Ecosystems Labels Environment Canada …a100.gov.bc.ca/appsdata/acat/documents/r3758/sun_092f088...Sawmi l 259 245 487 278 226 25 185 265 327 463 235 256 273 198 59 136 242 192 Slia

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CDFmm

GEL

CDFmm

GEL

CDFmm

GEL

CWHxm1

GEL

CWHxm1

GEL

CWHdm

GEL

CWHdm

GEL

CWHdmGEL

CWHxm1

GEL

CDFmm

GEL

CWHxm1GEL

CDFmm

GEL

CWHdm

GEL

CWHxm1

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CWHdm

GEL

CWHxm1GEL

31

MYRTLEPOINT

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C r e e k

SportsField

ANNK

POWELL

RIVERAIRPORT

Theater

97

53

GolfCourse

School

SportsField

Cemetery

Tank

FieldSports

Sports

Fields

Arena

Senior Citizens Home

Field

Sports

SportsField

Campground

SportsFields

Auto Wrecker

Marina

Marina

Marina

Sea Plane Base

Sports

Fields

Park

145132

127

173 156

127

146

116

139

228

356

366

262

314

117

108

76

119

117

123

143

141

134

43

76

144136

108

195

319

104

OverheadCrane

Tennis Courts

ElectricalSubstation

SubstationElectrical

14750

114

76

Trailer Park

173

171

143

Sawmill

259

245

487

278

226

252

185

265

327

463

235

256

273

198

59

136

242

192

Sliammon

Westview

Cranberry

Wildwood

East

Lake

HAMMIL

HILL

H a m m i l

Lake

MYRTLE

POINT

D u c k

L a k e

GriefPoint

K e

l l

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SCOUT PARK

HILL

H A

S L

A M

L

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LEANING TREE

HILL

POWELL

RIVER

P O W E L L

L A K E

VALENTINE

HILL

GALLAGHER

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TexadaIsland

P O W E

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159

350

218

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Powell Hill

POWELL

RIVERH a

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B a y

A119V777

A120 V778

G118 V732

A147

V824

G168

V865

G174V893

V894

V895V896

G153

A154

V866

G151

A156

A150

A151

A149

A142

A148

V889

A146

V887

V914

G169

G171V838

G183

V836

G170

V817

A143

A144

A138

A137

A135

A134

V814

G159

V810

G125

V799

V798

V796

V903

V904

V843

V842

V902

G192

V905

V901

V900

V816

G160

A130

A133

A131

A132

V795

V783

V840

A145

V837

V841

V793

V792

V791V784

V780

V890 V867

A208

V1005

A146B

V899b

A147B

V1008

A125

A123

A124

A121

V823

G150A157

A155

A141

G161

V835

V839

G182

V819

V818

A139

A140

V797

G190

V794A129

A122

V781

G124

V779

V767

V733

A160

V886

G152

49315WN:sp

2YF3RI:ff

49808MF:co2RI:ff

51369OF:co1RI:ff

49728MF:co2RI:ff

50155MF:co5MF:co

490910RI:ff

49245MF:co3RI:ff

2WN:sp

505610WN:sw

516210MF:co

49205WN:sp5WN:sp

49186RI:ff

4WN:sp

48488WN:sp2WN:sp

49339MF:co

1YF

49859MF:co1RI:fh

48028RI:ff

2WN:sp

500910MF:co

482510WN:sp

51689OF:co1RI:ff

49137WN:sp3RI:ff

49906MF:co3MF:co1RI:fh

51316MF:co4WN:sp

49298RI:ff

2WN:sp

52049WD:co1HB:hb

49845MF:co5RI:ff

51616WN:sp4MF:co

50208RI:ff2RI:gu

49405RI:ff

5WN:sp

48447WD:mx3HB:hb

49424WD:co4MF:co2HB:hb

48654HB:hb4WD:co2WD:mx

51677RI:fh2MF:co1WN:sp

505310RI:ff

50747WN:sp3WN:sp

50255MF:co4WD:co1HB:hb

49047WD:mx3HB:hb

49277MF:co

3YF

51936WD:mx4HB:hb

490610WN:sp

50787MF:co

2YF1WN:sp

519810WD:mx

497510MF:co

50056WN:sp4WN:sp

48615WN:sp5WN:sp

510610WD:mx

491410WN:sp

494410MF:co

498210WN:sp

516510MF:co

48198MF:co2WN:sp

48957RI:ff3RI:gu

49786RI:ff4RI:fh

49178RI:fm2RI:fh

48627RI:fh3RI:ri

480510RI:ff

49967RI:ff3RI:gu

48868RI:ff2RI:gu

48048RI:fm2YF

52167RI:ff3RI:fh

50147RI:ff3RI:gu

50995RI:ff

4MF:co1WN:sp

48378RI:ff2RI:ff

