Important Areas for Vertebrates in West Coast Vancouver Island

West Coast Vancouver Island ecoregion data details Important Areas for key vertebrate species, excluding fish and cetaceans, to inform marine Ecologically and Biologically Significant Area (EBSA) selection. The dataset, produced by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, is based on expert assessment using criteria of Uniqueness, Aggregation, and Fitness Consequences. Data collection for this region was conducted in 2009.

Use Cases

• Map Important Areas based on the Uniqueness criterion to identify regions with distinctive ecological characteristics.
• Analyze the spatial distribution of Important Areas designated for the Aggregation criterion to support marine conservation planning.
• Assess areas ranked high for Fitness Consequences to understand habitats critical for species survival and reproduction.
• Compare Important Areas across different ecoregions like the Strait of Georgia to evaluate regional conservation priorities.

Strengths

• Data is derived from a formal science advisory process by Fisheries and Oceans Canada for identifying Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas.
• Assessment criteria (Uniqueness, Aggregation, Fitness Consequences) are clearly defined and applied by experts.
• The dataset is part of a broader series covering multiple taxonomic groups, allowing for integrated ecosystem analysis.

Limitations

• The dataset excludes fish and cetaceans, limiting comprehensive vertebrate habitat analysis without supplementary data.
• Assessment methods and scientific advisors differed between the 2009 WCVI effort and prior regional studies, potentially affecting consistency.
• Data is considered complete but may become outdated if significant new ecological information emerges.

Provenance

Source

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Collection Method

Expert assessment based on spatial data collection and ranking against criteria (Uniqueness, Aggregation, Fitness Consequences).

Time Range

Assessment conducted in 2009; initial data for related regions collected 2004-2005.

Freshness

Data collection is considered complete; last platform update was 2026-03-24.

Geography

West Coast Vancouver Island (WCVI) ecoregion, Canadian Pacific marine waters.