The Multiple Roles of the Morrell Nature Sanctuary: Conservation, Education, Recreation Three specific roles can be defined for the Morrell Nature Sanctuary relating to conservation, environmental education, and recreation. As a protected area, the need to conserve the sanctuary’s biological diversity and ecological integrity is of great importance.
Underground Connections in the Forest When walking through the forest with a broad tree canopy high overhead and a profuse under- story of shrubs, ferns, and herbs, one rarely considers the ecological interactions taking place beneath the forest floor. Of special interest are the underground connections created by natural root grafts, mychorrhizal networks, and symbiotic nitrogen fixation.
A Comparison of Plant Species Composition in the Morrell Nature Sanctuary: 1976, 2018 Plant communities typically change over time, with some species disappearing and new ones emerging in response to habitat alteration, ecological succession, and other factors. A comparison of plant species lists compiled in 1975-76 and again in 2018 can give us some insight into such changes at the Morrell Nature Sanctuary.
The Sanctuary’s Flourishing Ferns The Morrell Nature Sanctuary is home to a number of different fern species, including sword fern, licorice fern, deer fern, bracken fern, and lady fern. Ferns are among the oldest groups of plants on Earth, with fossil specimens dating back about 390 million years ago.
The Sanctuary’s Forest and Climate Change A significant concern about climate change is the potential for increased tree mortality due to drought and moisture stress. This report briefly summarizes the implications of climate change for two important tree species in the Morrell Nature Sanctuary; western redcedar and Douglas-fir.
Rare and Unusual Plants in the Sanctuary: Gnome- plant (Hemitones congestum) The so-called Gnome-plant is one of the rarest of the monotropoids--the group that includes Indian Pipe. It grows from a rhizome with fragile roots and probably obtains its nutrients by parasitizing fungi because it lacks chlorophyll.
Rare and Unusual Plants in the Sanctuary: Pinedrops Pinedrops is the tallest species of the mycotrophic wildflowers in the heath family (Ericaceae). It is a root parasite, depending on its association with a mycorrhizal fungus which, in turn, is associated with a conifer tree.
Rare and Unusual Plants in the Sanctuary: What are Mycotrophic Wildflowers Heterotrophic plants are divided into one of two groups, based upon how they obtain their food. The first of these two groups are parasitic plants. The second of these two groups are mycotrophic ("fungus feeding") plants. These plants obtain their organic carbon from a host green plant by tapping into an intermediary mycorrhizal fungus attached to the roots of the host plant.
Rare and Unusual Plants in the Sanctuary: Fairy Slipper (Calypso bulbosa) Calypso bulbosa, commonly called Fairy Slipper, takes its name from the Greek signifying concealment, as they tend to favor sheltered areas on conifer forest floors. Although the calypso orchid's distribution is wide, it is very susceptible to disturbance, and is therefore classified as threatened or endangered.‍
Morrell Nature Sanctuary Bat Survey With the aid of acoustic recorders, researchers from Environment Canada, UBC, and NALT identified five different bat species that made use of the Morrell Nature Sanctuary in July 2022: Big Brown Bat, Hoary Bat, Silver-haired Bat, California Myotis, and Little Brown Myotis.
Morrell Nature Sanctuary A Historical Review 1973 -2024 This document not only records the history of the Morrell Nature Sanctuary as it has evolved over time, but also typifies the challenges faced by nonprofit society boards of directors when managing a nature sanctuary. These challenges include raising funds, attracting and retaining volunteers, maintaining facilities and trails, providing environmental education, and interacting with other stakeholders such as city officials and landowners. The Morrell Sanctuary Society for Environmental Education has done a remarkable job preserving the Sanctuary grounds over the years through the cumulative efforts of dedicated volunteers. Their story is related in detail in this report.
