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Cariboo-Chilcotin and Central Interior Grasslands: At a Glance

Caribou-Chilcotin and Central Interior: East

Caribou_East.jpg

Caribou-Chilcotin and Central Interior: West
Caribou_West.jpg 

For a more in depth look at the information provided below, click here.

Grassland Region

Area, ha

Ecoprovince

Ecosections

Area, ha

Cariboo-Chilcotin and Central Interior

233,335

Central Interior

Central Chilcotin Ranges

Western Chilcotin Ranges

Chilcotin Plateau

Fraser River Basin

Cariboo Basin

Bulkley Basin

 8,440 

      6,765

    39,100

125,275

43,860

5,030

 Junction Sheep Range_fraser_chilcotin_bc parks.jpg
Junction Sheep Range Provincal Park BC Parks
Grasslands Landscape 

  • On the rolling plateau between the Coast Mountains and Cariboo Mountains
  • Most extensive grasslands area in BC along Fraser and Chilcotin river valleys
  • 75% of the grasslands within 20 kilometres of Fraser and Chilcotin rivers and tributaries

Special Features

  • Plants reach northern and southern limits of distribution, with some unique associations
  • Hottest and driest grasslands are along the Fraser and Chilcotin Rivers
  • Grasslands merge with dry Douglas-fir forest, aspen groves and wetlands on plateaus
  • Sub-alpine, alpine and boreal species replace bunchgrasses at higher elevations
  • Many wetland ecosystems throughout the grasslands add variety

Current State

  • 120 years of livestock grazing has altered the composition of grassland species
  • Wetland meadows mowed for hay as they dry in summer
  • Gradual improvement since the 1970s with changes in range management techniques
  • Loss of grassland to forest encroachment and ingrowth
  • Some critical areas protected in parks and other conservation areas.

 Species At Risk in Cariboo-Chilcotin and Central Interior 

Red- and Blue-listed grassland elements in the Cariboo-Chilcotin and Central Interior:

Element

Red List*

Blue List**

Vascular Plants

Plant Communities

Insects

Reptiles and Amphibians

Birds

Mammals

Total Elements

27

16

0

0

10

2

55

39

4

0

6

21

6

76

*Red list: List of ecological communities, and indigenous species and subspecies that are extirpated, endangered or threatened in British Columbia.

**Blue list: List of ecological communities, and indigenous species and subspecies of special concern (formerly vulnerable) in British Columbia.

For more information on species at risk in BC, visit our SAR page. 

For a more in depth look at the Cariboo-Chilcotin and Central Interior grasslands, click here.
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