488710WN:sp

51408RI:ff2RI:gu

48035WN:sp5RI:ff

49306RI:ff

2WN:sp2RI:fl

5003*5WN:fn3WN:sp2WN:sp

51527WD:co3MF:co

493410RI:ff

491010RI:ff

50317WN:sp3RI:fh

52007RI:ff3RI:gu

51898HB:hb2WD:co

50387RI:ff3RI:gu

51848WD:mx

2RI:ff

50227RI:ff3RI:gu

482310WN:bg

487R3R

50417RI:ff

3WN:sp

51048MF:co2HB:hb

482010WN:bg

50616RI:ff4RI:ff

499710MF:co

48127RI:gu3RI:ff

488410WN:sp

50578WN:sp2MF:co

511010MF:co

508410RI:ff

517410WN:sp

488910RI:fm

49938WN:sp2RI:ri

483510WN:sp

52186HB:sh4WD:co

512210WD:mx

508110RI:ff

2HB:hb

50977WN:fn3WN:sp

500410WN:sp

512710WN:bg

505210RI:fm

50408WD:mx1CL:ic1HB:hb

51475WD:mx5HB:hb

49056RI:ff4RI:ff

50934RI:ff4RI:gu2WN:sp

51188WD:co2HB:hb

51089WD:mx1HB:hb

48585WD:mx5HB:hb

51179WN:sp1WN:sp

51995RI:ff5RI:fh

50795RI:ff4RI:ff

1WN:sp

498610RI:fm

51638WN:sp2WN:sp

514410OF:co

52107WD:co3HB:hb

48347WD:co3HB:hb

47948RI:ff

2WN:sp

48635WN:sp3WN:fn2WN:sp

51725RI:ff5RI:gu

503010WN:sp

10WN:sp

48987WD:mx3HB:hb

49366RI:ff4RI:gu

50765RI:ff4RI:gu1RI:fh

49687RI:ff3RI:gu

151706RI:ff4RI:fm

51168WD:mx2HB:hb

508810RI:ff

516910WN:sp

50666RI:ff4RI:gu

51127WN:sp3WN:sp

49477RI:ff

3WN:sp

51549MF:co1WD:co

51537RI:ff3RI:gu 5151

10WN:sp

505110RI:ff

51808RI:ff2RI:ff

51864RI:ff3RI:gu3RI:ff

484910WN:sp

483110WN:sp

498910WN:sp

47958RI:ff

48666WN:sp3WN:sp1RI:ff

46565WD:mx3HB:sh2HB:vs

51377WD:mx3HB:hb

518110WD:mx

51256RI:ff4RI:gu

51157WD:co3HB:hb

520710WN:sp

519010RI:ff

49648WN:sp2WN:sp

519110WD:mx

513810WD:mx

50594WN:fn4WN:fn2WN:sp

50126WN:sp2WN:fn2WN:sp

50807RI:ff3RI:gu

491610WN:sp

515710RI:ff

51768MF:co2WN:sp

51215RI:ff3RI:fh2RI:ff

49877WN:sp3WN:sp

51035RI:ff5RI:gu

49775WN:sw3WN:sp2WN:ms

51346RI:fm4WN:sp

48735WN:sp3RI:ff

2WN:sp

52156RI:ff4RI:gu

486410WN:sp

50637RI:gu3RI:ff

496310WN:sp

150157MF:co3WN:sp

489110WN:sp

510510WD:mx

51838WN:bg2WN:ms

50008WN:bg2WN:sp

512410WD:mx

50246HB:hb4WD:co

52125WD:mx5HB:hb

149937WN:sp2WN:sp1WN:fn

48086HB:hb

520810WD:mx

503610WN:sp

51566RI:ff4RI:fh

513910HB:hb

52138WD:mx2HB:hb

51297WD:co3HB:hb

492310RI:ff

51467WD:mx3HB:hb

51556WN:sp4WN:fn

509810RI:ff

511410WN:sp

520510WN:sp

506910MF:co

517710WD:co

52067WD:mx3HB:sh

508310RI:gu

504310WN:fn

507510WN:sp

504910WN:sp

518710WD:mx

51418RI:ff2RI:gu

51925WD:mx5CL:ic

506210WN:fn 5072

10WN:sp

51337WD:mx3HB:hb

520910WD:mx

513210WD:mx

502110WN:sp

521710WD:co

50857RI:ff3RI:gu

50475WN:sp5WN:sp

493210WN:sp

515810WN:sp

504210RI:ff

506010WN:sp

517910WD:mx

517810WN:bg

512810WN:sp

49468WN:sp2WN:sp

511110WN:sw

52238WD:co2HB:sh

50325WN:sp3WN:sp2WN:fn

50338WN:bg2WN:sp

50967RI:gu3RI:ff

519410WD:mx

50926HB:hb4WD:co

51717RI:ff3RI:gu

51424WN:fn3WN:sp3WN:sp

517510WN:sp

51004WD:mx4HB:sh2HB:hb

49816WN:sp4WN:sp

50776WN:sp4WN:sp

500210MF:co

497110WN:sp

495310WN:sp

511910WN:sp

498310WN:sp

505810WN:sp

50356HB:hb4WD:co

493710WN:sp

514510WN:sp

497010WN:sp

51097WD:co3HB:hb

499110WN:sp

484210WN:sp

492610WN:sp

513010WN:sp

496010WN:sp

506410WN:sp

410W

51436HB:hb4HB:cs

514810WN:sp

49665WN:sp5WN:fn

502310RI:ff

518810WN:sp

520110WD:mx

6WD:mx4HB:hb

51505WD:mx5HB:hb

186948WN:sw2WN:ms

483010WN:sp

386000m.E

386000m.E

88

88

90

90

92

92

94

94

96

96

398000m.E

398000m.E

5518

000m

. N

5518

000m

. N

20 20

22 22

24 24

26 26

5528

000m

. N

5528

000m

. N

124°36'0"W

124°36'0"W

124°24'0"W

124°24'0"W

49°4

8'0"

N

49°4

8'0"

N

49°5

4'0"

N

49°5

4'0"

N

092F.088092F.088

092F.088 092F.088

Sensitive ecosystems are fragile and/or rare, or are ecologically important because of the diversity of species they support.