The Importance of Wildlife Trees in Morrell Wildlife trees are standing dead or living trees that serve as important habitat for the conservation of wildlife. The most important wildlife trees are usually large, old, damaged, deformed, diseased or decaying trees or snags which can be readily excavated by various bird species for nests and roosts. At the Morrell sanctuary, Douglas-fir appears to be the most sought- after wildlife tree by the greatest number of wildlife species, followed by western red-cedar and shore pine. The most valuable hardwood species are black cottonwood, red alder, and bigleaf maple. Feb 2025
Unusual Mushrooms Bleeding Tooth Fungus (Hydnellum peckii) The unusual appearance of the young fruit bodies on this fungus has earned the species several descriptive common names, including strawberries and cream, the bleeding Hydnellum, the bleeding tooth fungus, the red- juice tooth, and the Devil's tooth.
Unusual Lichens Netted Specklebelly lichen (Lobaria anomala) Lobaria anomala, commonly known as Netted Specklebelly lichen, is indeed an unusual and interesting species. This lichen has a distinctive appearance with a net-like structure and often grows on trees, particularly on the branches of hardwoods like the Bigleaf Maple (Acer macrophyllum).
Nature Sanctuary Trail Map Downloadable PDF
Old Growth Forest Nature: The Biotic Water Pump This paper reviews the "Biotic Pump theory," which describes the vital role that old, natural forests play in maintaining the supply of inland water, and in moderating the climate. The biotic pump is the mechanism by which the forest can regulate its own moisture supply and thus influence the hydrological cycle. Landscape disturbances such as deforestation can exacerbate the negative impacts of climate change due to carbon emissions. The biotic pump theory is considered in relation to forests in BC.
Forest Understory Plants and Climate Change in the Morrell Nature Sanctuary Because forests naturally operate on long ecological timelines, mature trees shift their geographic ranges and adapt to changing climates significantly slower than understory vegetation. Thus, the forest understory is expected to be impacted sooner than the overstory. This report examines the geographic distribution of common understory shrubs and herbs in the sanctuary to determine if they may be predisposed to warmer conditions as the climate changes, and may therefore persist longer than predicted, by virtue of the extent of their southerly ranges. Most of these plants have very broad distributions stretching from Alaska south to California, suggesting they may have the potential to endure in the foreseeable future. However, rare species and those in wetland areas may be threatened. One promising management action is control of encroachment by invasive species.
Open Open
The Multiple Roles of the Morrell Nature Sanctuary: Conservation, Education, Recreation Three specific roles can be defined for the Morrell Nature Sanctuary relating to conservation, environmental education, and recreation. As a protected area, the need to conserve the sanctuary’s biological diversity and ecological integrity is of great importance.
Underground Connections in the Forest When walking through the forest with a broad tree canopy high overhead and a profuse under- story of shrubs, ferns, and herbs, one rarely considers the ecological interactions taking place beneath the forest floor. Of special interest are the underground connections created by natural root grafts, mychorrhizal networks, and symbiotic nitrogen fixation.
A Comparison of Plant Species Composition in the Morrell Nature Sanctuary: 1976, 2018 Plant communities typically change over time, with some species disappearing and new ones emerging in response to habitat alteration, ecological succession, and other factors. A comparison of plant species lists compiled in 1975-76 and again in 2018 can give us some insight into such changes at the Morrell Nature Sanctuary.
The Sanctuary’s Flourishing Ferns The Morrell Nature Sanctuary is home to a number of different fern species, including sword fern, licorice fern, deer fern, bracken fern, and lady fern. Ferns are among the oldest groups of plants on Earth, with fossil specimens dating back about 390 million years ago.
The Sanctuary’s Forest and Climate Change A significant concern about climate change is the potential for increased tree mortality due to drought and moisture stress. This report briefly summarizes the implications of climate change for two important tree species in the Morrell Nature Sanctuary; western redcedar and Douglas-fir.
Rare and Unusual Plants in the Sanctuary: Gnome- plant (Hemitones congestum) The so-called Gnome-plant is one of the rarest of the monotropoids--the group that includes Indian Pipe. It grows from a rhizome with fragile roots and probably obtains its nutrients by parasitizing fungi because it lacks chlorophyll.
Rare and Unusual Plants in the Sanctuary: Pinedrops Pinedrops is the tallest species of the mycotrophic wildflowers in the heath family (Ericaceae). It is a root parasite, depending on its association with a mycorrhizal fungus which, in turn, is associated with a conifer tree.
