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Appendix B: Data Sources

A variety of data sources exist which can provide valuable information for all stages of an ecological mapping project including:

1. information prior to beginning any ecological mapping project.
2. information used during map production.
3. information incorporated into the ecological database.

Data sources such as air photographs, TRIM base maps, and biogeoclimatic maps, provide baseline data necessary to undertake and complete any level of mapping. The specific data sources which are needed, as well as the level of information needed from each of them is determined by:

1. the project objectives,
2. how the map data is to be used, and
3. the level of detail desired.

The following provides a general overview of data sources available for producing ecological maps, and where they maybe located.

TEM Website

The Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping (TEM) website is currently under construction and will contain links to many of the data sources described in this Appendix. It will include updates to material related to TEM as well as a section for frequently asked questions. This site should be visited regularly in order to keep up to date with current TEM developments.

Ecomapper

'Ecomapper' is a mailing list meant to provide a forum for discussion on issues and ideas related to implementing the Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping (TEM) methodology in British Columbia and to answer questions from mappers. The list will forward all questions, comments, and replies to all subscribers.

All questions to the methodology committee will be answered, however some reasonable time period may be required to prepare a proper response. Feel free to use this list to discuss anything related to TEM.

To subscribe to this list, send an e-mail message to:

If you would like to unsubscribe from this list, just send an e-mail message to:

To send a message to the list (all other subscribers), send mail to

Training

Training to prepare and interpret terrestrial ecosystem mapping is available through the BC Forestry Continuing Studies Network. Currently there is a five-day TEM course, Introduction to Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping Techniques, which is geared towards training individuals in all steps of producing terrestrial ecosystem maps. It presents the classification and methodological concepts outlined in this manual. There is also a two-day TEM course, Deriving Interpretations from Ecosystem Maps, which is designed to show how ecosystem mapping can be used to develop interpretations for forestry, range, biodiversity, terrain, and wildlife management issues within the scope of the Forest Practices Code (FPC) requirements. It is intended for those individuals who administer, use, and interpret ecosystem mapping projects and products. Another five-day course, Describing Terrestrial Ecosystems in the Field, has been developed. It is designed to train individuals in the field identification and coding standards of all components found on the Ecosystem Field Forms (FS882), based on the 1998 standards.

A course on the Standards and Procedures for Wildlife Habitat Capability and Suitability Ratings will be piloted in the spring of 1998. It will be designed to train individuals in the standards and procedures for wildlife habitat capability and suitability ratings. This course will include use of the wildlife habitat assessment portion of the Ecosystem Field Form (FS882). Additional TEM related courses are also offered including Field Identification of Soil Properties and Classification, Understanding and Using Terrain Maps and An Introduction to Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification. Please contact Kandy Akselson of the BC Forestry Continuing Studies Network, at (250) 365-7292 ext. 377 for further information regarding any of the above courses.

Aerial Photography and Remote Sensing Data

Aerial photographs can be purchased from Geographic Data BC at a variety of scales. It is the scale which determines the amount of detail the image provides, therefore it is not recommended that the scale of the photo be smaller than the scale of the mapping project. The variety of display choices range from black and white, colour, vertical, oblique, to orthophotos. Colour photos are the recommended choice if available.

Baseline thematic mapping depicts land use, ground cover and topographic features at 1:400K and 1:250K scale, based on satellite imagery interpretations. This information is useful for a general overview of a given study area but is not recommended for ecosystem mapping at much larger scales.

Ministry of Environment, Lands, and Parks
Geographic Data BC Branch
Customer Support
3rd. Fl., 1802 Douglas St.,
Victoria, BC
Canada, V8V 1X4

Tel: (250) 387-1441
Fax: (250) 356-3022

Bedrock Geology

Bedrock geology maps describing the various geologic eras in which the bedrock types were formed can be obtained from the Geologic Survey of Canada, and the British Columbia Geological Survey Branch. A one to one million Geologic Atlas compiled by Souther et al. (1979), Roddick et al. (1979), Tipper et al. (1979), Hutchison et al. ( 1979), and Price et al. (1977) provides a detailed and consistent overview of the bedrock types of British Columbia. Other sources of geologic data are the Geologic Survey of Canada 1981, 1982, 1985, and 1987 indices of geology reports and maps for British Columbia.

