By Alix Hodson

Will there be enough water today? That’s the question many residents ask themselves as they turn on their taps during the dry season. They worry how climate change, ever-increasing development, and degradation of recharge areas will affect their groundwater supply. Now, more than ever, we are seeing the adverse effects of a growth economy and outdated, unsustainable forest management practices.

The importance of maintaining forest cover is clearly explained by Herb Hammond in his recent webinar titled: Forests for Water or Timber: A Clearcut Problem. Mr. Hammond, an award-winning forester, provides us with an in-depth look at the vital connection between groundwater and trees, and explains how trees are the water conservation heroes of most ecosystems.

The process begins with droplets of water. Rain falls on the canopy where needles and leaves intercept and store water. The more leaves and needles, the more interception and water storage there will be.
This means big trees with large canopies are essential for capturing water.

All parts of the forest play a role. Even the decayed wood is a water storage and filtration system. Old wood and other decaying forest vegetation provide a fertile foundation for new trees and future forests. Intact riparian ecosystems collect all the energy that comes down the slopes and slowly release it into water courses.

Healthy watersheds require the composition, structure and function of an intact primary forest. Loss of water interception, storage and filtration results in rapid runoff and increased evaporation. Roads interrupt the downward movement of water and change dispersed flow to concentrated flow, while increased surface runoff increases erosion and creates perfect conditions for landslides and flooding.

Unhealthy watersheds are created through industrial forestry management practices such as clear cutting and spraying herbicides on the forest floor. Water quality is further degraded when sewage run-off containing cleaners, pharmaceuticals and other toxic chemicals mixes with the water courses.

Degraded watersheds threaten plants and animals and generally reduce healthy biodiversity. As holistic foresters like Herb Hammond know, a watershed can be as small as a dimple in the Earth’s surface. But, when the dimples are joined, the whole Earth can be considered one giant watershed.
Ecosystems are not planned. They are a living fabric woven together with flowing water and water drops.

Nature knows what it is doing and there are no geometric formulas, no hierarchies and no boundaries - an ecosystem is life. Hammond encourages a complete systemic change in forestry practices. He leaves us with this sobering thought: If humans continue to make decisions based on short-term expedience, future generations will face tremendous difficulties.

Hydrology studies on Gabriola have long shown that our water levels have been steadily decreasing. In some areas of aquifer 709, where demand outstrips supply, groundwater levels are in steep decline.

This tiny fragile ecosystem, this outcrop of rock we call home, is dependent on groundwater supplies to sustain its unique natural flora and fauna. All the trees on our water-stressed island are considered critical to the health of our natural environment; they create the conditions needed to support life.

To take a more active role in preserving the ecological integrity and natural beauty of the Gulf Islands or for more information go to Friends of the Gulf Islands website.

EDITORS NOTE: Friends of the Gulf Islands are new members of VIWWC. Alix has hit the mark with this article she has sent to the newspapers.