Introduction to the Notion of Region at a Variety of
Scales and a Consideration of Applications
Different Regional Scales
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Biome- a large-scale geoclimatic region measured
by climate, and the resulting flora and fauna. In the
case of the Pacific Northwest, this might best be
measured by the extent of the temperate rainforest
or by the inland range of the various species of
Pacific salmon.
Bioregion- a region defined by culture, history,
and/or geographical/ biophysical characteristics –
example, watersheds (or portions thereof) draining
into the Georgia Basin/ Salish Sea bioregion
(traditional use area of the Coast Salish peoples)
or, alternatively, Vancouver Island, with or without
the adjacent portion of the Sunshine Coast.
Different Regional Scales
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Urban Domain- a region defined by the cultural,
social, economic and/or administrative reach of the
adjacent city – as with the Lower Fraser Basin, in
the case of Vancouver, or the Pacific-Arrowsmith
region, as in the case of Nanaimo.
Watershed- a region defined by its hydrological
characteristics at a variety of scales – e.g. Cat
Creek, Chase River watershed, Nanaimo River
watershed, etc. A watershed is a very useful
regional frame for environmental planning purposes
since water is such a strong integrating feature. Fish
need healthy watersheds, humans need clean
drinking water, and animals use riparian corridors
for migration.
Two Visions of Our Biome
Source: Ecotrust: http://www.salmonnation.com/place/lands_waters.html
Source: http://contexts.org/thickculture/files/2009/09/CascadiaMap.
Two Visions of Our Bioregion
Source: USEPA: http://www.epa.gov/region10/psgb/
Source: http://www.viha.ca/mho/stats_and_maps/Canadian+Community+Health+Survey.htm
Two Visions of Our 'Urban Domain'
Source: David Roach and Mark Holland
Source: Regional District of Nanaimo
Two Visions of Local Watersheds
Source: http://www.nanaimo-visitor-boycott.com/unhealthy.htm
Source: http://www.bccf.com/steelhead/focus7.htm
The Biome – Relevant Principles
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According to a document (Vision 2030) by the Pacific
Coast Collaborative (made up of the governments of
BC, Washington, Oregon, and California), this biome
possesses “a distinct sense of place and outlook.” They
go on to say that [i]Informed by our environment, the
region is a model for healthy and sustainable
communities, harmonizing urban, working, and wild
landscapes to create an unequalled quality of life and
unique 'west coast' outlook.” Are we there yet?
Because of the relative homogeneity of climate – and
resulting temperate rainforest – one can consider the
kinds of economic activities that are potentially
sustainable within this region: forestry, fishing, some
farming and aquaculture, tourism and recreation, and
the kind of innovative “knowledge economy” work that
attracts people who are drawn to make their home in
this kind of environment.
The Biome – Relevant Principles
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The salmon are the ultimate 'indicator species' within this region
as so many other species depend on them; even the health of the
forests depend on them to some extent. If they are healthy, the
rest of the ecosystems are likely healthy. That they are in decline
reflects poor land use practices throughout the biome, as well as
the stresses/ turbulence associated with climate change.
Our Biome
The Bioregion – Relevant Principles
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The bioregion is determined by a combination of
natural and cultural features – for instance, the Lower
Fraser Basin, the insular nature of Vancouver Island,
the Georgia Straight/ Salish Sea bioregion (watersheds
flowing into the Straight of Georgia, traditional territory
of the Coast Salish peoples).
It is an appropriate region within which to promote
greater self-sufficiency in food, energy, building
materials, and other areas in the face of peak oil and
climate change. For instance, Vancouver Island used
to produce 70-80% of its own food; that has since
dropped to 5-10%.
It is also an appropriate realm for developing economic
strategies and an appropriate sense of regional identity
based on natural and cultural heritage.
The 'Urban Domain' – Relevant Principles
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Learning from Benton MacKaye's The New Exploration
(1928), we can distinguish three distinct environments
within this domain: primeval (wilderness), rural, and
cosmopolitan (urban), and the need to protect the integrity
of each from the formless sprawl of what MacKaye called
the “metropolitan invasion.” He also suggested that the
best place to view the region was from the “ridgeline.”
Protection is assisted by identifying landmarks and
'sacred places' to help build a sense of identity and assist
in preservation of naturally and culturally significant areas
(e.g. Mt. Arrowsmith?);
The urban domain is also the relevant unit for considering
the ecological metabolism of the city – its need to import
food, water, energy, and raw materials, while expelling
liquid, gaseous, and solid wastes – and to foster more of
a circular urban ecology.
The Watershed – Relevant Principles
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It has been shown that if 8-10% of a watershed
becomes impermeable, then it can result in the
loss of 80% of all fish stocks.
If a watershed maintains healthy fish populations
– especially without the necessity of fish
hatcheries – then it is likely a healthy watershed.
If we plan all urban and rural land uses around
the health of watersheds, we would approach
closely to a sustainable land use regime. There
is much that we done to respect water even in
the midst of built-up areas, such as deploying
green roofs/ rainbarrels, permeable pavers,
swales and constructed wetlands for filtering runoff, and much more.
Relevance to Geography
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Geography is ultimately about spatial
phenomena and relationships at a variety of
scales. It is also about what unifies specific
areas of land, and what differentiates one area
from another.
The regions I have described have some
internal homogeneity based on a variety of
criteria, but shade into one another almost
imperceptibly.
They are like a series of Russian dolls, one
nested inside the other.
Which regional scale do you think is most
important?