Sensitive Ecosystems

Variant

1

Biogeoclimatic Zone

CWH xm Subzone Ecosection Unit GEL

CWHxm1 Biogeoclimatic Unit

Sensitive Ecosystems Inventory of the Sunshine Coast and Adjacent IslandsSensitive and TerrestrialEcosystems Labels

Map Symbols

Field sample point

Air photo centre

Flight line

Map Code Site Unit Name Map

Code Site Unit Name Map Code Site Unit Name

CDFmm CWHvm1 con't CWHdm CD* black cottonwood - red-osier dogwood AS amabilis fir - western red-cedar - salmonberry CD* black cottonwood - red-osier dogwood CS* western red-cedar - slough sedge SS* Sitka spruce - salmonberry CS* western red-cedar - slough sedge DA* Douglas-fir - lodgepole pine - arbutus CWHxm1 CW* black cottonwood - willow DG* Douglas-fir - grand fir - Oregon grape CD* black cottonwood - red-osier dogwood DC* Douglas-fir - lodgepole pine - Cladina DO* Douglas-fir - oniongrass CS* western red-cedar - slough sedge DF* Douglas-fir - sword fern DS* Douglas-fir - salal CW* black cottonwood - willow DS* Douglas-fir - western hemlock - salal EM* estuarine marsh DB dune grass - beach pea EM* estuarine marsh FC* fescue - camas DC* Douglas-fir - lodgepole pine - Cladina FC* fescue - camas FG* fescue - gumweed DF* Douglas-fir - sword fern FG* fescue - gumweed FO* red fescue - poverty oatgrass - Racomitrium DS* Douglas-fir - western hemlock - salal FO* red fescue - poverty oatgrass - Racomitrium HS hardhack - sedge swamp EM* estuarine marsh HD* western hemlock - western red-cedar - deer fern JM* juniper - hairy manzanita FC* fescue - common camas HM* western hemlock - flat moss LP* Labrador tea - bog laurel - peat moss bog FG* fescue - gumweed HS hardhack - sedge swamp LR western hemlock - lodgepole pine - Racomitrium FO* red fescue - poverty oatgrass - Racomitrium JM* juniper - hairy manzanita LS* lodgepole pine - Sphagnum bog HD* western hemlock - western red-cedar - deer fern LP Labrador tea - bog laurel - peat moss bog MS sweet gale - Sitka sedge fen HK* western hemlock - Douglas-fir - Eurhynchium LS lodgepole pine - Sphagnum NF northern wormwood - red fescue - gumweed HS hardhack - sedge swamp MS* sweet gale - Sitka sedge fen OR oceanspray - rose JM* juniper - hairy manzanita RB* western red-cedar - salmonberry RC* western red-cedar - skunk cabbage LP Labrador tea - bog laurel - peat moss bog RC* western red-cedar - Sitka spruce - skunk cabbage RF* western red-cedar - grand fir - foamflower LS lodgepole pine - Sphagnum RF* western red-cedar - foamflower RK* western red-cedar - Douglas-fir - Eurhynchium MS* sweet gale - Sitka sedge fen RS* western red-cedar - sword fern RP* western red-cedar - Indian-plum RB* western red-cedar - salmonberry SB* slender sedge - white beak-rush fen RS* western red-cedar - snowberry RC* western red-cedar - Sitka spruce - skunk cabbage SM sedge marsh RV* western red-cedar - vanilla-leaf RF* western red-cedar - foamflower SS* Sitka spruce - salmonberry SB* slender sedge - white beak-rush fen RS* western red-cedar - sword fern WP water shield - pond lily SM* sedge marsh RT* western red-cedar - black twinberry SS spirea - sedge wetland SB* slender sedge - white beak-rush fen Sparsely and Non-vegetated Units

WP* water shield - pond lily SM* sedge marsh CL cliff: steep vertical or overhanging rock face CWHvm1 SP* Sitka spruce - Pacific crab apple RI river

AB western hemlock - amabilis fir - blueberry SS* Sitka spruce - salmonberry CF cultivated field, subject to agricultural practices AD* amabilis fir - Sitka spruce - devil's club WG* white beak-rush - green sedge fen OC ocean AF amabilis fir - western red-cedar - foamflower WP* water shield - pond lily PI spit

* Indicates site unit is correlated to a red or blue listed natural plant community. See report for further details. Consult with the BC Conservation Data Centre (CDC) for changes in classification since printing. http://srmapps.gov.bc.ca/apps/eswp/

Table adapted from the Provincial Site Series and Mapcodes List (mapcodes_jan2003.xls) available at: http://srmwww.gov.bc.ca/ecology/tem/list.html

Terrestrial Ecosystem Map Codes and Site Unit Names

092F.078

092F.088

092F.068

092F.087

092F.077 092F.079

092F.089

092F.098

092F.067 092F.069

092F.097 092F.099

VANCOUVER ISLAND

BRITISHCOLUMBIA

Acknowledgements Environment Canada (Canadian Wildlife Service) and the B.C. Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management (MSRM) jointly managed this project. Major funding came from Environment Canada and MSRM as part of the Georgia Basin Ecosystem Initiative, BC Habitat Conservation Trust Fund, and the Sunshine Coast Regional District. The multi agency steering committee included the above agencies as well as B.C. Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection (WLAP), Sechelt Indian Band, Sliammon First Nation, Powell River Regional District, Comox-Strathcona Regional District, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), and Terminal Forest Products Ltd.

Co-ordination and extension: Carmen Cadrin, Judith Cullington, Jan Kirkby, Jo-Anne Stacey and Peggy Ward.

Ecosystem Mappers: Carmen Cadrin, Corey Erwin, Bob Fuller, Claudia Schaefer, Shearwater Mapping Ltd. and Jo-Anne Stacey.

