Ecosystem Mapping and Habitat Suitability Modeling
Ecosystem Mapping and Habitat Suitability Modeling
Development projects often have need for ecosystem mapping and habitat modeling. This process helps to assess the value of resources and potential impacts to valued ecosystem components. With proper information, proponents can design their projects to avoid detrimental impacts where possible and propose mitigation measures where necessary. Streamline's biologists have conducted numerous ecosystem mapping and habitat modeling projects, most of which have been for Environmental Impact Assessments. What follows is a brief description of the process and its products.
Ecosystem mapping is a process of delineating a landscape into units with similar attributes. In BC, ecosystem mapping is based on the biogeoclimatic ecosystem classification (BEC) system (Meidinger and Pojar, 1991), which divides the province into a hierarchy of zones, subzones, variants and phases based on soil, vegetation and topography characteristics. There are currently 14 zones identified in BC and 133 subzones. Some zones, such as the Coastal Douglas Fir have only one while others, such as the Englemann Spruce Subalpine Fir zone is divided into numerous subzone/variant/phases, in this case, 68.
Zonal classification, as described above, can be further differentiated by site classifications. This is a finer level in which spatial polygons are identified by common vegetation communities and soil moisture and nutrient characteristics. Typically, the site identifier used at this stage is known as the site series. There are typically at least 11 site series identified for each subzone/variant/phases but several dozen may be used depending on the objectives of your particular project.
Ecosystem mapping is completed on a desktop computer using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software. Our biologists incorporate any existing information with air photo interpretation to create initial maps of the project area. The initial mapping is then verified with field plots to confirm its precision and accuracy. Field results are then used to refine the maps and produce a final product.
Depending on the nature of the project and its location, wildlife habitat suitability modeling is typically conducted for several species. A list of focal species is derived from lists of red- and blue-listed species that may be present in the study area as well as others that have potential to be impacted by the project.
Completed ecosystem mapping typically requires the incorporation of several other variables for wildlife habitat suitability mapping. Forest cover, including age and structure class as well as other variables such as tree height, species composition and crown closure are primary among these. In BC, these variables are sometimes available within Vegetation Resources Inventory (VRI) GIS coverages. Where these data are not available, they must be inferred from air photo interpretation and field verification. Other attributes, such as mean elevation, slope and aspect can be calculated using GIS algorithms.
Habitat suitability models (HSM) for each focal species are then run using the GIS mapping attributes as a source. HSM are developed for each species based on knowledge of a particular species' needs for nesting, reproduction and growth. Existing knowledge such as published reports, other regional projects, the location of verified sightings and the accrued knowledge of our biologists are used to develop these models. Regional models are sometimes available from academic or applied science projects that are adjusted to reflect local conditions.
The model outputs include a rating for each spatial polygon. A four-class rating scheme is used where knowledge about a focal species' habitat requirements are general; A six-class rating schemed is used where habitat suitability knowledge is well-developed for the focal species. In both cases, available habitat is compared against a provincial benchmark, which is considered ideally suited for the focal species.
The final product is a map for each focal species that assigns a habitat suitability rating to each spatial polygon within the project area. Using this information, Streamline can assess the relative value of habitat within the project area and help our clients design projects that avoid impacts to the highest quality habitat. This is an example of how Streamline can help clients simultaneously achieve the two objectives of designing projects that have the lightest touch possible on ecological resources and of facilitating project approval.
http://streamline-env.com/
References
Meidinger, D. and Pojar, J. 1991. Ecosystems of British Columbia. British Columbia Ministry of Forests. 330 pp.
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