Assignment 4: Resource Geography of British Columbia–Biotic Resources

About Assignment 4

This assignment is marked out of 100 and is worth 5 per cent of your final mark in the course. It covers the following topics:

• Biogeoclimatic factors used to distinguish the Coastal and Interior Forests; changes in technologies in the industry and provincial management of the forest resource; the current role of the forest industry in the province; and major directions in which forest management is moving.
• The physical controls on agriculture: physiography, climate, vegetation, and soils; the system of Agricultural Land Reserves; agricultural regions of the province and their specializations; and major developments in the industry.
• The range of species, cycles, races, and habits of Pacific salmon and other marine resources; technological changes in the harvesting and preservation of salmon and other fish; market factors affecting food resources.
• Agencies and programs responsible for management of salmon and the politics of regulation; and the challenges facing the commercial fishing industry and conservation of marine resources.
• Components and spatial distribution of tourism and travel activities; the role of tourism as a resource industry; tourism regions of British Columbia; the administrative framework; and trends in tourism, recreation, and

Part 1: The Forest Industry in British Columbia

(20 marks)

1. For each of the following terms, provide a short definition or description, including diagrams, sketches, or maps if appropriate:
   1. Forest fires, insects, and diseases (5 marks)
   2. Pulp industry (5 marks)
   3. Annual Allowable Cut (5 marks)
   4. Briefly explain why the BC Ministry of Forests, Lands and (5 marks)
2. Natural Resource Operations developed the biogeoclimatic classification system. For this question, you may wish to refer to the course poster, Biogeoclimatic Zones of British Columbia.

The following websites will help you define concepts or answer questions in this part of the assignment:

BC Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations

Accessing these websites is not required to complete this part of the assignment successfully.

Part 2: Agriculture in British Columbia

(20 marks)

1. Briefly describe how agricultural practices in British Columbia (15 marks) have changed over the last 150 years. In your answer, consider how technological innovations and changes in management practices have influenced regional specializations within the province.

2. Describe the linkages and interdependence between the main (5 marks) components of the agricultural production system of British Columbia.

The following useful websites will help you define concepts or answer questions in this part of the assignment:

BC Ministry of Agriculture Agricultural Institute of Canada Canada Land Inventory

Accessing these websites is not required to complete this part of the assignment successfully.

Part 3: Marine and Freshwater Resources of British Columbia

(20 marks)

1. What are the five species of Pacific salmon? Briefly describe (5 marks) their life cycles and range of habitats.
2. Briefly explain why the salmon fishing industry in British (10 marks) Columbia is so complex, conflict-ridden, and contentious.
3. Describe the causes of the 1913 Hell’s Gate slide and discuss its (5 marks) impact on salmon populations. Also outline efforts to rebuild the Pacific stocks following this disaster.

The following useful websites will help you define concepts or answer questions in this part of the assignment:

Aquaculture in British Columbia

Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Region Living Oceans Society

Accessing these websites is not required to complete this part of the assignment successfully.

Part 4: Tourism, Recreation, and Conservation in British Columbia

(15 marks)

1. What are some of the factors that have contributed to the (10 marks) growth of the tourism industry and recreation in British Columbia since the 1980s?

2. Briefly define the role and administrative structure of the (5 marks) Islands Trust.

The following useful websites will help you define concepts or answer questions in this part of the assignment:

BC Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour Living Oceans Society

Parks Canada BC Parks

Accessing these websites is not required to complete this part of the assignment successfully.

Part 5: Review of Unit 4

(25 marks)

Prepare an essay on ONE of the following topics. Your essay should be no longer than 500 words (one to two pages). Illustrate your essay with relevant examples, diagrams, tables, and references to the course texts and other resources.

Complete ONE of the questions below:

1. Explain how changes in the tenure system on Crown Land have influenced the forest industry in British Columbia.
2. Describe the basis of the Canada Land Inventory soils classification system, and indicate how it has been applied in British Columbia.
3. Outline the current objectives of fisheries management and identify some of the key policies protecting marine resources in British Columbia.
4. Identify the dominant tourism markets in British Columbia and discuss the strategies for exploiting them.

How to Submit Your Assignment

Remember to make a copy of your work before sending the completed assignment to your Open Learning Faculty Member for marking.

Follow the instructions in “How to Submit an Assignment Using Assignment Tool” posted within the “Assignments Overview” area.

Final Project Reminder

Allocate some time as you work through Unit 4 to the collection, analysis, and evaluation of material for the Final Project. Incorporate the knowledge gained from the text readings, additional resources, topic overviews, self-assessed practice exercises, and the unit assignment into the design of your research essay.

Submit your research design outlining the study area and scope of the essay along with Assignment 4.

Remember, this outline, based on discussions with your Open Learning Faculty Member, is worth 15 per cent of the project mark.

The Final Project is worth 25 per cent of your final mark.

This is the end of Assignment 4.

 

Word Count: 1500-1600

No. of Pages: 8