Digitizing and Cartography: Bon Lee of Baseline Geomatics Inc. and AXYS Environmental Consulting Ltd.

GIS support: Tim Brierley, Steve Moslin and Mike Wolowicz (MSRM).

Field Crews: Louise Blight, Carmen Cadrin, Corey Erwin, Deepa Spaeth Filatow, Moraia Grau, Edwin Hubert, Stephen Hureau, Marc Johnson, Anre McIntosh, Will MacKenzie, Claudia Schaefer, Jo-Anne Stacey and Leah Westereng.

$092F.088

UTM Projection Zone 10 NAD83, Contour Interval 20 metresMarch 2005

Scale: 1:20,000

200 0 200 400 600 800 1,000 metres

Structural Stage1

1 Sparse/bryoid Substages 1a Sparse 1b Bryoid 2 Herb Substages 2a Forb-dominated 2b Graminoid-dominated 2c Aquatic 2d Dwarf shrub 3 Shrub/Herb Substages 3a Low shrub; less than 2 m. tall 3 Tall shrub; 2 – 10 m. tall 4 Pole/Sapling Trees > 10 m. tall; typically densely stocked

5 Young Forest

Generally 40 – 80 years old depending on species and ecological conditions; forest canopy has begun to differentiate

6 Mature Forest Generally 80 – 250 years since last disturbance; understory becomes well developed as canopy opens up; shade tolerant trees established

7 Old Forest Generally over 250 years since last disturbance; structurally complex stands; Coarse woody debris (CWD) common.

1 In the assessment of structural stage, structural features and age criteria are considered together. Broadleaf stands will generally be younger than coniferous stands belonging to the same structural stage.

Abbreviated from Standard for Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping in British Columbia (RIC 1998)

Biogeoclimatic UnitsCDFmmCWHxm1CWHdmCWHvm1

Coastal Douglas-fir Moist Maritime SubzoneCoastal Western Hemlock Eastern Very Dry Maritime VariantCoastal Western Hemlock Dry Maritime SubzoneCoastal Western Hemlock Submontane Very Wet Maritime Variant

GELSOG

OUFSPR

Georgia Lowlands EcosectionStrait of Georgia Ecosection

Outer Fiordland EcosectionSouthern Pacific Ranges Ecosection

Ecosections

Ecosystem Components

Some polygon labels will have class and subclass repeated up to three times. This is not an error; it reflects the variability in site units and structural stages occurring within a polygon. More than one site unit can be correlated to a SE class and subclass. Polygon labels on the map do not include the site units. The Sensitive and Terrestrial Ecosystem Labels on the left side of the map provide details about site units mapped in each polygon.

This cartographic product uses Dot Density to indicate where more than oneecosystem class is mapped in a polygon. The number of dots indicates theproportion of the polygon represented by the 2nd and 3rd ecosystem; the colourof the dots indicates the 2nd and 3rd ecosystem class.

The base colour represents the first ecosystem component.

Coloured dots overlaid upon the base colour indicate asecond ecosystem component.

Two colours of dots indicate a second and third ecosystem.

Terminal Forest Products Limited

Sensitive and Terrestrial Ecosystems Label

The example label above indicates the SEI and TEM attributesmapped for polygon 7838. The polygon occurs in the CoastalWestern Hemlock Eastern Very Dry Maritime variant; 80% of the polygon is RI:ff - Riparian: fluvial fringe (component 1 and 2). Of this80%, 60% is site unit Western red-cedar - salmonberry (RS), structural stage 5 and 20% is site unit Western red-cedar -foamflower (RF), structural stage 5. The remaining 20% of the polygon is WD:co - Woodland:conifer dominated, site unit Douglas-fir - lodgepole pine - Cladina (DC), structural stage 6.

7838 * CWHxm1

6RI:ff RS 5 2RI:ff RF5

2WD:co DC 6

* indicates a field sample was completed but was not mapped

Polygon Number

Biogeoclimatic Zone, Subzone & Variant

% of polygon (as decile)

Structural Stage Mapcode

SE Class

1st component

2nd component

3rd component

SE subclass

Polygon Boundary

Biogeoclimatic Boundary

Roads

20m contoursTRIM StreamsAdditional streams

Intermittent/Potential Stream Drainage Route

Study Area Boundary

BCC984145

( 106Ecosection Boundary

G153[

EnvironmentCanada

EnvironnementCanada

Conifer-dominated dry to moist forest types, structural stage 7 (see table), generally >250yrs.

Subclasses:

co (conifer dominated) – greater than 75% coniferous species

Dry open forests, generally between 10 and 30% tree cover, can be conifer dominated or mixed conifer and arbutus stands; because of open canopy, will include non-forested openings, often with shallow soils and bedrock outcroppings.

Subclasses: co (conifer dominated) – greater than 75% coniferous species

mx (mixed conifer and deciduous) – a minimum of 25% cover of either group is included in the total tree cover

Non-forested ecosystems (less than 10% tree cover), generally with shallow soils and often with bedrock outcroppings; includes large openings within forested areas, coastal headlands, shorelines vegetated with grasses and herbs, sometimes low shrubs, and moss and lichen communities on rock outcrops.

