The Forest Inventory Zone(s) (FIZ) were developed to provide a broadly based ecological classification of the forest land in British Columbia. FIZ closely follow the early biogeoclimatic zones developed by Dr. Krajina. The province of British Columbia is split into 12 FIZ zones.

The TEI Data Distribution packages in this folder contain of the full Terrestrial Ecosystem Information (TEI) dataset split into Predictive Ecosystem Mapping (PEM) data and non-PEM data which includes Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping (TEM), Terrain Mapping (TER), Bioterrain Mapping (TBT) Terrain Stability Mapping (TSM), Sensitive Ecosystems Inventory (SEI), Soil Mapping (SOIL project boundaries only), and Wildlife Habitat Ratings (WHR project boundaries only) by Natural Resource Sector Region (see Index map .pdf). Data includes the Project Boundaries (with project metadata and links to related data such as reports), Long Table (detailed mapping polygons with the full RISC standard attribute table), Short Table (detailed mapping polygons with key and amalgamated (concatenated) attributes derived from Long Table), On-site Symbol features (point, line or polygon terrain features such as landslide tracks, scarps), Sample Sites (field sampling locations), and any user-defined tables. The data dictionary is also available. This data is in file geodatabase format. Current version: v11 (published on 2024-10-03) Previous versions: v10 (published on 2023-11-14), v9 (published on 2023-03-01), v8 (published on 2016-09-01) Note that the Soil Mapping dataset is available from: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/esd/distdata/ecosystems/Soil_Data/SOIL_DATA_FGDB/

Ecodomains are areas broad climatic uniformity, defined at the global level

Ecodivisions are areas of broad climatic and physiographic uniformity, defined at the continental level.

An ecoregion is an area with major physiographic and minor macroclimatic or oceanographic variation. There are 43 ecoregion in British Columbia of which 39 are terrestrial. Ecodivsions are meant to be mapped at 1:500,000 for regional strategic planning

Ecosections are areas with minor physiographic and macroclimatic or oceanographic variations. There are 114 ecosections in British Columbia varying from pure marine units to pure terrestrial units. Ecosections are meant to be mapped at small scales (1:250,000) for resource emphasis and area planning

An ecoprovince is an area with consistent climatic or oceanography, relief and regional landforms. There one oceanic, two marine / terrestrial and seven terrestrial ecoprovinces occurring within British Columbia. Ecoprovinces are meant to be mapped at 1:2,000,000 for use in provincial state of the environment reporting

Terrain Stability Mapping (TSM) contains polygons with key and amalgamated (concatenated) attributes derived from the RISC (Resource Inventory Standards Committee) standard attributes. TSM uses air photo interpretation and select field checking to divides the landscape into units using the Terrain Classification System for British Columbia and stability criteria. Polygon attributes include (but are not limited to) surficial material, surface expression, geomorphological processes, drainage class, slope range and stability class. TSM methods include manual air photo interpretation and setting stability criteria supported by selective field checking. This layer is derived from the STE_TEI_ATTRIBUTE_POLYS_SP layer by filtering on the PROJECT_TYPE attribute. Project types include: TEMSET, TEMTSM, TSM, TSMREC, TSMDET, TBW, and TBS. Current version: v11 (published on 2024-10-03) Previous versions: v10 (published on 2023-11-14), v9 (published on 2023-03-01), v8 (published on 2016-09-01)

STE_TEM_50K_POLYS_SVW contains Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping (TEM) polygons with key and amalgamated (concatenated) attributes derived from the RISC (Resource Inventory Standards Committee) standard attributes completed at a scale of 1 to 50,000 or smaller (i.e. 1 to 100,000). TEM divides the landscape into units according to a variety of ecological features including climate, physiography, surficial material, bedrock geology, soils and vegetation. TEM methods include manual air photo interpretation supported by selective field checking. This layer is derived from the STE_TEI_ATTRIBUTE_POLYS_SP layer by filtering on the PROJECT_TYPE and PROJECT_MAP_SCALE attributes. Project types include: TEM, NEM, TEMNSS, NEMNSS, TEMPRE, NEMPRE, TEMSEI, TEMSET, TEMTSM, TEMWHR, TEMSDM, TEMPRW, NEMPRW, and TEMSEW. Project map scale equals 50000. Current version: v11 (published on 2024-10-03) Previous versions: v10 (published on 2023-11-14), v9 (published on 2023-03-01), v8 (published on 2016-09-01)

STE_TER_ATTRIBUTE_POLYS_SVW contains Terrain Mapping (TER) polygons with key and amalgamated (concatenated) attributes derived from the RISC (Resource Inventory Standards Committee) standard attributes. Mapping criteria vary considerably between the terrain inventory, bioterrain and terrain stability mapping projects contained in this layer. TER divides the landscape into units according to surficial materials, landforms and geomorphological processes using the Terrain Classification System for British Columbia. TER methods include manual air photo interpretation supported by selective field checking. This layer is derived from the STE_TEI_POLY_ATTRIBUTES_SP layer by filtering on the PROJECT_TYPE attribute. Project types include: TEM, TEMNSS, TEMPRE, TEMSEI, TEMSET, TEMTSM, TSM, TSMREC, TSMDET, TIM, TBS, TBT, TIMSOI, TEMWHR, TEMSDM, TEMPRW, and TEMSEW. Current version: v11 (published on 2024-10-03) Previous versions: v10 (published on 2023-11-14), v9 (published on 2023-03-01), v8 (published on 2016-09-01)