ECOSYSTEM MAPPING METHODS FOR BRITISH-COLUMBIA

Most resource professionals in British Columbia recognize the value of ecosystem classification in providing a conceptual framework and comm on language for organizing ecological information and management exper ience about ecosystems. Ecosystem mapping utilizes principles of ecosy stem classification in order to provide a permanent record of the loca tion and distribution of ecosystems. This spatial framework is often r equired for developing, applying, and monitoring landscape level and s ite-specific management prescriptions for many potential resource valu es. Over the past 20 years, several approaches to ecosystem mapping ha ve been applied throughout the province. Standard procedures for provi ncial resource inventories and standards for medium and large scale ec osystem mapping (1:10 000 to 1:100 000 scales) have recently been prop osed for the province. The proposed mapping approach combines elements of two classification systems currently in use in the province: ecore gion classification and biogeoclimatic ecosystem classification (BEC). Ecoregion and biogeoclimatic units stratify the landscape into broad physiographically and climatically uniform units. Within this broad fr amework, permanent landscape units are then delineated based on terrai n features. Ecosystem units represent the lowest-level mapping individ uals and are derived from the site series classification within BEC. E cosystem units thus reflect moisture and nutrient regime and the clima x vegetation potential of the site. Additional site modifiers are incl uded to recognize variation in topography and soils within the site se ries. Structural stage and seral association modifiers are included to describe existing vegetation characteristics. The mapping methods pre sent a core list of attributes required for basic resource interpretat ions, as well as additional attributes required for more specific inte rpretations.