Subclasses:

hb (herbaceous) – central concept of the category, non-forested, less than 10% tree cover, generally shallow soils, often with exposed bedrock; predominantly a mix of grasses and forbs, also lichens and mosses

cs (coastal herbaceous) - as hb but influenced by proximity to ocean, windswept shoreline and slopes; > 20% vegetation, grasses and herbs, some rock outcrops, moss and lichen communities

vs (vegetated shoreline) - low-lying rocky shoreline, soil pockets in rock cracks and crevices; salt-tolerant vegetation, generally with < 20% vegetation cover

sp (spit) - finger-like extension of beach, comprised of sand or gravel deposited by longshore drifting; low to moderate cover of salt-tolerant grasses and herbs

du (dunes) - ridge or hill, or beach area created by windblown sand; may be more or less vegetated depending on depositional activity, beach dunes will have low cover of salt-tolerant grasses and herbs

sh (shrub component) - > 20 % of total vegetation cover is shrub cover, with grasses and herbs

Old Forest (OF):

Woodland (WD):

Herbaceous (HB):

Areas adjacent to water bodies (rivers, lakes, ocean, wetlands) which are influenced by factors such as erosion, sedimentation, flooding and/or subterranean irrigation due to proximity to the water body. Structural stages 1 – 7.

Subclasses:

fl (low bench floodplain) - flooded at least every other year for moderate periods of growing season; plant species adapted to extended flooding and abrasion, low or tall shrubs most common

fm (medium bench floodplain) - flooded every 1-6 years for short periods (10-25 days); deciduous or mixed forest dominated by species tolerant of flooding and periodic sedimentation, trees occur on elevated microsites

fh (high bench floodplain) - only periodically and briefly inundated by high waters, but lengthy subsurface flow in the rooting zone; typically conifer-dominated floodplains of larger coastal rivers

ff (fringe) - narrow linear communities along open water bodies (rivers, lakes and ponds) where there is no floodplain, irregular flooding

gu (gully riparian) - watercourse is within a steep sided V-shaped gully

ri (river) – watercourse is large enough to represent >10% of the polygon

Riparian (RI):

Usually conifer-dominated, occasionally deciduous, dry to moist forest types, structural stage 6, generally >80yrs; > 25 ha. or buffering sensitive ecosystems.

Subclasses:

co (conifer dominated) – greater than 75% coniferous species

mx (mixed conifer and deciduous) - a minimum of 25% cover of either group is included in the total tree cover

Annually flooded cultivated fields or hay fields; important migrating and wintering waterfowl habitat.

Mature Forests (MF):

Seasonally Flooded Agricultural Fields (FS):

Limited to areas of young forest dispersed among sensitive and other important ecosystems.

Young Forests (YF):

Areas that are saturated or inundated with water for long enough periods of time to develop vegetation and biological activity adapted to wet environments. This may result from flooding, fluctuating water tables, tidal influences or poor drainage conditions.

Subclasses:

bg (bog) – nutrient poor wetland, on organic soils (sphagnum peat), water source predominantly from precipitation; may be treed or shrub dominated

fn (fen) – nutrient medium wetland (sedge peat) where ground water inflow is the dominant water source, open water channels common; dominated by sedges, grasses and mosses

ms (marsh) – wetland with fluctuating water table, often with shallow surface water, usually organically enriched mineral soils; dominated by rushes, reeds, grasses and sedges

sp (swamp) – poor to very rich wetland on mineral soils or with an organic layer over mineral soil, with gently flowing or seasonally flooding water table; woody vegetation

sw (shallow water) – standing or flowing water less than 2 m. deep, transition between deep water bodies and other wetland ecosystems (i.e. bogs, swamps, fens, etc.); often with vegetation rooted below the water surface

wm (wet meadow) – periodically saturated but not inundated with water, organically enriched mineral soils; grasses, sedges, rushes and forbs dominate

Very steep slope, often exposed bedrock, may include steep sided sand bluffs; habitat for rare species.

Subclasses:

cc (coastal cliffs)

ic (inland cliffs)

Wetland (WN):

Cliffs (CL):

Other Important EcosystemsOther important ecosystems have high biodiversity values.

Other mapped ecosystems occur in mosaic with sensitive ecosystems and arenot possible to delineate separately at the mapping scale.

Other Mapped Ecosystems

What is a Sensitive Ecosystem?

For the purpose of this study, an ecosystem is considered to be a portion of the landscape with

relatively uniform dominant vegetation.

Sensitive ecosystems are those which are fragile and/or rare, or those ecosystems which are

ecologically important because of the diversity of species they support.

Rationale Ecologically significant lands and important wildlife habitats are fast disappearing throughout the lowlands surrounding the Strait of Georgia. Intense development pressures fuelled by population and economic growth have fragmented and degraded many terrestrial ecosystems. A high proportion of these ecosystems are now designated as “at risk”. Sensitive ecosystems typically have high biological diversity and are a vital part of the landscape. They provide ecosystem services for a healthy economy and for social well being. They regulate climate, clean water, generate and clean soils, recycle nutrients and pollinate our crops. To protect these areas, sensitive ecosystems must be located, identified and mapped. Along the Sunshine Coast the wave-beaten shorelines, coastal plains, rugged mountain slopes, fjords and estuaries contribute to high biodiversity values. Here one finds coastal temperate rainforests, dry shoreline woodlands, herbaceous meadows and rocky coastal bluffs, wetlands and riparian ecosystems.

Purpose The purpose of the Sensitive Ecosystems Inventory (SEI) of the Sunshine Coast is to identify, classify and map sensitive terrestrial ecosystems along the coastal lowlands (including the adjacent islands) from Howe Sound to Desolation Sound. The goal of the SEI is to encourage informed land-use decisions that will conserve sensitive ecosystems. The SEI on Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands (1993 – 1997) shows that this information can be used in a variety of land-use planning processes and can contribute to the conservation of many sites. Decision makers, consultants and non-government organizations have found the SEI to be an effective planning and management tool. SEI data provides site-specific ecological information that can be used to flag sites of conservation concern, to prompt detailed field studies prior to development projects, and to provide input to Forest Stewardship Plans.

