8/7/2019 2011 Lecture 3b Ecological Land Classification

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Ecological Land

ClassificationOntario¶s DRAFT Ecosite

Field Guide

Kimmins¶ Forest Ecology 

8/7/2019 2011 Lecture 3b Ecological Land Classification

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Ecosystem Classification

ecological foundation for sustainable

resource management

classification innate tendency inhumans

hard to do with ecosystems ± why?

8/7/2019 2011 Lecture 3b Ecological Land Classification

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Ecosystems are :

diverse &

complex

therefore it is hard to define criteria for classification (what are the groups?)

8/7/2019 2011 Lecture 3b Ecological Land Classification

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Ask 2 questions :

1. What is the purpose of a specific

classification?

some are broad & general

some are very specific

2. How small do you go?

purpose

funding & other resources

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Different Approaches to Terrestrial

Ecosystem Classification

1. Climatic Classification Approach (C. A.)(Biomes)

2. Landform or Physiographic C. A. (Landscape)

3. Vegetation C. A. (USA forest cover type, Canada Forest Region)

4. Ecosystem C. A.

8/7/2019 2011 Lecture 3b Ecological Land Classification

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1. Climatic Classification Approach :

Framework

³«continental-level ecosystem

characterized by :

a major climate type specific vegetation type

associated animal & microbial

communities major topographic/geological features´

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link

8/7/2019 2011 Lecture 3b Ecological Land Classification

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2. Landform or Physiographic

Classification Approach

T he Basic Resource in an ecosystem is :

the soil & its

associated landforms.

Both play a major role in determining :

ecosystem structure

species composition productivity

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Advantages

1. CHEAP : can map large areasquickly & easily (remote sensing)

2. PERMANENT : macroclimate,landforms & soils don¶t usuallychange quickly

3. SOUND ECOLOGIC AL BASIS : 

groupings defined by elements thatdetermine species composition,structure & productivity

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3. Vegetation Classification

Approach

Most obvious & reliable :

looking for patterns or ³repeating units´ 

identifiable consistent

combinations of plants

that grow on a particular soil or site type

can adapt easily to different scales

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Different Starting Points

1. ecosystem structure & life form

broad scale

2. dominant tree species traditional, especially in U.S. forestry

3. floristic (species) composition

best developed in Europe, Russia,Canada

4. plant productivity

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Criteria to define Groups

Need to be :

1. accessible

easily observed & measured in the field

2. significant

can consistently distinguish betweencommunities

3. effective expresses environmental differences at

required level of detail

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4. Ecosystem Classification

Approach

2 types :

focus on vegetation-soil ³units´ with a

framework of climate and/or climate/vegetation

focus on physical environment 1st,

then add vegetation later (ie. Soil

Types)