RRMT 235 - Ecological Land Classification

Ecological Land Classification (ELC)

• ELC stands for Ecological Land Classification, a system to categorize land based on ecological characteristics.
• It operates on a hierarchical structure, mapping land units based on ecological similarity.

Delineation Factors of ELC

• ELC delineations are based on three main factors: vegetation, climate, and soils.

Purpose of Ecosystem Classification

• Facilitates sustainable land use planning and management applications.
• Organizes ecological information for effective management.
• Enhances understanding of ecosystems and their interrelations.
• Provides a common language for land managers to describe ecosystems.
• Supports Predictive Ecosystem Mapping (PEM).

Predictive Ecosystem Mapping (PEM)

• PEM provides a framework for anticipating ecosystem attributes based on various data inputs.

Influencing Factors on Ecosystem Expression

• Ecosystem expression is shaped by climate, physical site characteristics, biota, and the temporal aspect (time).

Ecosystem Development Interaction

• Ecosystems develop from the interactions between biota and their abiotic environment.

Climate and Ecosystem Expression

• Precipitation and temperature are the two critical climate factors influencing ecosystem traits.

Physical Characteristics Influencing Ecosystem Expression

• Topography, parent material, and soil structure determine ecosystem expression.

Topographical Factors

• Slope, aspect, and hydrology are specific topographical elements affecting ecosystem characteristics.

Ecosystem Classification Systems

• Four primary systems include biomes, ecoregions, bioclimatic zones, and biogeoclimatic ecosystems classification (BEC).

Biogeoclimatic Ecological Classification (BEC)

• BEC is a system that classifies ecosystems within biogeoclimatic zones based on regional climate and ecological factors.

Systems of Ecosystem Classification

• Ecosystems are broadly classified based on regional climate, vegetation types, and landforms.

Scales of Ecological Classification

• Ecological classifications can occur at global, national, and regional scales.

Global Ecosystem Classification

• The global system is defined by biomes, which categorize large ecological areas.

Yukon Ecosystem Biome

• The Yukon is primarily classified as a boreal forest or taiga biome.

Canada’s Ecological Classification

• Canada's ecosystems are classified into ecozones, with the Yukon specifically having ecozones and ecoregions.

Ecoregion vs. BEC Classification

• Ecoregion classification delineates geographical units based on elevation, while BEC focuses on altitudinal ecological zones.

Characterization of Ecosystem Units

• Plant communities are crucial for characterizing ecosystem units due to their integration of ecosystem components.

Vegetation and Soils Composition

• Vegetation and soil are influenced by climate, organisms, topography, parent material, and time.

Importance of Plants and Soil

• Plants and soil are ideal for ecosystem characterization as they integrate ecosystem components, reflect functioning, and are easy to assess.

Site Attributes Affecting Plant Growth

• Climate, soil moisture, and soil nutrients significantly influence plant growth and community composition.

Fundamental Unit of ELC

• The fundamental unit in ELC is the "Site Association," referring to an assemblage of biota on ecologically similar sites.

Climax Ecosystem Definition

• A climax ecosystem represents the final, stable state of an ecosystem at the end of a natural succession pathway.

Equilibrium in Ecosystems

• Climax ecosystems exist in equilibrium, maintaining structure and function until a large-scale disturbance occurs.

Climate and Ecosystem Development

• Climatic climax reflects the potential for development based on prevalent regional climate conditions.

Edaphic Climax Ecosystems

• Edaphic climax ecosystems emphasize site conditions that influence their structure and functioning.

Zonal Ecosystems Representation

• Zonal ecosystems symbolize the average conditions affecting the landscape, integrating climatic and topographic factors.

Bioclimatic Units Characterization

• Zonal systems are used to define bioclimatic units, highlighting the regional climate's influence on ecosystem development.

Edatopic Grid Description

• The edatopic grid's horizontal axis represents soil nutrient regimes, while the vertical axis depicts soil moisture regimes.

Ecological Equivalence

• Ecological equivalence refers to similar site conditions relevant to plant growth, leading to similar plant associations.

Classifying Ecosystem Units

• Ecosystem units can be classified based on soil moisture and nutrient regimes (SMR and SNR).

Zone Definition and Characteristics

• A zone is defined as a large geographic area with homogeneous climate types.

Criteria for Naming Zones

• Zones are named after dominant climax species and may include modifiers based on geographic or climatic attributes.

Subzone Naming Criteria

• Subzone names are derived from classes of relative precipitation and temperature, alongside continentality.

Operational Units in Management

• The site series or ecosite acts as the basis for silvicultural and forest management decisions.

Ecosite Characteristics

• Ecosites may lack characteristic climax associations at times due to disturbances or succession patterns.

Climate Change Stability

• Site components are expected to remain stable in climate change, reflecting relative SMR and SNR.

Anticipated Changes Due to Climate Change

• Vegetation is likely to change, producing new absolute SMR and SNR conditions.

Likely Ecosystem Changes from Climate Change

• Expected changes may include shifts in plant species, alterations in natural disturbance regimes, and the emergence of novel ecosystems.

Uses of Ecological Classification Language (ECL)

• ECL serves to communicate, predict resources, manage disturbances, understand management options, and inform silvicultural practices.

Explore the fundamental concepts of Ecological Land Classification (ELC) in this set of flashcards. Learn about the hierarchical systems of ELC and how vegetation, climate, and soils help define and classify land units. Ideal for students aiming to grasp the essentials of ecological mapping.