia Interior#Central Interior|Central Interior]], are colder because of increased altitude and latitude, but without the intensity or duration experienced at similar latitudes elsewhere in Canada. Outside of the driest valleys, the Southern and Central Interior generally have a [[humid continental climate]] with widely variable precipitation. For example, the average daily low in [[Prince George, British Columbia|Prince George]] (roughly in the middle of the province) in January is {{convert|-12|C}}.<ref>{{cite web |date=October 31, 2011 |title=Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010 Station Data |url=http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1981_2010_e.html?stnID=631&lang=e&StationName=Prince+George&SearchType=Contains&stnNameSubmit=go&dCode=1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208115244/http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1981_2010_e.html?stnID=631&lang=e&StationName=Prince+George&SearchType=Contains&stnNameSubmit=go&dCode=1 |archive-date=December 8, 2015 |access-date=October 19, 2015 |publisher=[[Environment and Climate Change Canada]]}}</ref> Small towns in the southern interior with high elevation such as [[Princeton, British Columbia|Princeton]] are typically colder and snowier than cities in the valleys.<ref name="Princeton">{{cite web |url=http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1981_2010_e.html?searchType=stnName&txtStationName=princeton&searchMethod=contains&txtCentralLatMin=0&txtCentralLatSec=0&txtCentralLongMin=0&txtCentralLongSec=0&stnID=1056&dispBack=1 |title=Princeton A |date=September 25, 2013 |website=Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010 |publisher=[[Environment Canada]] |access-date=January 15, 2018 |archive-date=January 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190116200713/http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1981_2010_e.html?searchType=stnName&txtStationName=princeton&searchMethod=contains&txtCentralLatMin=0&txtCentralLatSec=0&txtCentralLongMin=0&txtCentralLongSec=0&stnID=1056&dispBack=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> Heavy snowfall occurs in all elevated mountainous terrain providing bases for skiers in both south and central British Columbia. Annual snowfall on highway mountain passes in the southern interior rivals some of the snowiest cities in Canada,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1981_2010_e.html?searchType=stnName&txtStationName=pass&searchMethod=contains&txtCentralLatMin=0&txtCentralLatSec=0&txtCentralLongMin=0&txtCentralLongSec=0&stnID=1363&dispBack=1 |title=GLACIER NP ROGERS PASS |date=September 25, 2013 |website=Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010 Station Data |publisher=Environment Canada |access-date=January 16, 2019 |archive-date=January 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190116150115/http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1981_2010_e.html?searchType=stnName&txtStationName=pass&searchMethod=contains&txtCentralLatMin=0&txtCentralLatSec=0&txtCentralLongMin=0&txtCentralLongSec=0&stnID=1363&dispBack=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> and freezing rain and fog are sometimes present on such roads as well.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McElroy |first=Justin |date=February 9, 2017 |title=Weather closes every highway linking Lower Mainland to rest of B.C. |work=[[CBC News]] |agency=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]] |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/weather-closes-every-highway-linking-lower-mainland-to-rest-of-b-c-1.3975497 |url-status=live |access-date=January 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190116061141/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/weather-closes-every-highway-linking-lower-mainland-to-rest-of-b-c-1.3975497 |archive-date=January 16, 2019}}</ref> This can result in hazardous driving conditions, as people are usually travelling between warmer areas such as Vancouver or [[Kamloops, British Columbia|Kamloops]], and may be unaware that the conditions may be slippery and cold.