Ministry of Employment and Investment
Geological Survey Branch
PO Box 9320, Stn Prov Gov't
5th floor, 1810 Blanshard Street
Victoria, BC V8W 9N3

Tel: (250) 952-0429
Fax: (250) 952-0381

Natural Resources Canada
Geologic Survey of Canada
101 - 605 Robson Street
Vancouver, BC

Tel: (604) 666-0529
Fax: (604) 666-1337 (Sales)

Biogeoclimatic Zonation and Site Series

Biogeoclimatic maps for the six forest regions are available from the regional Ministry of Forests offices at the following scales: 1:500 000 for Prince Rupert, 1:250 000 for Prince George, Cariboo, Nelson, and Vancouver, and 1:100 000 for Kamloops. Digital copies of these maps are available through the Ministry of Forests Research Branch. There is also a 1:2 000 000 Provincial Biogeoclimatic Map available from Ministry of Forests Publications, (250) 387-6719.

The publication Ecosystems of British Columbia (Meidinger and Pojar, 1991) provides an overview of the biogeoclimatic classification system and which biogeoclimatic zones, subzones, and variants have been described to date. The 1997 list of codes and names for the BEC zones, subzones and variants is available on the Ministry of Environment, Lands, and Parks ftp site (address below). A word document titled, BEC97.doc. As well, each of the six Forest Regions have produced field guides for the identification and interpretation of site level ecosystems. These field guides can be obtained from Crown Publications.

All of the site units (ecosystem units) have been given two-letter codes, unique to each subzone and variant; as well as brief descriptions of the typical situations in which each unit occurs. A table listing all of the ecosystem units, including two-letter codes, typical situations, typical moisture regimes, and site modifiers is available on the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks ftp site. The excel table is called map_code.xls. It will be updated to include any new codes in the spring and fall of each year. A notice will be sent out on ecomapper once the table has been updated.

Ministry of Environment, Lands, and Parks ftp site:
IP address: 142.36.8.37
UserId: anonymous
Password: guest
or URL ftp://wldux2.env.gov.bc.ca/pub/TEM

The ftp directory is pub/TEM and the file names are BEC97.doc (Word 6.0) and map_code.xls (Excel 4.0).
or TEM website: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/rib/wis/tem

Ministry of Forests
Research Branch
P.O. Box 9519, Stn Prov Gov't
Victoria, BC
Canada, V8W 9C2

Tel: (250) 387-6721
Fax: (250) 387-0046
Website: http://www.res.for.gov.bc.ca/

Crown Publications Inc.
521 Fort Street
Victoria, B.C V8W 1E7

Tel: (250) 386-4636
Fax: (250) 386-0221
E-mail: crown@pinc.com
Website: http://www.crownpub.bc.ca/

Ecoregions

The 1997 list of ecoregions and ecosections with appropriate codes can be found on the Ministry of Environment, Lands, and Parks ftp site. The word document is titled 97Ecoreg.doc.

Ecoregions have been mapped for the entire province at scales of 1:2 000 000 and 1:500 000. The 1:2 000 000 ecoregion map (available from the Ministry of Environment) exists as an overlay and can be used to accompany the 1:2 000 000 provincial biogeoclimatic map. The Prince Rupert (1:500 000) and Vancouver (1:250 000) biogeoclimatic maps include Ecoregion and Ecosection designations.

Ministry of Environment, Lands, and Parks ftp site:
IP address: 142.36.8.37
UserId: anonymous
Password: guest
or URL ftp://wldux2.env.gov.bc.ca/pub/TEM
The ftp directory is pub/TEM and the file name is 97Ecoreg.doc (Word 6.0).

Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks
Resources Inventory Branch
Wildlife Inventory Section
P.O. Box 9344, Stn Prov Gov't
Victoria, BC V8W 9M1

Website: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/rib/wis/tem

Soils

Most soil and soil/landform maps are produced at scales ranging from 1:20 000 to 1:50 000. These maps and reports are available from Geographic Data BC Information on soil surveys may also be obtained from Agriculture Canada. Some soils surveys have been digitized in either federal (CANSIS) or Provincial (CAPMAP) computerized soil information systems (Agriculture Canada 1990). These systems are no longer in use and conversion to modern GIS systems is underway in the BC Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Fisheries.