MethodologyThe mapping methods are based on the Vancouver Island SEI project and the Resources Information Standards Committee (RISC) Standard for Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping (TEM) in BC. Ecosystem categories include six Sensitive Ecosystem (SE) classes, two Important Ecosystem classes, and one Other Ecosystem class. The legend to the right of the map provides definitions. Ecosystem classes, subclasses, the corresponding Terrestrial Ecosystem site units and structural stages, and stream and drainage corridors not included in TRIM, are mapped. Field survey protocols followed Describing Terrestrial Ecosystems in the Field (RISC 1998) with the addition of a conservation evaluation form to document ecosystem condition and viability. Approximately 20% of the polygons were field checked.

Data Limitations The SEI is a tool to alert decision makers to the existence of sensitive ecosystems, however when land-use changes are proposed detailed site-level assessments are necessary. For sites not field checked, the accuracy of the data depends heavily on the professional judgement of the mapper and the availability of source data. Because the area is changing rapidly, reference to the date of the information source is advised. Aerial photographs used were flown between 1994 and 1999, most are at 1:10,000 scale, some at 1:16,000 scale. Due to the mapping scale, minimum polygon size is usually ½ hectare. Minimum riparian polygon width is 20 metres regardless of the stream channel width. Enlargement of the data beyond the source scale may result in unacceptable distortion and faulty registration with other data sets.

What can be done to protect sensitive ecosystems? Direct and indirect impacts to these ecosystems can be avoided by: • Retaining or creating vegetated buffers around sensitive

ecosystems to isolate them from outside disturbance; • Controlling land and water access to fragile ecosystems; • Controlling invasive species; • Allowing natural disturbances to occur; • Maintaining water quality.

If development must occur, develop carefully!

Conduct an ecological inventory to identify the existing flora and fauna and to locate any threatened or endangered plant and animal species, plant communities, and habitat features needing protection;

Plan and implement all development activities in a manner that will not adversely affect or disturb the sensitive ecosystem.

Consult a qualified professional to interpret the ecological inventory data and work to incorporate designs that maintain the functions and values of the natural ecosystem.

If you are:

A property owner: learn more about the natural values of your land, including the location of any sensitive ecosystems. Find out how to protect, maintain, and enhance those values. Consider using conservation covenants or other measures to ensure that the natural features you value are protected in perpetuity.

A developer: consider a design for your project that is creative and flexible enough to protect and enhance sensitive ecosystems. Treed lots and neighbourhood greenspaces can increase market values.

A planner: ensure that conservation is given as high a priority asother community programs such as housing, transportation, recreation, employment, public works, and community services. Encourage use of the many legal and planning tools available, such as development permit areas, tree protection by-laws, and conservation covenants to protect sensitive ecosystems.

A decision-maker (such as a politician or resource manager): ensure that protection of remaining sensitive ecosystems is a priority at all levels, and support programs, plans and operational activity that will help protect sensitive ecosystems. Encourage and facilitate the development and implementation of biodiversity conservation strategies.

A member of an advocacy group: contribute your time and expertise to help locate and protect sensitive ecosystems. For example, ratepayers’ groups, service organizations, naturalist clubs, land trusts, and conservancies often provide a link between local landowners and voluntary stewardship programs. As a member of one of these groups, you can work cooperatively with local governments to promote land use decisions that protect sensitive ecosystems.

A volunteer: participate in educational programs, conservation fundraising, or in programs to remove invasive species.

A scientist: use your expertise to help identify sensitive ecosystems, define issues that need to be addressed, formulate conservation plans, contribute to the development of conservation andmanagement strategies and explain to other professionals and decision makers the importance of sensitive ecosystems.

Polygon Label

SE subclass SE Class

20% of polygon (as decile)

