Omineca Mountains, central BC, Canada Photograph by Alain Plouffe/Used with permission of the Geological Survey of Canada, Natural Resources Canada   Western North America: Western Canada Temperate Coniferous Forests   about 27,700 square miles (71,700 square kilometers) -- about the size of West Virginia and Delaware combined Vulnerable

· Mountains to Wetlands
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
More Photos

Mountains to Wetlands

The Central British Columbia Mountain Forests ecoregion encompasses a variety of habitats, from wetlands to rugged mountain peaks. The central section of the Rocky Mountains runs down the center of this ecoregion, rising above the prairie to the east. Amidst forests of cedar and hemlock, you find animals such as woodland caribou, elk, wolverines, martens, snowshoe hares, and ruffed grouse.

Special Features

The Central British Columbia Mountain Forests ecoregion includes most of the Hart Ranges of the Rocky Mountains and the Omineca Mountains. While the valleys typically have warm, dry summers and mild, snowy winters, the mountains are characterized by cold, snowy winters and cool, wet summers that are prone to early frosts. One of the rare habitats of this ecoregion is the large wetland area that occurs in the valleys on the windward side of the Hart Ranges.

	Beavers can gnaw on wood underwater without getting water in their mouths (or nose and ears). Special skin flaps keep water from entering their mouths while gnawing, and valves keep water out of their nose and ears.

Wild Side

In the Skeena Mountains, forests of western red cedar and western hemlock are home to black bears and wolverines. The eastern part of the region contains forests of lodgepole pine, aspen, and spruce. Moose wade in lakes to nibble on water lilies, while beavers scurry nearby in search of sticks to build their homes in the water. High in the mountains, beautiful alpine tundra communities of heather, heath sedge, and mountain avens color the landscape. Along the rugged cliffs below, bighorn sheep and mountain goats nimbly climb the steep slopes in search of tender plants. And in the skies above, the sounds of migrating geese fill the air.

Cause for Concern

Logging is the most serious threat to the Central British Columbia Mountain Forests. It is now moving into all of the major valleys and, along with increased road access, the rate of habitat loss is increasing significantly in some places. Although three-fourths of the ecoregion remains as intact habitat, all of the commercially viable forests are slated to be logged within the next 50 years. This would result in the loss of the remaining forest. Another threat to wildlife is Williston Lake, a huge reservoir that is blocking movement of wildlife across the Rocky Mountains. Mineral exploration and mines are also responsible for some habitat loss and degradation.

For more information on this ecoregion, go to the World Wildlife Fund Scientific Report.