<ref name="Coq">{{cite web |url=https://www.tranbc.ca/2016/12/22/what-you-need-to-know-about-winter-weather-on-the-coq/ |title=What You Need to Know About Winter Weather on the "Coq" |publisher=TranBC |access-date=January 16, 2019 |archive-date=October 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017152459/http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=3044ae3a-ed05-465b-8305-78290b1b07cb |url-status=live }}</ref> [[File:Shuswap Lake from Sorrento, B.C..jpg|thumb|Shuswap Lake as seen from Sorrento]] Winters are generally severe in the Northern Interior which is generally in the [[subarctic climate]] zone, but even there, milder air can penetrate far inland. The coldest temperature in British Columbia was recorded in [[Smith River, British Columbia|Smith River]], where it dropped to {{convert|-58.9|C}} on January 31, 1947,<ref name="KCH-WD2-2002">{{cite web |url=http://www.islandnet.com/~see/weather/almanac/arc2002/alm02feb.htm |title=North America's Record Cold |last=Heidorn |first=Keith C. |year=2002 |publisher=The Weather Doctor Almanac |access-date=July 14, 2012 |archive-date=July 21, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120721011243/http://www.islandnet.com/~see/weather/almanac/arc2002/alm02feb.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> one of the coldest readings recorded anywhere in North America. [[Atlin, British Columbia|Atlin]] in the province's far northwest, along with the adjoining Southern Lakes region of [[Yukon]], get midwinter thaws caused by the [[Chinook (wind)|Chinook]] effect, which is also common (and much warmer) in more southerly parts of the Interior. During winter on the coast, [[rainfall]], sometimes relentless heavy rain, dominates because of consistent barrages of cyclonic low-pressure systems from the North Pacific. Average snowfall on the coast during a normal winter is between {{convert|25|and|50|cm|0}}, but on occasion (and not every winter) heavy snowfalls with more than {{convert|20|cm|0}} and well below freezing temperatures arrive when modified arctic air reaches coastal areas, typically for short periods, and can take temperatures below {{convert|-10|C}}, even at sea level. Arctic outflow winds can occasionally result in wind chill temperatures at or even below {{convert|-17.8|C}}.{{Citation needed|date=June 2019}} While winters are very wet, coastal areas are generally milder and dry during summer under the influence of stable anti-cyclonic high pressure. Southern Interior valleys are hot in summer; for example, in [[Osoyoos]], the July maximum temperature averages {{convert|31.7|C}}, making it the hottest month of any location in Canada; this hot weather sometimes spreads towards the coast or to the far north of the province. Temperatures often exceed {{convert|40|C}} in the lower elevations of valleys in the Interior during mid-summer, with the record high of {{convert|49.6|C}} being held in [[Lytton, British Columbia|Lytton]] on June 29, 2021, during [[2021 Western North America heat wave|a record-breaking heat wave that year]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Uguen-Csenge |first1=Eva |last2=Lindsay |first2=Bethany |date=June 29, 2021 |title=For 3rd straight day, B.C. village smashes record for highest Canadian temperature at 49.6 C |work=[[CBC News]] |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-alberta-heat-wave-heat-dome-temperature-records-1.6084203 |url-status=live |access-date=June 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210801154046/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-alberta-heat-wave-heat-dome-temperature-records-1.6084203 |archive-date=August 1, 2021}}</ref> [[File:Vineyards Lake Okanagan.jpg|thumb|The [[Okanagan]] region has a climate suitable for vineyards.]] The extended summer dryness often creates conditions that spark forest fires, from dry-lightning or man-made causes. Many areas of the province are often covered by a blanket of heavy cloud and low fog during the winter months, in contrast to abundant summer sunshine. Annual sunshine hours vary from 2200 near Cranbrook and Victoria to less than 1300 in [[Prince Rupert, British Columbia|Prince Rupert]], on the [[British Columbia Coast#North Coast|North Coast]] just south of [[Southeast Alaska]]. The exception to British Columbia's wet and cloudy winters is during the [[El Niño]] phase. During El Niño events, the jet stream is much farther south across North America, making the province's winters milder and drier than normal. Winters are much wetter and cooler during the opposite phase, [[La Niña]]. {| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:60%; font-size:95%;" |+ Average daily maximum and minimum temperatures for selected cities in British Columbia<ref name="Canadian Climate Normals or Averages 1981–2010">{{cite web |date=October 31, 2011 |title=Canadian Climate Normals or Averages 1981–2010 |url=http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/index_e.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227145147/http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/index_e.html |archive-date=February 27, 2014 |access-date=December 19, 2014 |publisher=[[Environment Canada]]}}</ref> |- ! rowspan=2 | Municipality ! colspan=2 | January ! colspan=2 | April ! colspan=2 | July ! colspan=2 | October |- ! data-sort-type=number | Max ! data-sort-type=number | Min ! data-sort-type=number | Max ! data-sort-type=number | Min ! data-sort-type=number | Max ! data-sort-type=number | Min ! data-sort-type=number | Max ! data-sort-type=number | Min |- | [[Prince Rupert, British Columbia|Prince Rupert]] | {{convert|5.6|C|1}} | {{convert|-0.8|C|1}} | {{convert|10.2|C|1}} | {{convert|2.5|C|1}} | {{convert|16.2|C|1}} | {{convert|10.5|C|1}} | {{convert|11.1|C|1}} | {{convert|4.9|C|1}} |- | [[Tofino]] | {{convert|8.3|C|1}} | {{convert|2.3|C|1}} | {{convert|11.9|C|1}} | {{convert|4.0|C|1}} | {{convert|18.9|C|1}} | {{convert|10.5|C|1}} | {{convert|13.6|C|1}} | {{convert|6.3|C|1}} |- | [[Nanaimo]] | {{convert|6.9|C|1}} | {{convert|0.1|C|1}} | {{convert|14.1|C|1}} | {{convert|3.9|C|1}} | {{convert|23.9|C|1}} | {{convert|12.3|C|1}} | {{convert|14.6|C|1}} | {{convert|5.2|C|1}} |- | [[Victoria, British Columbia|Victoria]] | {{convert|7.6|C|1}} | {{convert|1.5|C|1}} | {{convert|13.6|C|1}} | {{convert|4.3|C|1}} | {{convert|22.4|C|1}} | {{convert|11.3|C|1}} | {{convert|14.2|C|1}} | {{convert|5.7|C|1}} |- | [[Vancouver]] | {{convert|6.9|C|1}} | {{convert|1.4|C|1}} | {{convert|13.2|C|1}} | {{convert|5.6|C|1}} | {{convert|22.2|C|1}} | {{convert|13.7|C|1}} | {{convert|13.5|C|1}} | {{convert|7.0|C|1}} |- | [[Chilliwack]] | {{convert|6.1|C|1}} | {{convert|0.4|C|1}} | {{convert|15.8|C|1}} | {{convert|5.2|C|1}} | {{convert|25.0|C|1}} | {{convert|12.5|C|1}} | {{convert|15.3|C|1}} | {{convert|6.4|C|1}} |- | [[Penticton]] | {{convert|1.8|C|1}} | {{convert|-3.0|C|1}} | {{convert|15.7|C|1}} | {{convert|2.5|C|1}} | {{convert|28.7|C|1}} | {{convert|13.3|C|1}} | {{convert|14.3|C|1}} | {{convert|3.2|C|1}} |- | [[Kamloops]] | {{convert|0.4|C|1}} | {{convert|-5.9|C|1}} | {{convert|16.6|C|1}} | {{convert|3.2|C|1}} | {{convert|28.9|C|1}} | {{convert|14.2|C|1}} | {{convert|13.7|C|1}} | {{convert|3.3|C|1}} |- | [[Osoyoos]] | {{convert|2.0|C|1}} | {{convert|-3.8|C|1}} | {{convert|18.1|C|1}} | {{convert|3.6|C|1}} | {{convert|31.5|C|1}} | {{convert|14.3|C|1}} | {{convert|16.4|C|1}} | {{convert|3.5|C|1}} |- | [[Princeton, British