Terrestrial ecosystem data standards and guidelines

BEM and BEI use the following classification systems to subdivide the landscape into mappable units:

• Ecoregions of B.C. classification (PDF, 2.4MB): Broad, provincial-scale ecological units based on climatic processes, physiography and broad animal and plant distribution, ecosections are the broadest unit at this scale of mapping
• Biogeoclimatic ecosystem classification (BEC): Within ecosections are biogeoclimatic units that integrate climatic, vegetation and site classifications at a regional level

BEM projects follow The Standards for Broad Terrestrial Ecosystem Classification and Mapping For British Columbia: Classification and Correlation of the Broad Habitat Classes used in 1:250,000 Ecological Mapping (PDF, 993KB)

TEM is recommended for ecosystem mapping at scales of 1:5000 to 1:20 000, the methodology laid out in the Standard for Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping in British Columbia (PDF, 2.1MB).

Standards and guidelines regarding digital data format requirements for submitting TEM data to the B.C. government are detailed in Terrestrial Ecosystem Information and Digital Submission Standard – Database and GIS Data Standards (PDF, 582KB) found in the most current TEI Contractor Package.

Access TEI approved ecosystem mapping codes  for use with current TEI mapping projects.

Users working with older mapping projects including historical map codes or retired codes, can contact TEI_Mail@gov.bc.ca to request the master mapping code list.

If the project includes a bioterrain component review, consult:

• Guidelines and Standards to Terrain Mapping in British Columbia (PDF, 3.6MB)
• Terrain Classification System for British Columbia (PDF, 4.8MB)

TEM uses the Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification (BEC) system to identify ecosystems and field data is collected using Field Manual for Describing Terrestrial Ecosystems – 2nd Edition Reprint with Updates 2023 (PDF, 11MB).

PEM is recommended for ecosystem mapping at scales of 1:20 000 to 1:50 000, the methodology laid out is the Standard for Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping in British Columbia (PDF, 2.1MB). 

Standards and guidelines regarding digital data format requirements for submitting PEM data to the B.C. government are detailed in Terrestrial Ecosystem Information and Digital Submission Standard – Database and GIS Data Standards (PDF, 582KB) found in the most current TEI Contractor Package.

The methodology developed for TEM in the Standard for Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping in British Columbia (PDF, 2.1MB) also applies to PEM projects. 

For the terrain components reference:

• Guidelines and Standards to Terrain Mapping in British Columbia (PDF, 3.6MB)
• Terrain Classification System for British Columbia (PDF, 4.8MB)

PEM uses the Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification (BEC) system to identify ecosystems and field data is collected using Field Manual for Describing Terrestrial Ecosystems – 2nd Edition Reprint with Updates 2023 (PDF, 11MB).

SEI in B.C. follow the provincial Standard for Mapping Ecosystems at Risk. It outlines the recommended process as well as potential considerations for SEI project planning.

• Standard for Mapping Ecosystems at Risk in British Columbia (PDF, 727KB)

• Field Manual for Describing Terrestrial Ecosystems – 2nd Edition Reprint with Updates 2023 (PDF, 11MB)
• The FS882 forms (PDF, 1.1MB) (pages 1 to 4, 2011) are used to record site, vegetation, soils, terrain and tree mensuration information in the field
• The FS882 forms (PDF, 1.1MB) (pages 5 to 8, 1998) are used to record wildlife habitat assessment, tree attributes for wildlife, and coarse woody debris
• The Site Visit Form (SIVI) (PDF, 417KB) is used to record the basic site, vegetation, soil, and terrain information to a BEC site series determination from a quick field inspection. Polygon attributes (for up to three components) could be recorded in the comments field or use the GIF form below
• The Ground Inspection Form (GIF) (PDF, 13KB) is used to record the basic site, vegetation, soil and terrain information to support a BEC determination of site series from a quick field inspection of a polygon, and to capture polygon mapping information (up to 3 components within the mapping polygon)

Standards and guidelines regarding digital data capture and submission are detailed in Standard for Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping in British Columbia (PDF, 2.1MB) found in the most current TEI Contractor Package. 

Access TEI approved ecosystem mapping codes for use with current TEI mapping projects.

Users working with older mapping projects including historical map codes or retired codes, can contact TEI_Mail@gov.bc.ca to request the master mapping code list.

