Review paper

The Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification Approach: an ecological framework for vegetation classification

MacKenzie, William H.; Meidinger, Del V.

Phytocoenologia Band 48 Heft 2 (2018), p. 203 - 213

91 references

published: May 1, 2018
published online: Dec 15, 2017
manuscript accepted: Mar 27, 2017
manuscript revision received: Mar 12, 2017
manuscript revision requested: Feb 11, 2017
manuscript received: Sep 29, 2016

DOI: 10.1127/phyto/2017/0160

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Abstract

Abstract Biogeoclimatic ecosystem classification (BEC) is best described as a classification framework that leverages a modified Braun-Blanquet vegetation classification approach to identify and delineate ecologically equivalent climatic regions and site environmental conditions. Vegetation classification is the basis of the BEC framework and underlies the many resource management applications of the BEC system. The BEC approach was initially adopted from the pioneering work of Vladamir Krajina by the British Columbia Forest Service in 1976 as a five-year program to assist with forest regeneration decision-making but over the subsequent 40 years, it has developed into a comprehensive framework for understanding ecosystems in a climatically and topographically complex region. The central role of vegetation in delimiting climate and site classifications provides users with a straightforward procedure to practice ecosystem-based management, facilitates modelling the spatial distribution of ecosystems, and the impacts of changing climate and environmental condition on vegetation.
 Nomenclature: MacKenzie, W. H., Penny, J., Meidinger, D. & McIntosh, T. 2016. Vascular and non-vascular plant species list for British Columbia with synonymy and data codes: version 10. [ACCESS 2010 Database]. Province of British Columbia. (http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hre/becweb/resources/codes-standards/standards-species.html).
 Abbreviations: BEC = biogeoclimatic ecosystem classification; BGC = biogeoclimatic; DCS = diagnostic combination of species.
 Submitted: 29 September 2016; first decision: 11 February 2017; accepted: 27 March 2017


Keywords

bioclimate • Braun-Blanquet • British Columbia • ecological land classification • site • zonal