Columbia|Princeton]] | {{convert|-1.4|C|1}} | {{convert|-8.6|C|1}} | {{convert|14.4|C|1}} | {{convert|-0.3|C|1}} | {{convert|26.3|C|1}} | {{convert|9.5|C|1}} | {{convert|13.2|C|1}} | {{convert|0.3|C|1}} |- | [[Cranbrook, British Columbia|Cranbrook]] | {{convert|-1.9|C|1}} | {{convert|-10.2|C|1}} | {{convert|12.9|C|1}} | {{convert|0.3|C|1}} | {{convert|26.2|C|1}} | {{convert|11.2|C|1}} | {{convert|11.7|C|1}} | {{convert|-0.3|C|1}} |- | [[Prince George, British Columbia|Prince George]] | {{convert|-4.0|C|1}} | {{convert|-11.7|C|1}} | {{convert|11.2|C|1}} | {{convert|-1.1|C|1}} | {{convert|22.4|C|1}} | {{convert|9.1|C|1}} | {{convert|9.4|C|1}} | {{convert|-0.5|C|1}} |- | [[Fort Nelson, British Columbia|Fort Nelson]] | {{convert|-16.1|C|1}} | {{convert|-24.6|C|1}} | {{convert|9.6|C|1}} | {{convert|-3.6|C|1}} | {{convert|23.2|C|1}} | {{convert|10.9|C|1}} | {{convert|5.2|C|1}} | {{convert|-4.2|C|1}} |} ===Parks and protected areas=== {{Main|List of protected areas of British Columbia|List of British Columbia Provincial Parks}} [[File:Snow covered mountains in Mount Robson (Unsplash).jpg|thumb|[[Mount Robson]], [[Canadian Rockies]]]] [[File:Lake O'Hara Yoho National Park.jpg|thumb|[[Odaray Mountain]] and [[Lake O'Hara]]]] There are 14 designations of parks and protected areas in the province that reflect the different administration and creation of these areas in a modern context. There are 141 ecological reserves, 35 provincial marine parks, 7 provincial heritage sites, 6 [[National Historic Sites of Canada]], 4 [[national park]]s and 3 national park reserves. 12.5 percent of the province's area ({{convert|114000|km2|abbr=on|disp=or}}) is considered protected under one of the 14 different designations that includes over 800 distinct areas. British Columbia contains seven of [[National Parks of Canada|Canada's national parks]] and National Park Reserves: * [[Glacier National Park (Canada)|Glacier National Park]] * [[Gulf Islands National Park Reserve]] * [[Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site]] * [[Kootenay National Park]] * [[Mount Revelstoke National Park]] * [[Pacific Rim National Park Reserve]] * [[Yoho National Park]] British Columbia contains a large number of [[provincial park]]s, run by BC Parks under the aegis of the Ministry of Environment. British Columbia's provincial parks system is the second largest parks system in Canada, the largest being Canada's National Parks system. Another tier of parks in British Columbia are [[regional park]]s, which are maintained and run by [[List of regional districts of British Columbia|the province's regional districts]]. The Ministry of Forests operates forest recreation sites. In addition to these areas, over {{convert|47000|km2}} of [[arable land]] are protected by the [[Agricultural Land Reserve]]. ===Fauna=== [[File:Awesome Takakkaw Falls IMG 4771.JPG|thumb|[[Yoho National Park]]]] Much of the province is undeveloped, so populations of many mammalian species that have become rare in much of the United States still flourish in British Columbia.