Abstract

This report describes British Columbia standards for ecosystem mapping at scales of 1:5000 to 1:50 000. The information here has been developed for, and approved by, the Resources Inventory Committee (RIC), a provincial committee responsible for developing inventory standards for the province.

These mapping standards use a three-level classification hierarchy of ecological units, including ecoregion units and biogeoclimatic units at broader levels, and site units and vegetation developmental stages (combined as ecosystem units) at a more detailed scale. Ecoregion classification is hierarchical, with five levels of generalization; the lowest level, ecosection, is used here. Biogeoclimatic classification includes four levels, including zone, subzone, variant, and phase. Ecoregion and biogeoclimatic units are broad-level delineations derived from provincial maps. Within these broader units, site-level polygons describe ecosystem units composed of site series, site modifiers, and structural stages.

At the first stage of ecosystem mapping, ecosystem units are delineated on aerial photographs following a bioterrain approach. To draw and label polygons, the mapper considers vegetation, topographic, and terrain (surficial geology) features. Site, vegetation and terrain attributes are recorded in a polygon database, and final map completed. The polygons are digitized and compiled in a geographic information system, and stored in a provincial database.

Outlined here are the standards established for ecosystem unit characterization, symbology, sampling, mapping procedures, interpretations and legends. Core data attributes to be collected for all ecosystem mapping projects in British Columbia are also described, in addition to other attributes that are recommended in order to support interpretations for various land management activities.

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