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This updated version of the terrain classification manual differs only slightly from the 1988 edition. The basic Terrain Classification System for British Columbia has not been modified. The only changes are the addition of several new symbols, and minor modifications to existing terms and symbols. These changes have come about as a result of discussions by the Terrain Data Working Committee of the Geology Task Group that is part of the Earth Sciences Task Force of the Resources Inventory Committee, British Columbia. They reflect the current widespread use of terrain mapping as the basis for ecosystem mapping and slope stability mapping. Additions and changes to symbols are indicated in Appendix III.

This Manual is to be used in conjunction with "Guidelines and Standards for Terrain Mapping in British Columbia", Resources Inventory Committee, 1995, and "Terrain Database Manual: Standards for Digital Terrain Data Capture in British Columbia", Resources Inventory Committee, 1996.

The purpose of this manual is to provide an updated and revised edition of the Terrain Classification System produced by the British Columbia Ministry of Environment in 1976 (E.L.U.C.S., 1976). Since its introduction, this mapping scheme has been used extensively by various Provincial and Federal Government agencies, as well as by private companies. During this time period, the classification has been modified to improve its application for several kinds of land evaluations. This update incorporates these modifications and has been undertaken to ensure that terrain maps are uniformly prepared and of high quality. It also ensures that an empirically supported, qualitative, standard terrain database system for both terrain and multiple resource interpretations is available for the Province of British Columbia.

The Terrain Classification System is based upon a classification system designed for mountainous terrain originally introduced by R.J. Fulton of the Geological Survey of Canada and presented at the workshop, "Base Data Inventories for Canada's Northlands", held in Toronto in April, 1974. It formed the basis of the British Columbia's 1976 edition of the classification (E.L.U.C.S., 1976). The latter document was prepared by the staff of the Resource Inventory and Analysis/Interpretation Divisions of the Resource Analysis Unit, Environment and Land Use Committee Secretariat, British Columbia Department of Environment. The authors of that published manual included: N. F. Alley, A. N. Boydell, J. M. Ryder, D. E. Howes, M. E. Walmsley, A. Pattison, B. Thomson, T. Vold and R. Beale.

This revision of the Terrain Classification System is based on, and draws heavily from, the following sources: (1) the original 1976 document, (2) an unpublished draft document of the terrain classification system prepared for the British Columbia Ministry of Environment by J. M. Ryder, (3) suggestions and ideas contributed by several terrain mappers within the Province of British Columbia (see Acknowledgments), and (4) material developed by the contributing editors. Revisions have been kept at a minimum, thus, users familiar with the 1976 version of the classification should have no problem adapting to the changes (see Appendix IV for summary of changes). The text does not provide information about mapping techniques and field sampling procedures. Further information about the classification, particularly for the non-specialist, is available in "A User's Guide to Terrain Maps in British Columbia" by Ryder and Howes (1984). Regional terrain reports and maps available in British Columbia are listed in a catalogue prepared by Maps BC, Surveys and Resource Mapping Branch, British Columbia Ministry of Crown Lands.

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In addition to the contributions made by those identified in the preface, the editors would like to acknowledge the following for contributing their ideas and comments for an improved Terrain Classification System. Thanks are due to C. P. Lewis, L. Lacelle, B. Thomson, M. Sondheim, R. H. Louie, and T. Vold of the British Columbia Ministries of Environment, Forest and Crown Lands; private consultants M. J. Miles, R. Gerath, B. Petch, D. Maynard, and B. MacLean; and R. J. Fulton and J. J. Clague of the Geological Survey of Canada.

The final version of this classification was reviewed by H. A. Luttmerding of the British Columbia Ministry of Environment, S. C. Chatwin of the British Columbia Ministry of Forests, and T. P. Rollerson of MacMillan Bloedel Ltd.

Photographs were provided by H. Baender, M. Fenger, D. Howes, E. Kenk, R. Maxwell, J. Ryder and B. Thomson.

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The Terrain Classification System is a scheme designed for the classification of surficial materials, landforms and geomorphological processes. It has been specifically developed to provide an inventory of the terrain features in the landscape and to show their distribution, extent and location. The system is scale independent and provides base data applicable for a wide range of natural resource applications including planning, management, impact assessment and research. The data is conveyed in map form by the use of terrain symbols and is conducive to computer digital storage, management and processing.

This Document (1997) includes updated terms and symbols which are found listed in Appendix III. This update defines VERSION 2.

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