Ecosystem Classification RENR 2100

The course focuses on terrestrial ecosystem classification in British Columbia. A focus is on British Columbia’s Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification (BEC) and the Ecoregion Classification for B.C. but other classifications are surveyed. BEC is important because of its wide use in British Columbia and because it serves as an integrator of scientific knowledge on plants, soils and other ecosystem components. Students learn to identify and interpret forest ecosystems using mainly the Vancouver Forest Region guide as an example, but examples from other regions are also used. Wetland classification is covered with emphasis on B.C.’s Wetland and Riparian Ecosystem Classification (WREC). Some aspects of the Canadian Wetland Classification System and the National Wetland classification system (USA) are covered. Influences on ecosystem development, such as climate, organisms, topographic relief, parent materials and time, as well as more specific factors, such as fire, wind, and human disturbance, are emphasized. The importance of plant succession with respect to vegetation management (in silviculture, wildlife habitat management, and other disciplines) is discussed. An overview of plant community classification by various methods is presented. Methods of sampling and describing ecosystems are discussed and practiced. Other topics covered are terrestrial ecosystem mapping, ecosystem data interpretation for classification, plant indicator species, and estimation of plant community diversity.