Most people don’t think of rolling grasslands and open savannas when they think of BC, but in fact BC contains some of the most biologically diverse examples of these ecosystems anywhere in Canada.

Less than 1% of the province is grassland; a slightly larger area might be characterized as savanna. Most of these areas are in the interior of BC, and the regions around Kamloops, Penticton and Cranbrook are excellent places to see examples of these ecosystems. The Peace River and Chilcotin regions also have good examples of grassland and savanna ecosystems and the east coast of Vancouver Island and some of the adjacent Gulf Islands have their own grassland and savanna ecosystems described under the Garry Oak and Related Ecosystems tab.

BC’s southern interior grasslands are a northern extension of the much more extensive Great Basin grasslands of the western U.S.A., and they share many species and characteristics. They are dominated by perennial grasses such as blue bunch wheatgrass and shrubs such as big sage or rabbit brush. Not withstanding these commonalities, BC’s little pieces of the Great Basin differ in some important ways from areas to the south. The most obvious differences are in the presence of large lake ecosystems, the narrowness of the valleys, the steepness of the terrain and the resulting close proximity of other ecosystem types. This means that the wildlife that use or move through BC’s grasslands are particularly diverse. BC’s Grasslands are one of the only places in the world where you can stand next to a river that supports giant white sturgeon whilst looking at the cactus near your feet and a grizzly in the sub-alpine far above.

In the Peace River region the grasslands and related ecosystems tend to occur on the south facing slopes above the region’s larger rivers. The species mix is quite different, with country slender wheatgrass being the most common grass and prairie sagewort the dominant shrub. The true grasslands of this region are not extensive, but they provide important habitats (particularly in winter) for a variety of species including elk, mule deer and two species of wild sheep. In the past, these and related ecosystems provided important habitat for wood bison, now a species at risk.

The aspen parkland of the Peace River region is a transition zone between the prairie and the boreal forest, and consists mostly of aspen and spruce interspersed with areas of grassland, often near streams and rivers. Much of BC’s aspen parkland has been modified for agriculture, but remnants remain and these sites continue to be important to wildlife. Like the grasslands, aspen parklands are important for members of the deer family, but also for songbirds and, where wetlands occur, waterfowl.

Although they only represent a small portion of the total provincial landmass, the province’s grasslands and related ecosystems support an amazing array of plant and animal species, including a very large number of species at risk. Although some these species, such as pallid bats, are much more widespread and abundant in the southern reaches of this great ecosystem some others, like California bighorn sheep (which is not considered a species a risk), are more abundant in British Columbia.

Grasslands in BC have been negatively impacted by livestock over-grazing; conversion to agriculture and residential uses; the introduction of invasive weeds and exotic grasses; and the suppression of natural fire regimes, which encourage forest in-growth.

Those interested in supporting grassland conservation can support ranching operations that use sustainable grazing practices; prevent conversion or development to other uses; support measures to control the spread of invasive weeds; and support the use of fire as a land management tool (where appropriate).

For more information on grasslands and savannas, we suggest you visit the following websites:

Grasslands and Savannas