<ref>{{cite web |first= |title=Plants, Animals & Ecosystems – Province of British Columbia |url=https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/plants-animals-ecosystems |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220212033407/https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/plants-animals-ecosystems |archive-date=February 12, 2022 |access-date=February 12, 2022 |publisher=Ministry of Environment and Climate Change}}</ref> Watching animals of various sorts, including a very wide range of birds, has long been popular. Bears ([[Grizzly bear|grizzly]], [[American black bear|black]]—including the [[Kermode bear]] or spirit bear) live here, as do [[deer]], [[elk]], [[moose]], [[Reindeer|caribou]], [[Bighorn sheep|big-horn sheep]], [[mountain goat]]s, [[marmot]]s, [[beaver]]s, [[muskrat]]s, [[coyote]]s, [[Wolf|wolves]], [[mustelidae|mustelids]] (such as [[wolverine]]s, [[badger]]s and [[fisher (animal)|fishers]]), [[cougar]]s, [[eagle]]s, [[osprey]]s, [[heron]]s, [[Canada goose|Canada geese]], [[swan]]s, [[loon]]s, [[hawk]]s, [[owl]]s, [[raven]]s, [[harlequin duck]]s, and many other sorts of ducks. Smaller birds ([[American robin|robins]], [[jay]]s, [[grosbeak]]s, [[Tit (bird)|chickadees]], and so on) also abound.<ref>{{cite web |date=July 30, 2015 |title=Wildlife of British Columbia: 13 Species To Look Out For This Summer |url=https://summitlodge.com/blog/wildlife-of-british-columbia-11-species-to-look-out-for-this-summer/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220212033407/https://summitlodge.com/blog/wildlife-of-british-columbia-11-species-to-look-out-for-this-summer/ |archive-date=February 12, 2022 |access-date=February 12, 2022 |website=Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel Whistler |language=en-US}}</ref> Murrelets are known from Frederick Island, a small island off the coast of [[Haida Gwaii]].<ref>{{Cite AV media |title=[[The Life of Birds]] |last=Attenborough |first=David |publisher=[[BBC]] |year=1998 |author-link=David Attenborough |isbn=0563-38792-0}}</ref> Many healthy populations of fish are present, including [[salmonidae|salmonids]] such as several species of [[salmon]], [[trout]], [[Rainbow trout|steelhead]], and [[Salvelinus|char]]. Besides salmon and trout, sport-fishers in BC also catch [[halibut]], [[bass (fish)|bass]], and [[sturgeon]]. On the coast, [[harbour seal]]s and [[North American river otter|river otters]] are common.<ref>{{cite web |date=November 28, 2016 |title=Sealife |url=https://oceanwatch.ca/bccoast/species-habitats/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220212033427/https://oceanwatch.ca/bccoast/species-habitats/ |archive-date=February 12, 2022 |access-date=February 12, 2022 |publisher=Oceanwatch BC Coast |language=en-CA}}</ref> [[Cetacea]]n species native to the coast include the [[orca]], [[humpback whale]], [[grey whale]], [[harbour porpoise]], [[Dall's porpoise]], [[Pacific white-sided dolphin]] and [[minke whale]]. [[File:Along the High note trail atop Whistler Mtn. (7958950226).jpg|thumb|[[Cheakamus Lake]] in [[Garibaldi Provincial Park]]]] [[File:Dorsal fin of a Humpback whale 03.jpg|thumb|[[Humpback whale]] in [[Sooke]] coast]] Some endangered species in British Columbia are: [[Vancouver Island marmot]], [[spotted owl]], [[American white pelican]], and badgers. {| class="wikitable" style="text-align: right" |+ Endangered species in British Columbia<ref>BC Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management, Conservation Data Centre</ref> ! scope="col" | Type of organism ! scope="col" | Red-listed species in BC ! scope="col" | Total number of species in BC |- | style="text-align: left" | Freshwater fish | 24 | 80 |- | style="text-align: left" | Amphibians | 5 | 19 |- | style="text-align: left" | Reptiles | 6 | 16 |- | style="text-align: left" | Birds | 34 | 465 |- | style="text-align: left" | Terrestrial mammals | {{small|(Requires new data)}} | {{small|(Requires new data)}} |- | style="text-align: left" | Marine mammals | 3 | 29 |- | style="text-align: left" | Plants | 257 | 2333 |- | style="text-align: left" | Butterflies | 19 | 187 |- | style="text-align: left" | Dragonflies | 9 | 87 |} ===Forests=== White spruce or [[Picea engelmannii|Engelmann spruce]] and their hybrids occur in 12 of the 14 [[biogeoclimatic zones of British Columbia]].