Another series of maps were produced by the Canada Land Inventory (CLI) program between 1965 and 1990, based on reconnaissance and detailed soil surveys. Mapping themes included soil capability for agriculture, land capability for forestry, land capability for ungulates (wildlife), land capability for waterfowl, and land capability for recreation. Scales of mapping range between 1:20 000 and 1:250 000. Most titles are out of print but some may be available through Geographic Data BC or the Canada Map Office.

Ministry of Environment, Lands, and Parks
Geographic Data BC Branch
Customer Support
3rd. Fl., 1802 Douglas St.,
Victoria, BC
Canada, V8V 1X4

Tel: (250) 387-1441
Fax: (250) 356-3022
Website: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/gdbc/

Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Fisheries
Resource Planning Branch
2nd Floor, 808 Douglas Street
Victoria, BC V8W 9B4

Tel: (250) 387-0242
Fax: (250) 356-0044
Website: http://www.al.gov.bc.ca/agric/resplan/bcsoils/soil.htm

- A catalogue showing available soil and soil/landform maps and reports.

Agriculture Canada
Land Resource Research Unit
6660 NW Marine Drive
Vancouver, BC V6T 1X2

Tel: (604) 224-4355
Fax: (604) 666-4994

- Most maps have been produced at 1:100 000 scale.

- CANSIS data maybe available.

Natural Resources Canada
The Canada Map Office
130 Bentley Rd.
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0E9

Tel: 800-465-6277
Fax: 613-957-8861
E-mail address: info@geocan.nrcan.gc.ca
Website: http://maps.NRCan.gc.ca/cmo/dealers.html

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. 1998. The Canadian System of Soil Classification. 3rd ed. Publ. 1646. Ottawa 187 pp.

Surficial Geology (Terrain, Surficial Material, Landform)

The terrain classification system presently being used in British Columbia is the "Terrain Classification System for British Columbia," Howes and Kenk, Version 2.0 (1997). This publication contains definitions, descriptions, and diagnostic characteristics to aid in the photo-interpretation of landforms. The Terrain Geology Task Group, of the Earth Sciences Task Force of RIC has developed the Guidelines and Standards to Terrain Geology Mapping in British Columbia (RIC, Jan. 1996) which uses the classifications in Howes and Kenk, Version 2.0 (1997) and should be used in conjunction with that document. Combined, these documents should be viewed as the primary source of provincial terrain standards. If surficial information has already been mapped for a project area, it appropriateness will need to be assessed in relation to the objectives and standards of the current project.

Surficial Geology maps are available from a wide variety of sources and are described in an equally disparate manner, a few of which are listed below. A discussion of the descriptions and sources can be found in RIC Jan. 1996.

Ministry of Employment and Investment
Geological Survey Branch
PO Box 9320, Stn Prov Gov't
Victoria, BC V8W 9N3

Tel: (250) 952-0429
Fax: (250) 952-0381
Website: http://www.ei.gov.bc.ca/geosmin/mapinv/surfical.htm

Natural Resources Canada
Geologic Survey of Canada
101 - 605 Robson Street
Vancouver, BC

Tel: (604) 666-0529
Fax: (604) 666-1337 (sales)

Crown Publications Inc.
521 Fort Street
Victoria, BC V8W 1E7

Tel: (250) 386-4636
Fax: (250) 386-0221
E-mail address: crown@pinc.com
Website: http://www.crownpub.bc.ca/

Topography

Topographic maps are available at a variety of scales (1:20 000, 1:50 000, 1:100 000, 1:250 000) for the province and are usually gridded using the NTS (National Topographical System) and the BCGS (British Columbia Geographic System). UTM and Latitude/ Longitude grids are usually included on these maps. For the purposes of Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping, BCGS maps are preferred.

TRIM (Terrain Resource Information Mapping ) maps and reports at 1:20 000 and Ministry of Environment maps at 1:250 000 can be ordered from Geographic Data BC. TRIM maps at 1:50 000 for selected areas are also available from the Ministry of Forests, Forest Practices Branch. Where available, TRIM maps should be used as the standard for topographic information.

