New protections for ecological communities

The ability to define ‘ecological communities’ in the Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA) allows for the classification and designation of specific ecological communities at risk, including their locations. This change will help reduce the incremental loss of important and rare habitat.

On this page:

• Why ecological communities are being defined
• The protection of ecological communities at risk
• Amendments to FRPA, Forest Planning and Practices Regulation (FPPR) and the Government Actions Regulation (GAR)
• Resources for Forest Practitioners

Why ecological communities are being defined

Due to limitations in the definition of “wildlife,” FRPA did not previously include the regulatory authority to establish general measures for ecological communities, list them as a recognized category, or to designate specific ecological communities at risk, including their habitat or locations.  This gap created a risk of loss of habitat, as well as uncertainty for tenure holders working to ensure that their development activities do not have impacts on biological diversity in B.C.

The protection of ecological communities at risk

Ecological communities are groups of plants, animals and other organisms that interact together in a particular unique habitat. The term ‘ecological community’ is now defined as “a group of different species occupying a particular area.”

By explicitly defining ‘ecological communities’ in FRPA, they can now be protected using existing regulatory tools. The Government Actions Regulation (GAR) now includes authorities to manage ecological communities in a fashion similar to the management of categories of species at risk, regionally important wildlife or specified ungulate species:  

• The minister may, by order, establish one or more categories identifying ecological communities at risk, if satisfied that the ecological communities are endangered, threatened, or of special concern
• The minister may, by order, establish one or more categories identifying ecological communities as regionally important
• The minister may, by order, establish a general measure for a category of ecological communities to be applied to a specific area

Government Actions Regulation (GAR) provides a mechanism to manage and conserve ecological communities that require special management not otherwise provided.

The procedure for listing ecological communities and establishing general measures will follow existing processes established under the GAR.

Amendments to FRPA, Forest Planning and Practices Regulation (FPPR) and the Government Actions Regulation (GAR)

The following sections of FRPA, the Forest Planning and Practices Regulation (FPPR), and Government Actions Regulation (GAR) have been amended:

These changes are effective immediately.

Learn more about protection for ecological communities

Resources for Forest Practitioners

• FRPA Facts – Forest and Range Practice Requirements Updates (PDF, 186KB)