From: on behalf of Panel Registry Subject: FW: TNG registration of ...

• Whitebark Pine: Of the two tree indicator species of high value to wildlife and biodiversity,
Whitebark Pine will likely suffer similar extensive die‐offs due to diseases caused by global
warming as has been reported in many areas of the continental United States with
concomitant negative impacts on the grizzly bear and the pine crow (Nucifraga Columbiana)
that seasonally depend on pine nuts. However, wildfire could be a balancing factor in
restoring/maintaining ecosystem health of this fire‐suppressed habitat.
• Trembling Aspen: Barring unforeseen factors, this species will most likely continue to thrive
in XGCA, even with a predicted increase in drought and wildfires. If this holds true, it would
continue to provide vital nesting and feeding habitat to a great variety of bird species. Moose
would also benefit from an increased winter food supply. Large wildfires may temporarily
decrease the amount of older trees as cavity‐nesting habitat for a host of birds, but may
increase the forest health over time of this fast‐growing hardwood.
Assessment of future impact on wildlife indicators
• Moose: This is an important food for the Xeni Gwet’in. Due to lack of sweat glands moose may
suffer during hotter periods of summer droughts when there are few ponds available to use
for cooling off. Moose is primarily a browser of shrubs and may suffer some habitat loss as
grasslands increase. Yet, it will also benefit from regeneration of vital shrub foods at higher
elevations from an increase in wildfires. Rain on snow in the winter may create crusting
conditions, reducing some winter survival.
• Mule deer: This is another important year‐round food for the Xeni Gwet’in. The mule deer is a
very resilient species, which has adapted to many different biogeoclimatic zones in BC and
North America, including near‐desert and grassland‐shrubland conditions. The project team
does not expect it to suffer from global warming in XGCA over the next 50 years. More rainfall
during winters may lead to crusting and icing, that combined with deep snow, may cause
some localized declines of resident deer that over‐winter in XGCA instead of migrating to
easier conditions.
• California Bighorn Sheep: The XGCA is well known for its bighorns and here this famous
desert “thinhorn” subspecies reaches the northern limits of its distribution in North America,
perhaps making it more vulnerable to climate changes. Total population estimates in XGCA
vary between 130–450 sheep. It is uncertain at this point as to how much sheep are still used
as a traditional meat source by the Xeni. The males are mainly hunted for trophies, even
though this bighorn is blue‐listed provincially. Some of the herds have suffered declines,
including disappearing from over‐hunting on Potato Mountain on the west side of Chilko
Lake. There have been several successful re‐introductions in XGCA. This species would appear
to have some vulnerability to global warming, especially as the herds in the XGCA appear to
be of the ecotype that winters and summers in the mountains on high‐elevation, windswept,
alpine ridges rather than at a variety of habitats at different elevations. Possible threats from
global warming include increased icing‐over in winter of alpine meadows used for foraging
and tree encroachment. Several controlled burns of high elevation habitats have already been
done to improve winter ranges and this offers some hope to help this species adapt and
survive global warming.
• Mountain goat: The XGCA has a population of about 400 goats and there have been several
small re‐introductions. They have some food value for the Xeni but are also managed for some
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