<ref name="coates">{{Cite report |url=https://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/pubs/Docs/Frr/FRR220.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180221035600/https://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/pubs/Docs/Frr/FRR220.pdf |archive-date=February 21, 2018 |url-status=live |title=Ecology and Silviculture of Interior Spruce in British Columbia |last1=Coates |first1=K. Dave |last2=Haeussler |first2=Sybille |date=January 1994 |publisher=Canada/British Columbia Partnership Agreement Forest Resource Development: FRDA II |issue=220 |issn=0835-0752 |last3=Lindeburgh |first3=Scott |last4=Pojar |first4=Rosamund |last5=Stock |first5=Arthur J. |access-date=October 30, 2022}}</ref> Common types of trees present in BC's forests include [[Thuja plicata|western redcedar]], [[Callitropsis nootkatensis|yellow-cedar]], [[Juniperus scopulorum|Rocky Mountain juniper]], [[Pinus contorta|lodgepole pine]], [[Pinus ponderosa|ponderosa or yellow pine]], [[Pinus albicaulis|whitebark pine]], [[Pinus flexilis|limber pine]], [[western white pine]], [[Larix occidentalis|western larch]], [[Larix laricina|tamarack]], [[Larix lyallii|alpine larch]], [[Picea glauca|white spruce]], [[Picea engelmannii|Engelmann spruce]], [[Picea sitchensis|Sitka spruce]], [[Picea mariana|black spruce]], [[Abies grandis|grand fir]], [[Abies amabilis|Amabilis fir]], [[Abies lasiocarpa|subalpine fir]], [[Tsuga heterophylla|western hemlock]], [[Tsuga mertensiana|mountain hemlock]], [[Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii|Douglas-fir]], [[Taxus brevifolia|western yew]], [[Cornus nuttallii|Pacific dogwood]], [[Acer macrophyllum|bigleaf maple]], [[Acer glabrum|Douglas maple]], [[Acer circinatum|vine maple]], [[Arbutus menziesii|arbutus]], [[Crataegus douglasii|black hawthorn]], [[Rhamnus purshiana|cascara]], [[Quercus garryana|Garry oak]], [[Malus fusca|Pacific crab apple]], [[Prunus virginiana|choke cherry]], [[Prunus pensylvanica|pin cherry]], [[Prunus emarginata|bitter cherry]], [[Alnus rubra|red alder]], [[Alnus tenuifolia|mountain alder]], [[Betula papyrifera|paper birch]], [[Betula occidentalis|water birch]], [[Populus trichocarpa|black cottonwood]], [[Populus balsamifera|balsam poplar]], [[Populus tremuloides|trembling aspen]]. ===Traditional plant foods=== {{Main|Wild and medicinal plants of British Columbia}} [[First Nations in British Columbia|First Nations peoples of British Columbia]] used plants for food, and to produce material goods like fuel and building products. Plant foods included berries, and roots like [[Camassia|camas]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.biodiversitybc.org/assets/Default/BBC%20Importance%20of%20Biodiversity%20to%20First%20Peoples.pdf |title=Importance of biodiversity for First Peoples of British Columbia |last=Turner |first=Nancy |date=September 2007 |publisher=Biodiversity BC |access-date=September 21, 2014 |archive-date=November 15, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131115022110/http://www.biodiversitybc.org/assets/Default/BBC%20Importance%20of%20Biodiversity%20to%20First%20Peoples.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> ===Ecozones=== [[Environment Canada]] subdivides British Columbia into six [[Ecozones of Canada|ecozones]]: * [[Pacific Marine Ecozone (CEC)|Pacific Marine]] * [[Pacific Maritime Ecozone (CEC)|Pacific Maritime]] * [[Boreal Cordillera]] * [[Montane Cordillera]] * [[Taiga Plains Ecozone (CEC)|Taiga Plains]] * [[Boreal Plains Ecozone (CEC)|Boreal Plains Ecozones]]. 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