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4.2 Polygon Data for Additional Interpretations

Ecosystem mapping projects often focus on specific topics such as wildlife habitat suitability or forest site productivity. Ecological interpretations for such projects may require information about attributes not on the core attribute list. For example, information about tree crown closure, stand composition modifiers, and site disturbance may be required to rate habitat capability and suitability for certain wildlife species. These attributes would therefore have to be included in the database so that the ecosystem map could be interpreted adequately. A different data set (including soil and humus form attributes) would be required to determine forest site sensitivity.

Additional attributes that may be useful to enhance specific interpretations are presented in Table 4.2. The attributes are listed below the column heading for each particular type of interpretation. For example, detailed interpretations for site productivity may require information about some, or all, of the additional attributes listed under that column heading. Wildlife suitability and capability interpretive mapping will require a separate set of data attributes, and each species may even require different attributes. In most cases, more than one management interpretation will be required to meet a project's objectives. Careful planning at the outset will ensure that all necessary data attributes are collected to meet these requirements.

The lists presented in Table 4.2 provide guidelines only. An initial step in every mapping project should be to determine the desired uses of an ecological map and the interpretations required. Data attributes for specific projects should be worked out with the client and other users at the early project planning stages. Ecological mappers can choose to collect (in conjunction with the core polygon information) data for an entire subject area (e.g., forest management), or only data associated with a specific interpretation (e.g., forest site sensitivity). The data requirements should always be determined by the scope and objectives of the project.

Table 4.2 shows only a sample of potential management interpretations. The attributes included are based on our existing knowledge and understanding of ecosystem complexities. Required data attributes may also vary by region, locality, or, in the case of wildlife, by the particular species of interest. Other forestry interpretations not listed here might be pest susceptibility or potential growth-limiting factors for individual tree species. As mentioned above, selected wildlife species or species groups may also necessitate the collecting of data attributes not listed (e.g., arboreal lichen abundance, a significant forage requirement for caribou in certain areas). Other attributes and interpretations will undoubtedly be considered as we increase our knowledge of biodiversity and ecosystem dynamics.

Table 4.1Core polygon attributes required for terrestrial ecosystem mapping

Project- or Mapsheet-Specific Attributes - repeated for all polygons
Project name
Ecosystem mapper
Terrain mapper
Survey intensity level
Polygon-Specific Attributes - unique for each polygon
Record one of each of the following elements or classes per polygon:
Mapsheet number
Polygon number
Data source
Ecosection unit
Biogeoclimatic unit (zone and subzone; variant and phase required if present)
Geomorphological processes (when present)
Soil drainages
Record up to three ecosystem and/or terrain units per polygon (see Figure 3.8):
Ecosystem attributes
Terrain attributes
Table 4.2 Possible Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping interpretations and the associated attributes

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