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Introduction-global to local: Ecological Land Classification

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Abstract

Ecological Land Classification (ELC) is a scientific endeavour which attempts to organize, stratify and evaluate ecosystems (and complexes of ecosystems) for the purposes of land resource management. Since ecosystems themselves are not easily defined in practical terms, ELC is likewise not a trivial concept. Nonetheless, ELC is a prerequisite for ecosystem management and the conservation of biological diversity simply because ecosystems must be described, characterized and spatially-located before they can be managed. Regarding the current status and future direction of ELC, mainly in relation to forest management: 1) approaches to ELC construction and utilization have shifted considerably over the past 2 decades; 2) there appears to be a current consensus regarding basic approaches to ELC; 3) spatial scale is a critical variable that must be addressed by ELCs; 4) ELCs must strive to more directly address management objectives; 5) natural ecosystem functions need to be better integrated within ELC frameworks; and, 6) the need for quality, georeferenced ELC-related data will continue to grow.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Canadian Forest Service-Ontario Region, Natural Resources Canada, P.O. Box 490, P6A 5M7, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada

    Richard A. Sims

  2. Canadian Forest Service-Northwest Region, Natural Resources Canada, T6H 3S5, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

    Ian G. W. Corns

  3. Department of Forest Sciences, University of British Columbia, V6T IZ4, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

    Karel Klinka

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  1. Richard A. Sims
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  2. Ian G. W. Corns
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  3. Karel Klinka
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Sims, R.A., Corns, I.G.W. & Klinka, K. Introduction-global to local: Ecological Land Classification. Environ Monit Assess 39, 1–10 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00396130

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