Natural Disturbance Type Map

The Natural Disturbance Type map is based on the Provincial Biodiversity Guidebook (1995) and the current and most detailed version of the approved corporate provincial Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification (BEC) Zone/Subzone/Variant/Phase map (version 12, September 2, 2021) (Data Catalog record: https://catalogue.data.gov.bc.ca/dataset/bec-map). The natural disturbance type classification code is used to designate a period process or event such as insect outbreaks, fire, disease, flooding, windstorms and avalanches that cause ecosystem change and renewal. Natural disturbance type classification and mapping is used for a wide variety of applications in British Columbia. A few examples include: delineation of Natural Disturbance Types for Landscape Unit Planning; delineation of Seed Planning Zones; as an input for Predictive Ecosystem Mapping; reporting on the ecological representation of the Protected Areas Strategy; and as a level in the classification hierarchy for Broad Ecosystem Units. Note that this mapping is deliberately extended across the ocean, lakes, glaciers, etc to facilitate intersection with a terrestrial landcover layer of your choice