Ministry of Environment, Lands, and Parks
Geographic Data BC Branch
Customer Support
3rd. Fl., 1802 Douglas St.,
Victoria, BC
Canada, V8V 1X4

Tel: (250) 387-1441
Fax: (250) 356-3022
Website: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/gdbc/

- 1:20000 TRIM maps available

Ministry of Forests
Forest Practices Branch
P.O. Box 9513, Stn. Prov. Gov't
Victoria, BC V8W 9C3

Tel: (250) 387-6656
Fax: (250) 387-6751

Crown Publications Inc.
521 Fort Street
Victoria, BC V8W 1E7

Tel: (250) 386-4636
Fax: (250) 386-0221
E-mail address: crown@pinc.com
Website: http://www.crownpub.bc.ca/

- 1:50 000 NTS maps available

Natural Resources Canada
The Canada Map Office
130 Bentley Rd.
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0E9

Tel: 800-465-6277
Fax: 613-957-8861
E-mail address: info@geocan.nrcan.gc.ca
Website: http://maps.NRCan.gc.ca/cmo/dealers.html

Vegetation

Vegetation maps, including forest cover maps, are used to aid in the delineation of map units based on major vegetation and stand structure attributes. Vegetation maps have been produced in the past at a variety of scales by variety of sources, including the Ministry of Environment. Some of these maps may be available from Geographic Data BC. Further information on vegetation can be gathered from forest cover maps, such as tree species, stand age, and disturbance history. With the implementation of the new Ministry of Forests Vegetation Resources Inventory, information on understory vegetation, structural stages, coarse woody debris, and snags will also be available.

Forest Cover Maps are available in hardcopy or digital form from Ministry of Forests. Forest Cover maps can also be accessed as digital files off of the BCSYS Network.

Ministry of Forests
Resources Inventory Branch
Digital Data Sales Distribution Centre
PO Box 9516, Stn Prov Gov't
Victoria, BC V8W 9C2

Tel: (250) 387-1314
Fax: (250) 387-5999
Website: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/resinv/products/DigData/brochure.htm

- Forest Cover information is also available from the Ministry of Forests District offices.

Ministry of Forests, Resources Tenure and Engineering Branch
PO Box 9510, Stn Prov Gov't
Victoria, BC V8W 9C2

Tel: (250) 387-5291
Fax: (250) 387-6445
Website: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/RTE/rtehome.htm

Database Formats

Ecosystem map database manuals, including formats for polygon database development and for GIS specifications have been developed by the Ministry of Environment, Lands, and Parks and are available on the ftp site. These manuals outline the standards and procedures for capturing, storing, and distributing ecological and terrain data for GIS as well as other database systems.

Currently there is a database and analysis package for field data available; it is called VENUS (Vegetation and Environmental data NexUS). The current version is 3.0 but the program could be subject to change so the TEM website should be consulted for the latest version of VENUS. Further information regarding the VENUS 3.0 or earlier versions of the VENUS data entry program and tabling software, can be obtained from:

Ministry of Forests ftp site:
IP address: 142.36.191.210
UserId: anonymous
Password: guest

The ftp directory is pub/VENUS

OR

URL address: ftp://cowichan.for.gov.bc.ca/pub/VENUS

OR

TEM website:
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/rib/wis/tem

If you encounter problems downloading the program or entering data, or simply have questions regarding VENUS, please contact Greg Britton, Ecology Data Analyst, at the Research Branch, Ministry of Forests.

Tel:(250) 387-6717.
Fax: (250) 387-0046
e-mail address: Greg.Britton@gems8.gov.bc.ca

Resources Inventory Committee. 1997. Data Standards for Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping in British Columbia. Resources Inventory Committee, Victoria, BC.

Data Forms

Guidelines for the field collection of ecological data has been well documented in the Field Manual for Describing Terrestrial Ecosystems (BC Ministry of Forests and BC Ministry of Environment, 1998a). This document includes information, guidelines, and field forms (FS882) required for coarse woody debris and wildlife tree data collection, along with site, soil, vegetation, mensuration, and wildlife habitat data collection. There is also a revised field form for doing ground inspections, and visual checks. This form is called the Ground Inspection Form (GIF).

The above data collection guidelines and the associated field forms should be viewed as the standard for all ecological data collection in the field. Information about ordering these dataforms can be found on the TEM website.

Other Data Sources

The list of potential sources of data useful for ecological mapping is extensive. The above list comprises the recommended data sources for some of the primary data needs of ecological mapping projects.

Web browsers are also available which provide further information regarding the different map products and publications that are available, along with their sources.

These include:

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