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BC Conservation Data Centre: Conservation Status Report

Picea glauca / Salix glauca - Betula glandulosa
white spruce / grey-leaved willow - scrub birch

 
Scientific Name: Picea glauca / Salix glauca - Betula glandulosa
English Name: white spruce / grey-leaved willow - scrub birch
   
Provincial Status Summary
Status: S4S5
Date Status Assigned: March 31, 2011
Date Last Reviewed: March 31, 2011
Reasons: This common and widespread ecological community may be somewhat threatened by prescribed burning for wildlife and possibly motorized back-country recreation. The projected impacts of climate change will likely affect ecological functions and species composition over time.
 
Range
Range Extent: F = 20,000-200,000 square km
Range Extent Estimate (km2): 41329
Biogeoclimatic Unit: SWBmk/01
Range Extent Comments: The range extent estimate of this ecological community is based on Version 9 of the Biogeclimatic Ecosystem Classification (BEC) map (B.C. Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations. 2014).
Area of Occupancy Comments: This ecological community is common and widespread, and occurs in large patches (Akie/Pesika TEM Expanded Legend, 2000; Besa/Prophet TEM, 1999; DeLong, 2004).
Spatial Pattern:
 
Occurrences
Number of Occurrences: U = Unknown
Number of Occurrences with Good Viability / Ecological Integrity: U = Unknown
 
Threats (to population, occurrences, or area affected)
Degree of Threat: BC = High - medium
Comments: Prescribed burning for wildlife and motorized wilderness recreation (snowmobiling, ATVs) are the main threats. Hunting, fishing, and hiking are common uses, but are not likely to have a strong impact on this ecosystem, with the possible exception of permanent guide-outfitting camps. Currently there are few roads or transmission lines. Mining, oil and gas development and forestry are limited, but are likely to have a greater impact in the future. The effects of climate change over time will likely include changes in the hydrological regime, warming of soils, and increasing breakdown of organic matter, resulting in changes to species composition.
 
Trend (in population, range, area occupied, and/or condition of occurrences)
Short-Term Trend: G = Relatively Stable (<=10% change)
Comments: Seral stages (young, tall shrub and pine stages) occur as a result of widespread prescribed wildlife burns and wildfires (Besa/Prophet TEM, 1999).
Long-Term Trend: FH = Decline of <30% to increase of 25%
Comments: Has been affected by prescribed burning in the past (Besa/Prophet TEM, 1999).
 
Other Factors
Intrinsic Vulnerability: AB=Highly to moderately vulnerable.
Comments: Recovery is slow because of the harsh climate and short growing season.
Environmental Specificity: D=Broad. Generalist or community with all key requirements common.
Comments: Occurs on a wide variety of slope positions and aspects. This is the most common ecosystem associated with southerly aspects (Besa/Prophet TEM, 1999).
Other Rank Considerations:
 
Information Gaps
Research Needs: The effects of climate change on hydrological regime and soil productivity are needed.
Inventory Needs:
 
Stewardship
Protection:
Management:
 
Version
Author: Yearsley, H.K.
Date: March 31, 2011
 
References
B.C. Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations. Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification (BEC) Map, WHSE_FOREST_VEGETATION.BEC_BIOGEOCLIMATIC_POLY [ESRI ArcSDE format]. Version 9. Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations, Forest Analysis and Inventory Branch, Victoria, B.C. Updated Regularly.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] of the Smith/Vents River Area. December 1998g. B. Fuller and C. Schmidt, Norecol, Dames & Moore, Vancouver, B.C., C.E. Thompson, ECO-concepts Ecological Services Kelowna, B.C., and E. Wolterson, Vancouver, B.C. 1:50 000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] with Wildlife Habitat Interpretations of the Besa-Prophet Area, Part 1: TEM Report. 1999i. Prepared for the B.C. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Oil and Gas Division, by R.A. Sims and Associates, Vancouver, B.C. 1:50 000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] with Wildlife Habitat Interpretations of the Dunedin Study Area. October 1998f. Prepared for Slocan Forest Products Limited, Fort Nelson, B.C., by K. Barton, L. Veach, G. Radcliffe, and P. Williams, Madrone Consultants Ltd., Duncan, B.C. 1:50 000 spatial data.
 

Please visit the website Conservation Status Ranks for information on how the CDC determines conservation status ranks. For global conservation status reports and ranks, please visit the NatureServe website http://www.natureserve.org/.

Suggested Citation:

B.C. Conservation Data Centre. 2011. Conservation Status Report: Picea glauca / Salix glauca - Betula glandulosa. B.C. Minist. of Environment. Available: https://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/eswp/ (accessed Jun 15, 2026).