Ecological land classification

Ecological land classification is a cartographical delineation of distinct ecological areas, identified by their geology, topography, soils, vegetation, climate conditions, living species, habitats, water resources, as well as anthropic factors (corroborated by ref).^[1] These factors control and influence biotic composition and ecological processes.

Types

Many different lists and ecological land classification schemes have been developed.^[2][3]

• Biogeography - Biogeographical provinces take into account both flora and fauna.
• Phytogeography - from Greek words phyto = plant and geography meaning also distribution, concerned with the geographic distribution of plant species.
• Botany - botanists have identified floristic provinces based on flora-plant communities
• Zoology - zoologists have identified zoogeographic provinces based on faunal communities.
• Conservation - approximating ecosystem capacity and potentials.
• Geology and Pedology (soil study) - the physical matter and energy that constitute the Earth.

In Canada ecological land classification schemes are commonly used. Provincial authorities have adopted methods to classify ecosystems within various ecoregions of the province. Ontario is one such province that uses an extensive method to define ecological units. Improvements in hand held technology have allowed for more efficient collection of vegetation and physiological data in the field, such as with the ELC eTool.

Hierarchy of classification levels in ecology compared to other fields

This classification table shows the parallel classification terms in similar spatial scales used in the study of the biotic and abiotic components of ecosystems and the Earth.

From largest at top to the smallest at bottom the classification levels are:

WWF system

• Biosphere
  • Ecozones or realms
    • Terrestrial biomes (major habitat types)
      • Ecoregions
        • Ecosystems (biotopes)
    • Freshwater biomes (major habitat types)
      • Ecoregions
        • Ecosystems (biotopes)
  • Marine ecozones or realms
    • Continental Shelf biomes (major habitat types)
      • (Marine provinces)
        • Ecoregions
          • Ecosystems (biotopes)
    • Open & Deep Sea Biomes (major habitat types)
  • Endolithic biome

See also

References

• Klijn, F., and H. A. Udo De Haes. 1994. "A hierarchical approach to ecosystems and its implications for ecological land classification." In: Landscape Ecology vol. 9 no. 2 pp 89–104 (1994). The Hague, SPB Academic Publishing bv.
• Gregorich, E. G., and et al. "Soil and Environmental Science Dictionary." Canadian ecological land classification system, pp 111 (2001). Canadian Society of Soil Science. CRC Press LLC. ISBN 0-8493-3115-3.

Footnotes

External links

• Ecoregions and Ecosites
• Example of ecological land classification in British Columbia (Canada)
• EcoSim Software Inc ELC eTool
• International Association for Vegetation Scientists (IAVS) - Vegetation Classification Methods