Abstract
The methodology for developing and mapping a hierarchical Ecological Land Classification (ELC) is presented. The classification provided a systematic methodology that explained the distribution and composition of southern New Brunswick's forested landscape. The nested structure of the ELC identified and provided a hierarchical linkage between ecosystems from the size of forest stands to climate regions. This framework made the collection and analysis of data efficient and gave confidence that tree species distributions, which were central to understanding the influence of abiotic factors on the forest systems, were controlled by the factors examined at each level of the hierarchy. This ELC methodology, developed for the Fundy Model forest, was successful in describing and mapping the Climate, Geomorphologic, and Regolith controlled forest ecosystems. Preliminary classification indicates that spatial referencing of the Site Level is achievable.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Atmospheric Environment Service: 1993, Canadian Climate Normals 1961–1990 - Atlantic Provinces, AES Publ., Environ. Can., Ottawa, Ontario, 105 pp.
BrysonR.A.: 1966, ‘Air masses, streamlines, and the boreal forest’, Geog. Bull. 8(3), 228–269.
BurnsR.M. and HonkalaB.H. (tech. coords.): 1990a, Silvics of North America: 1. Softwoods, Agric. Handb. No. 654, US Dep. Agric., For. Serv., Washington, DC, 675 pp.
BurnsR.M. and HonkalaB.H. (tech. coords.): 1990b, Silvics of North America: 2. Hardwoods, Agric. Handb. No. 654, US Dep. Agric., For. Serv., Washington, DC, 877 pp.
ClatterbuckW.K. and GregoryJ.: 1991, ‘Extrapolation of forest community types with a geographic information system In: L.H.McCormick and K.W.Gottschalk (eds.), 8th Central Hardwood forest Conference: Proceedings; 1991 March 3–6, 1991, Gen. Tech. Rep. No. NE-148, US Dep. Agric., For. Serv., NE For. Exp. Stat., Radnor, Pennsylvania, pp. 261–270.
Colpitts, M.C., et al.: In press, Forest soil maps, New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources and Energy/Agriculture Canada, Fredericton, New Brunswick, (Unpublished Map Series).
DayE.E.D., McCallaR.J., MillwardH.A. and RobinsonB.S.: 1977, The Climate of Fundy National Park and Its Implications for Recreation and Development, Atlantic Reg. Geogr. Ser. No. 1, St. Mary's Univ., Halifax, Nova Scotia, 245 pp.
Department of Energy, Mines, and Resources: 1972, New Brunswick National Topographic Series Maps at 1:250 000 scale, Surveys and Mapping Branch, Ottawa Ontario.
DzikowskiP.A., KirbyG., ReadG. and RichardsW.G.: 1984, ‘The Climate for Agriculture in Atlantic Canada’, Publ. No. ACA 84-2-500, Agdex No. 070, Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, Ontario.
EyreF.H. (ed.): 1980, Forest Cover Types of the United States and Canada, Society of American Foresters, Washington, DC, 147 pp.
FahmyS.H., ReesH.W. and MacMillanJ.K.: 1986, Soils of New Brunswick, A First Approximation, New Brunswick Department of Agriculture, Fredericton, New Brunswick, 105 pp.
Loucks, O.L.: 1962, ‘A forest classification for the Maritime Provinces’, Forest Research Branch, Canada Department of Forestry, 167 pp.
MacMillanJ.K. and HoytK.E.: 1981, ‘Soil and climate related information for New Brunswick’, New Brunswick Department of Agriculture, Fredericton, New Brunswick, 28 pp.
McLeod, M.J., Johnson, S.C. and Ruitenberg, A.A.: 1994, ‘Geological map of southeastern New Brunswick’, Map NR-6, New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources and Energy, New Brunswick Department of Mineral Resources.
RamptonV.N., GauthierR.C., ThibaultJ. and SeamanA.A.: 1984, Quaternary Geology of New Brunswick, Geologic Survey of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario.
Reed, G.S. and Smith, P.J.: nd, ‘Determining the agroclimatic potential of the undulating topography in Havelock Parish, New Brunswick’, Unpubl. Report 60-74.
RoweJ.S.: 1972, ‘Forest Regions of Canada’, Publ. No. 1300, Dep. Environ., Can. For. Serv., Ottawa, Ontario.
Thornthwaite, C.W.: nd, ‘An approach toward a rational classification of climate’, The Geogr. Rev. 55–94.
vanGroenewoudH. and RuitenbergA.A.: 1982, ‘A productivity oriented forest site classification for New Brunswick’, Information Report No. M-X-136, Can. For. Serv., Martimes Forest Research Centre, Fredericton, New Brunswick, 9 pp.
Wuest, L.J. 1994, ‘Dual nomination: a reciprocal categorization clustering algorithm’, Unpublished manuscript.
ZelaznyV.F., NgT.T.M., HayterM.G., BowlingC.L. and BewickD.A.: 1989, ‘Field guides to forest site classification in New Brunswick’, New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources and Energy, Fredericton, New Brunswick.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Matson, B.E., Power, R.G. Developing an Ecological Land Classification for the Fundy Model Forest, southeastern New Brunswick, Canada. Environ Monit Assess 39, 149–172 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00396142
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00396142