Bulkley Valley Research Centre - Science in the Public Interest

Ecosystems of Central and North Coast and South Central Coast BC

Project Reference Number: 2008-24

Project Status: Complete

Led by: Andy MacKinnon, Research Ecologist, Ministry of Forests and Range, Nanaimo

Funder: The Coast Sustainability Trust

To improve ecosystem mapping and classification in BC’s Central and North Coasts. For ecosystem-based management, it is critical that we utilize the best available information about Central and North Coast ecosystems. This project will result in a new series of biogeoclimatic unit (subzone/variant) maps for Central and North Coast, as well as initiate the process of creating a revised classification and description of ecosystems of the area. The new maps will be based on new ground plots as well as aerial reconnaissance that took place in 2006-2008. The new ecosystem descriptions and classification will include Central Coast field sampling from summer 2008, as well as samples collected over the last 30 years.

Deliverables will include:

• revised biogeoclimatic unit maps for Central Coast BC, posted  on BECWeb.
• all new ecosystem classification plot data entered into BECMaster database.
• all plot data analysed, and a preliminary classification  and description of variants and site series for Central and North Coast BC.
• outline for a report on “Ecosystems of the Central and North Coasts”.

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