Gulf Islands Ecosystems

The article (link below) states that research has shown a ratio of one deer per square kilometre is optimal. Thetis Island is 10.16km2, and I suspect there are more than 10 deer on the island.

One example in the article that resonated for me is the bit about the lilies. When I first started coming to Thetis Island in the mid 1990’s, there were large numbers of White Fawn Lilies on our property in the spring. Today we’re lucky to find a dozen. Also, at that time we would see an occasional deer but nothing like today where we see a group of 5 or 6 grazing nearly every day.

I can also say that when I drive along the top of Moore Hill, I can now clearly see the rock escarpment when 20 years ago it was more difficult to see through the understory. I now also see fewer bats, dragon flies and saplings. Are these connected?

The article raises some interesting concerns on other gulf islands, so I wonder if Thetis Island is being affected in the same way, and if others have noticed any reduction of biodiversity on the island.

https://vancouversun.com/opinion/columnists/deer-may-be-cute-but-their-growing-population-is-bad-news-for-b-c-forests-birds-heres-why

Cheers,
Peter de Hoog

PS. I’m not trying to start a committee to ban deer, but I may build a fence 😉