Terrain Mapping Standards & Guidelines

All terrain mapping projects in B.C. follow the Terrain classification standard:

• Terrain Classification System for British Columbia (Version 2 (1997) D. Howes and E. Kenk) (PDF)
• Guidelines and Standards to Terrain Mapping in British Columbia (1996) (PDF) 
• Field Manual for Describing Terrestrial Ecosystems (DTEIF) – 2^nd Edition (2010) (PDF)
  • FS882 Field form (2011) (PDF) (Site, Terrain, Soils, Vegetation, Tree Mensuration)
  • ​FS1333 Site Visit Form (SIVI) (PDF)
  • Ground Inspection Form (GIF) (PDF)
• Landslide Classification and Inventory System for British Columbia with Digital Standards-DRAFT 1, 2007  (request this document)

These technical standards outline the procedures and rules for capturing, storing, and submitting project data that is to be maintained in a provincial data warehouse. Submit projects in file geodatabase format: 

• Terrestrial Ecosystem Information( TEI) Digital Data Submission Standard - Draft for Field Testing (2010) (PDF)

A contractor package that includes templates in ArcGIS file geodatabase and SHP/DBF formats and an ArcGIS data validation toolbox is also available:

• Download tools and templates related to TEI digital data submission

Each data set / digital file is identified with a unique business area project identification number (BAPID). If a BAPID has not already been provided, request one from the data custodian after a detailed project plan is in place, but before submitting data.

• Terrain Stability Mapping in BC: A review and suggested methods for landslide hazard and risk mapping – final draft (1996) (PDF)  
• Mapping and Assessing Terrain Stability Guidebook (1999) (PDF) 
• Guidelines for Professional Services in the Forest Sector – Terrain Stability Assessments (2010) (PDF) 

Assessing the quality of each individual mapping project is a key component in determining appropriate interpretative uses of the data.

• Quality Assurance Guidelines for Terrain Stability Mapping – Draft;  version 1 (2010) (PDF)