An ecological restoration plan for a weedy field at the University of British Columbia Okanagan
Bird, Sarah (author) Hart, Miranda (thesis advisor) British Columbia Institute of Technology School of Construction and the Environment (Degree granting institution) Simon Fraser University Faculty of Environment (Degree granting institution) Cohen-Fernandez, Anayansi (chair) Ashley, Ken (committee member) Joy, Ruth (committee member)
Dissertation/thesis
author
British Columbia Institute of Technology
2019-04-15
131 pages
Grassland ecosystems are rare, in decline, and support a multitude of at-risk species in British Columbia. At the University of British Columbia Okanagan in Kelowna BC, a 3.3 ha site at the entrance of the campus is outlined as Okanagan grassland in campus design plans but currently lacks native bunchgrass communities. The goal of this restoration plan is to return grassland plant communities to the site despite the pervasiveness of noxious weeds. I characterised site conditions through soil and vegetation surveys. Restoration recommendations include managing noxious weeds through mowing, hand-pulling and some herbicide application. The site will be replanted with bunchgrass vegetation, two pockets of ponderosa forest, and two types of shrub communities. A walking path, signage, and two xeriscape gardens will also be included to control human use of the landscape. Long-term monitoring will be incorporated into classroom curricula to tie monitoring to learning opportunities.
Grassland exotic plants Noxious weeds urban restoration restoration plan
Grassland ecology Grassland restoration Noxious weeds
electronic
British Columbia
Master of Science