2167 * 5 RI:ff 1st component 3 MF:co 2nd component 2 WN:sp 3rd component

* indicates a field sample was completed but was not mapped

Polygon Number

Old Forest

Wetland

Herbaceous

4656CDFmm

5WD:mx DA53HB:sh JM3a2HB:vs FG1b

4802CWHxm18RI:ff RS5

2WN:sp RC5

4803CWHxm1

5WN:sp RC55RI:ff RS5

4804CDFmm

8RI:fm CD52YF

4805CWHxm1

10RI:ff RS5

4812CWHxm1

7RI:gu RS33RI:ff RS5

4819CWHxm1

8MF:co RS62WN:sp RC5

4820CWHxm1

10WN:bg LS4

4823CWHxm1

10WN:bg LS5

4825CWHxm1

10WN:sp RC4

4830CWHxm1

10WN:sp HS3b

4831CWHxm1

10WN:sp HS3a

4834CDFmm

7WD:co DA53HB:hb FO2b

4835CWHxm1

10WN:sp HS3a

4837CWHxm18RI:ff RF52RI:ff RF4

4844CWHxm1

7WD:mx DC53HB:hb FO2b

4848CWHxm1

8WN:sp RC52WN:sp HS3

4849CWHxm1

10WN:sp RC4

4858CWHxm1


4861CWHxm1

5WN:sp RC55WN:sp RC4

4862CWHxm17RI:fh SS5

3RI:ri RI

4863CWHxm1

5WN:sp RC43WN:fn SB22WN:sp RC5

4864CDFmm

10WN:sp RV6

4865CWHxm1

4HB:hb FO34WD:co DS52WD:mx DC5

4866CWHxm1


1RI:ff RF5

4873CWHxm1


2WN:sp HS3

4884CWHxm1

10WN:sp RC5

4886CWHxm18RI:ff HK52RI:gu RF5

4887CWHxm1

10WN:sp RC5

4889CWHxm1

10RI:fm CD5

4891CWHxm1

10WN:sp RC5

4895CWHxm17RI:ff HK53RI:gu RF5

4898CWHxm1


4904CWHxm1


4905CWHxm16RI:ff RS34RI:ff RS5

4906CWHxm1

10WN:sp RC3

4909CWHdm

10RI:fm CD5

4910CWHxm1

10RI:ff RS5

4913CWHdm


4914CWHdm

10WN:sp RC5

4916CWHxm1

10WN:sp RC5

4917CWHdm

8RI:fm CD52RI:fh SS6

4918CWHdm

6RI:ff RS54WN:sp RC5

4920CWHdm

5WN:sp RC55WN:sp CS5

4923CWHxm1

10RI:ff RF5

4924CWHxm1

5MF:co RS63RI:ff RF6

2WN:sp RC5

4926CWHdm

10WN:sp RC4

4927CWHdm

7MF:co HM63YF

4929CWHdm

8RI:ff RF52WN:sp RC5

4930CWHdm

6RI:ff RS52WN:sp CS52RI:fl CW5

4931CWHdm

5WN:sp RC52YF

3RI:ff RS4

4932CWHdm

10WN:sp RC5

4933CWHdm

9MF:co HM61YF

4934CWHdm

10RI:ff RS5

4936CWHxm16RI:ff RS54RI:gu RF5

4937CWHdm

10WN:sp RC5

4940CWHdm

5RI:ff RS65WN:sp RC4

4942CWHxm1

4WD:co DC54MF:co HK62HB:hb FO2b

4944CWHdm

10MF:co HM6

4946CWHxm1

8WN:sp HS3b2WN:sp HS3a

4947CWHxm17RI:ff RS4

3WN:sp RC4

4953CWHxm1

10WN:sp RC5

4960CWHdm

10WN:sp HS3

4963CWHxm1

10WN:sp RC4

4964CWHdm

8WN:sp HS32WN:sp RC5

4966CWHdm

5WN:sp HS35WN:fn SB2

4968CWHdm

7RI:ff HM53RI:gu RF5

4970CWHdm

10WN:sp RC5

4971CWHdm

10WN:sp RC4

4972CWHxm1

8MF:co HK62RI:ff HK6

4975CWHxm1

10MF:co HK6

4977CWHdm

5WN:sw WP3WN:sp RC5

2WN:ms SM2b

4978CDFmm

6RI:ff RF54RI:fh RS5

4980CWHdm

8MF:co HM62RI:ff RS5

4981CWHdm


4982CWHxm1

10WN:sp RC4

4983CWHxm1

10WN:sp RC4

4984CWHdm

5MF:co HM65RI:ff RS6

4985CWHdm

9MF:co HM61RI:fh SS3b

4986CWHdm

10RI:fm CD5

4987CWHdm


4989CWHdm

10WN:sp RC5

4990CWHdm

6MF:co RS63MF:co RF61RI:fh SS3b

4991CWHdm

10WN:sp RC3

4993CWHdm

8WN:sp HS32RI:ri RI

4996CWHdm

7RI:ff RS53RI:gu RF5

4997CWHdm

10MF:co RS6

5000CWHdm

8WN:bg LS22WN:sp RC5

5002CWHdm

10MF:co DS6

5003*CWHdm

5WN:fn MS33WN:sp HS32WN:sp RC5

5004CWHdm

10WN:sp RC5

5005CWHdm


5009CWHdm

10MF:co HM6

5012CWHdm

6WN:sp RC52WN:fn SB22WN:sp HS3

5014CWHdm


5015CWHdm

5MF:co HM65MF:co RS6

5020CWHdm


5021CWHdm

10WN:sp HS3

5022CWHdm


5023CWHdm

10RI:ff HM5

5024CWHdm

6HB:hb FO2b4WD:co DC5

5025CWHdm

5MF:co HM64WD:co DS61HB:hb FO2b

5030CWHdm

10WN:sp RC5

5031CWHdm

7WN:sp RC53RI:fh SS5

5032CWHdm

5WN:sp HS33WN:sp RC52WN:fn SB2

5033CWHdm

8WN:bg LP32WN:sp RC4

5035CWHxm1

6HB:hb FO2b4WD:co DC5

5036CWHdm

10WN:sp RC5

5038CWHdm


5040CWHxm1

8WD:mx DC51CL:ic CL1

1HB:hb FO2b

5041CDFmm

7RI:ff RF53WN:sp RV4

5042CWHxm1

10RI:ff RF5

5043CWHdm

10WN:fn MS3a

5047CDFmm


5049CWHxm1

10WN:sp HS3a

5051CWHdm

