Change in historic fire disturbance in a Garry oak (Quercus garryana) meadow and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) mosaic, University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada: A possible link with First Nations and Europeans

We investigated late Holocene vegetation and fire changes on southeast Vancouver Island, British Columbia, through high-resolution analysis of pollen, spores and charcoal contained within a forest soil. Located in the Mystic Vale Endowment lands, University of Victoria campus, the site occurs adjacent to Garry oak (Quercus garryana) meadows within a Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) forest regionally influenced by First Nations burning. The age of the sequence is estimated from the occurrence of non-native plantain (Plantago spp.) pollen, between the early 19th century and the present. Prior to the 1850s, the Mystic Vale supported a Douglas-fir forest with a sword fern (Polystichum munitum) understory. Low-intensity fires may have burned either at or near the site, but did not destroy the stand. From the time of European settlement (ca. 1850s to 1872) to the early 20th century, Douglas-fir forests with a sword fern understory persisted but with more openings than in the past. Adjacent forests were cleared leading to successional stands of red alder (Alnus rubra). The site may have supported more grasses near or after 1872 because of adjacent cultivation and the introduction of livestock. Local establishment of Garry oaks at the margin of a field adjacent to the deposition site may have occurred at this time. The strong charcoal signal may be attributable to clearing and local fires of European settlers. Exotic weedy species such as plantain arrived during this time. From about the mid 20th century to the present a closed canopy Douglas-fir forest returned. Pre-European charcoal concentrations were significantly greater than modern-day charcoal concentrations. Peak charcoal concentrations coincided with the onset of European settlement in the area, a period in which land-clearing is thought to have been aided by the use of fire. This study suggests that the observed changes in charcoal concentrations in pre- and post-European contact time may be linked with a switch from aboriginal to European ignition sources. The study provides a historical impetus to consider partially restoring parts of southeast Vancouver Island by re-introducing fire via the application of controlled burns.