Use of the biogeoclimatic ecosystem classification system in British Columbia

Abstract

Biogeoclimatic ecosystem classification (BEC) is a hierarchical system that organizes ecosystems at three levels of integration -local, regional and chronological. The system is used by silviculturists and range, recreation and wildlife managers in British Columbia. Based on the study of both vegetation and sites, the system reveals ecological potentialities and limitations of particular sites, and combined with the accumulation and widespread dissemination of ecological knowledge provides an ideal framework for integrated resource management. The ways in which the BEC system is adapted for, and used by, resource managers are described and demonstrated. Ongoing activities, including classification of sera1 ecosystems, quantification of soil moisture and nutrient regimes, identification of relationships between forest productivity and site quality, and provincialcorrelation of the six Regional classifications, are outlined. Le document dCcrit et montre comment le systbme de CBE a Ct C adapt6 pour les gestionnaires des ressources et comment ces derniers l'utilisent. I1 prCsente les grandes lignes des activitCs en cours, y compris la classification des stades sCriaux des Ccosystbmes, la quantification du rCgime d'humiditC du sol et du cycle des Clements nutritifs, I'ldentification des relations entre la productivitC forestikre et la qualit6 du site, et des corrClations provinciales des six classifications rCgionales.

Impacts of climate change on diversity in forested ecosystems: Some examples

“…We define and characterize ecosystems of a certain size and level in the hierarchy on the basis of common features, which set them apart from other ecosystems in other levels. For example, the boundaries of large, sub-continental ecosystems are a function of northsouth variations in temperature, east-west variations in humidity (Hills 1961, Bailey 1996, altitudinal variation in temperature (Bailey 1996), and topography (Wiken 1986), while the boundaries of smaller ecosystems can be delineated and classified according to vegetation and soil types (e.g., Bergeron et al 1992, Corns 1992, MacKinnon et al 1992.…”

Clearcutting — a regeneration method in the boreal forest

“…This grass, common in much of the boreal forest of North America, may delay thawing of the soil by one month because of accumulated above ground biomass and litter (Hogg and Lieffers 1991). Biogeochtic classification work in British Columbia has led to a large number of forest ecosystem classification manuals that include silvicultural guidelines for regeneration (MacKinnon et al 1992). In interior Alaska, soils and the presence of permafrost, vegetation, and time relative to floodplain terrace development are integrated with the effects of different regeneration methods in a classification that describes successional development with and without clearcutting (Dyrness et al 1988).…”

Biodiversity of Canadian forests: Current status and future challenges

“…Ecosystem classification has received a lot of attention in Canada, with systems having been developed in each province (Corns 1992, MacKinnon et al 1992Sims and Uhlig 1992). The biogeoclimatic ecosystem classification (BEC) system of British Columbia, which has been adapted for use in Alberta, is a hierarchical system that integrates ecosystem variation at regional and local levels and over time.…”

“…The biogeoclimatic ecosystem classification (BEC) system of British Columbia, which has been adapted for use in Alberta, is a hierarchical system that integrates ecosystem variation at regional and local levels and over time. For forest management purposes, "site units" based on environmental characteristics such as moisture and nutrient status are identified at the local level, and used for developing silvicultural prescriptions, for range management and for integrating recreation into multiple-use management (MacKinnon et al 1992).…”