Rare and Unusual Plants in the Sanctuary: What are Mycotrophic Wildflowers Heterotrophic plants are divided into one of two groups, based upon how they obtain their food. The first of these two groups are parasitic plants. The second of these two groups are mycotrophic ("fungus feeding") plants. These plants obtain their organic carbon from a host green plant by tapping into an intermediary mycorrhizal fungus attached to the roots of the host plant.
Rare and Unusual Plants in the Sanctuary: Fairy Slipper (Calypso bulbosa) Calypso bulbosa, commonly called Fairy Slipper, takes its name from the Greek signifying concealment, as they tend to favor sheltered areas on conifer forest floors. Although the calypso orchid's distribution is wide, it is very susceptible to disturbance, and is therefore classified as threatened or endangered.‍
Morrell Nature Sanctuary Bat Survey With the aid of acoustic recorders, researchers from Environment Canada, UBC, and NALT identified five different bat species that made use of the Morrell Nature Sanctuary in July 2022: Big Brown Bat, Hoary Bat, Silver-haired Bat, California Myotis, and Little Brown Myotis.
Morrell Nature Sanctuary A Historical Review 1973 -2024 This document not only records the history of the Morrell Nature Sanctuary as it has evolved over time, but also typifies the challenges faced by nonprofit society boards of directors when managing a nature sanctuary. These challenges include raising funds, attracting and retaining volunteers, maintaining facilities and trails, providing environmental education, and interacting with other stakeholders such as city officials and landowners. The Morrell Sanctuary Society for Environmental Education has done a remarkable job preserving the Sanctuary grounds over the years through the cumulative efforts of dedicated volunteers. Their story is related in detail in this report.
The Importance of Wildlife Trees in Morrell Wildlife trees are standing dead or living trees that serve as important habitat for the conservation of wildlife. The most important wildlife trees are usually large, old, damaged, deformed, diseased or decaying trees or snags which can be readily excavated by various bird species for nests and roosts. At the Morrell sanctuary, Douglas-fir appears to be the most sought- after wildlife tree by the greatest number of wildlife species, followed by western red-cedar and shore pine. The most valuable hardwood species are black cottonwood, red alder, and bigleaf maple. Feb 2025
Unusual Mushrooms Bleeding Tooth Fungus (Hydnellum peckii) The unusual appearance of the young fruit bodies on this fungus has earned the species several descriptive common names, including strawberries and cream, the bleeding Hydnellum, the bleeding tooth fungus, the red- juice tooth, and the Devil's tooth.
Unusual Lichens Netted Specklebelly lichen (Lobaria anomala) Lobaria anomala, commonly known as Netted Specklebelly lichen, is indeed an unusual and interesting species. This lichen has a distinctive appearance with a net-like structure and often grows on trees, particularly on the branches of hardwoods like the Bigleaf Maple (Acer macrophyllum).
Nature Sanctuary Trail Map Downloadable PDF
Old Growth Forest Nature: The Biotic Water Pump This paper reviews the "Biotic Pump theory," which describes the vital role that old, natural forests play in maintaining the supply of inland water, and in moderating the climate. The biotic pump is the mechanism by which the forest can regulate its own moisture supply and thus influence the hydrological cycle. Landscape disturbances such as deforestation can exacerbate the negative impacts of climate change due to carbon emissions. The biotic pump theory is considered in relation to forests in BC.
Forest Understory Plants and Climate Change in the Morrell Nature Sanctuary Because forests naturally operate on long ecological timelines, mature trees shift their geographic ranges and adapt to changing climates significantly slower than understory vegetation. Thus, the forest understory is expected to be impacted sooner than the overstory. This report examines the geographic distribution of common understory shrubs and herbs in the sanctuary to determine if they may be predisposed to warmer conditions as the climate changes, and may therefore persist longer than predicted, by virtue of the extent of their southerly ranges. Most of these plants have very broad distributions stretching from Alaska south to California, suggesting they may have the potential to endure in the foreseeable future. However, rare species and those in wetland areas may be threatened. One promising management action is control of encroachment by invasive species.
Open Open