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2011 Lecture 3b Ecological Land Classification
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Transcript of 2011 Lecture 3b Ecological Land Classification
8/7/2019 2011 Lecture 3b Ecological Land Classification
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/2011-lecture-3b-ecological-land-classification 1/14
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
8/7/2019 2011 Lecture 3b Ecological Land Classification
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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´
8/7/2019 2011 Lecture 3b Ecological Land Classification
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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
8/7/2019 2011 Lecture 3b Ecological Land Classification
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link
8/7/2019 2011 Lecture 3b Ecological Land Classification
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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
8/7/2019 2011 Lecture 3b Ecological Land Classification
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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
8/7/2019 2011 Lecture 3b Ecological Land Classification
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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
8/7/2019 2011 Lecture 3b Ecological Land Classification
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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
8/7/2019 2011 Lecture 3b Ecological Land Classification
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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)