The western side of Vancouver Island hosts a rainforest : Vancouver Island lies in the temperate rainforest biome. On the southern and eastern portions of the island this is characterized by Douglas fir western red cedar arbutus (or madrone) Garry oak salal Oregon grape and manzanita moreover Vancouver Island is the location where the Douglas fir was first recorded by Archibald Menzies Vancouver Island is also the location where some of the tallest Douglas fir were recorded. This southeastern portion of the island is the most heavily populated region of Vancouver Island and a or area for recreation. The northern western and most of the central portions of the island are home to the coniferous big trees associated with British Columbia's coast western hemlock estern red cedar pacific silver fir yellow cedar Douglas fir grand fir Sitka spruce and western white pine. It is also characterised by bigleaf maple red alder sword fern and red huckleberry. The fauna of Vancouver Island is similar to that found on the mainland coast with some notable exceptions and additions.