These older documents do contain information about common feature codes (FCODEs) used for mapping and symbology for map production, and are included below:

• Standard for Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping (TEM) – Digital Data Capture in British Columbia (Version 3.0 RIC 2000) (PDF, 515KB)
• Standard for Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping (TEM) – Digital Data Capture, Version 3.0 (RIC 2000), Errata No. 1.0 (PDF, 239KB)
• Standard for Predictive Ecosystem Mapping (PEM) – Digital Data Capture, Version 1.0 (RIC 2000) (PDF, 186KB)
• Standard for Predictive Ecosystem Mapping (PEM) – Digital Data Capture, Version 1.0 (RIC 2000), Errata No. 1.0 (PDF, 205KB)
• Standard for Digital Terrain Data Capture in British Columbia Version 1 (1998) (PDF, 794KB)
• Standard for Digital Terrain Data Capture in British Columbia Version 1: Errata (2007) (PDF, 243KB)

For data capture templates for soil surveys, contact the Soil Information Specialist at TEI_Mail@gov.bc.ca. For more information, consult:

• Species Distribution Modeling Digital Data Standards (PDF, 365KB)
• Wildlife Species Inventory Standards
• Wildlife Habitat Rating Data Submission Standards, Version 2.2 (PDF, 386KB)

Contact TEI_Mail@gov.bc.ca for documents and instructions related to quality assurance standards and guidelines. 

The following materials are available on request:

• Introduction to Quality Assurance Procedures
• Quality Assurance Guidelines: Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping (TEM)
• Quality Assurance Guidelines: Predictive Ecosystem Mapping (PEM)
• Quality Assurance Guidelines: Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping (TEM) Digital Data Capture
• Quality Assurance Guidelines: Predictive Ecosystem Mapping (PEM) Digital Data Capture
• Quality Assurance Guidelines: Terrain Stability Mapping (TSM) - March 2010 
• Quality Assurance Guidelines for the Describing Terrestrial Ecosystems in the Field (DTEIF) 
• Quality Assurance Guidelines: Wildlife Habitat Rating (Draft). Version 1.0 

Submit QA data as described in the following: 

• Standard for Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping (TEM) – Digital Data Capture, Version 3.0 (RIC 2000), Errata No. 1.0 (PDF, 239KB)​
• ​Standard for Predictive Ecosystem Mapping (PEM) – Digital Data Capture, version 1.0 (RIC 2000), Errata No. 1.0 (PDF, 205KB)

Assessing the thematic accuracy of each individual mapping project is a key component in determining appropriate interpretative uses of the data. It's critical to assess the thematic accuracy of individual mapping projects prior to the use of project data for interpretations that extend beyond the intent of the original project objectives.

The B.C. government has adopted a standard procedure for the accuracy assessment of ecosystem mapping:

• Protocol for Accuracy Assessment of Ecosystem Maps
• Protocol for Assessing Thematic Map Accuracy Using Small-area Sampling

Ecosystem mapping used in timber supply applications, must meet a set of minimum map accuracy standards:

• Ecosystem Mapping Accuracy and Timber Supply Applications (PDF, 31KB)

All accuracy assessments must be submitted to the Province according to the digital data capture and submission standards and guidelines detailed in Terrestrial Ecosystem Information and Digital Submission Standard – Database and GIS Data Standards (PDF, 582KB) found in the most current TEI Contractor Package. 

• Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification
  • Anthropogenic, Non-Vegetated and Sparsely Vegetated Ecosystem Map Codes (PDF, 118KB)
  • Regional Field Guides
  • The Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification for non-forested Ecosystems in British Columbia
• Ecoregions of B.C. Classification (PDF, 2.4MB)
• Wetlands of British Columbia

Follow provincial standards and guidelines on soil surveys and any mapping project where soil, terrain or surficial geology attributes are collected:

• Soil survey and mapping standards and guidelines
• Terrain mapping standards and guidelines

Additional resources

• Canadian System of Soil Classification (PDF, 15.5MB)
• Guidelines and Standards to Terrain Mapping in British Columbia (1996) (PDF, 3.6MB) 
• Guidelines for Professional Services in the Forest Sector – Terrain Stability Assessments (2010) (PDF, 1.8MB) 
• Landslide Classification and Inventory System for British Columbia with Digital Standards - Draft 1, 2007 (request the document at TEI_Mail@gov.bc.ca)
• Mapping and Assessing Terrain Stability Guidebook (1999) (PDF, 637KB) 
• Soil Inventory Methods for B.C. (PDF, 5MB)
• Terrain Classification System for British Columbia (Version 2 (1997): D. Howes and E. Kenk) (PDF, 4.8MB)
• Terrain Stability Mapping in BC: A Review and Suggested Methods for Landslide Hazard and Risk Mapping – Final Draft (1996) (PDF, 637KB)