Late Ice Age Mammals on Vancouver Island

Explore the fascinating world of late Ice Age mammals on Vancouver Island and the San Juan Islands in this captivating lecture by Dr. Michael Wilson from Douglas College. Delve into the intriguing story of how giant mammals like bison, ground sloth, and short-faced bear colonized these islands as the last ice sheet retreated 14,000 years ago. Discover the challenges of finding megafauna fossils in the region's acidic soils and learn about the rare pond deposits where they survive. Investigate various theories explaining the megafauna's arrival and subsequent disappearance, including swimming, land bridge crossings, post-glacial warming, and potential human involvement. Examine the dramatic environmental changes that transformed the islands from pine parklands with grassy patches to closed canopy forests of Douglas fir and hemlock. Gain insights into the complex interplay between ancient animals, vegetation, and changing landscapes, including the role of carnivores in plant propagation. Consider the concept of metapopulations and the importance of connectivity for species survival. Uncover the unique "Island effect" on bison horn size and explore the taphonomic conditions that allow for the preservation of megafaunal bones in this compelling paleontological mystery.