10RI:ff RS5

5052CWHdm

10RI:fm CD5

5053CWHdm

10RI:ff RS5

5056CWHxm1

10WN:sw WP

5057CWHdm

8WN:sp HS32MF:co HM6

5058CWHdm

10WN:sp RC6

5059CWHdm

4WN:fn MS3a4WN:fn SB22WN:sp RC5

5060CWHdm

10WN:sp HS3a

5061CWHdm

6RI:ff RS54RI:ff RF5

5062CWHxm1

10WN:fn MS3a

5063CWHdm

7RI:gu RS53RI:ff RF5

5064CWHdm

10WN:sp HS3

5066CWHdm


5069CWHdm

10MF:co HM6

5072CWHdm

10WN:sp RC6

5074CWHdm


5075CWHdm

10WN:sp RC5

5076CWHdm

5RI:ff RS54RI:gu RS51RI:fh SS5

5077CWHxm1

6WN:sp HS3b4WN:sp RC5

5078CWHdm

7MF:co HM62YF

1WN:sp HS3

5079CWHxm15RI:ff RS64RI:ff RS5

1WN:sp RC5

5080CWHdm


5081CWHdm

10RI:ff HM6

5083CWHxm1

10RI:gu RF5

5084CWHdm

10RI:ff RS5

5085CWHdm


5088CWHdm

10RI:ff RF5

5092CWHxm1

6HB:hb FO2b4WD:co DS5

5093CWHdm


2WN:sp RC5

5096CWHdm

7RI:gu HM53RI:ff HM6

5097CWHdm

7WN:fn SB23WN:sp HS3

5098CWHdm

10RI:ff RF5

5099CWHdm

5RI:ff RS54MF:co HM61WN:sp RC5

5100CWHxm1

4WD:mx DC44HB:sh JM3a2HB:hb FO2b

5103CWHdm

5RI:ff RS55RI:gu RS5

5104CWHxm1

8MF:co DC62HB:hb FO2b

5105CWHxm1

10WD:mx DC5

5106CWHdm

10WD:mx DS5

5108CWHdm


5109CWHdm

7WD:co DS53HB:hb FO2b

5110CWHdm

10MF:co HD6

5111CWHdm

10WN:sw WP

5112CWHdm


5114CWHdm

10WN:sp RC5

5115CWHdm


5116CDFmm

8WD:mx DA52HB:hb FO2b

5117CWHdm


5118CWHdm


5119CWHdm

10WN:sp HS3a

5121CWHdm

5RI:ff RS53RI:fh SS52RI:ff RF5

5122CWHdm

10WD:mx DS5

5124CDFmm

10WD:mx DA5

5125CWHdm


5127CWHdm

10WN:bg LS4

5128CWHxm1

10WN:sp RC5

5129CWHdm


5130CWHxm1

10WN:sp HS3

5131CWHdm

6MF:co HD64WN:sp RC5

5132CWHdm

10WD:mx DC5

5133CDFmm


5134CWHxm1

6RI:fm CD44WN:sp RC5

5136CWHxm1

9OF:co DS71RI:ff HK6

5137CDFmm


5138CWHdm

10WD:mx DC5

5139CDFmm

10HB:hb FO2b

5140CWHdm


5141CDFmm

8RI:ff DS52RI:gu RK5

5142CWHdm

4WN:fn MS33WN:sp RC63WN:sp RC5

5143CDFmm

6HB:hb FO2b4HB:cs FC2b

5144CWHdm

10OF:co DS7

5145CWHdm

10WN:sp HS3

5146CWHxm1


5147CDFmm


5148CWHdm

10WN:sp HS3

5150CDFmm


5151CWHdm

10WN:sp RC5

5152CWHxm1

7WD:co DC53MF:co DF6

5153CWHdm


5154CDFmm

9MF:co RK61WD:co DA5

5155CWHxm1

6WN:sp RC54WN:fn SB2b

5156CDFmm

6RI:ff RK54RI:fh RS5

5157CWHdm

10RI:ff RF5

5158CWHdm

10WN:sp HS3

5161CWHdm

6WN:sp RC54MF:co HD6

5162*CWHdm

10MF:co DS6

5163CWHdm


5165CWHdm

10MF:co HD6

5167CDFmm

7RI:fh RS52MF:co RF61WN:sp RC5

5168CWHdm

9OF:co HM71RI:ff HM5

5169CWHdm

10WN:sp RC6

5171CWHdm

7RI:ff RF53RI:gu RF5

5172CWHdm

5RI:ff RS55RI:gu RS5

5174CWHxm1

10WN:sp RC5

5175CWHdm

10WN:sp HS3

5176CWHdm

8MF:co HD62WN:sp RC6

5177CWHdm

10WD:co DS5

5178CWHxm1

10WN:bg LS5

5179CWHxm1

10WD:mx DC5

5180CWHdm

8RI:ff HM52RI:ff RF5

5181CWHxm1

10WD:mx DC5

5183CWHxm1

8WN:bg LS52WN:ms SM2b

5184CWHxm1

8WD:mx DS62RI:ff HK5

5186CWHxm14RI:ff HK33RI:gu RF33RI:ff HK5

5187CWHxm1

10WD:mx DC5

5188CWHdm

10WN:sp HS3

5189CWHxm1

8HB:hb FO2b2WD:co DS5

5190CWHdm

10RI:ff RS4

5191CWHxm1

10WD:mx DC5

5192CWHdm

5WD:mx DC65CL:ic CL1

5193CWHxm1


5194CWHxm1

10WD:mx DC5

5198CWHdm

10WD:mx DC5

5199CWHxm15RI:ff RS45RI:ff RF5

5200CWHxm17RI:ff RS63RI:gu RF6

5201CWHxm1

10WD:mx DC5

5204CWHxm1

9WD:co DC61HB:hb FO2b

5205CWHdm

10WN:sp HS3a

5208CWHxm1

10WD:mx DC5

5209CWHxm1

10WD:mx DC5

5210CWHxm1


5211CWHxm1

5MF:co HK65MF:co DS6

14993CWHdm

7WN:sp HS3a2WN:sp RC61WN:fn SB2b

15015CWHdm

7MF:co HM63WN:sp HS3

18694CWHxm1

8WN:sw WP2c2WN:ms SM2

Documents

Ecosystems Labels Environment Canada …a100.gov.bc.ca/appsdata/acat/documents/r3758/sun_092f088...Sawmi l 259 245 487 278 226 25 185 265 327 463 235 256 273 198 59 136 242 192 Slia