Why the CDC was established
Accurate information about species and ecological communities at
risk is essential in order to manage and protect these entities.
In recognition of this fact, the Conservation Data Centre was established
in 1991 as a joint project of the Ministry of Environment, the Nature
Trust of B.C., the Nature Conservancy of Canada and
The
Nature Conservancy (US). Initial funding came from a variety of
sponsors including BC Parks, the BC Telephone Company, BC Hydro, Canadian
Wildlife Service, Cariboo Lumber Manufacturers Association, UBC, the
Council of Forest Industries, the Hamber Foundation and the Vancouver
Foundation.
Our goal is to assist in preserving the biodiversity of the province by providing
accurate information on species and ecological communities at risk.
What the CDC does
Staff specialists at the Conservation Data Centre, in cooperation with
scientists and experts throughout the province, have identified B.C.'s most vulnerable vertebrate
animals, vascular plants and ecological communities. Invertebrate animals, mosses and lichens are
currently being identified. Each of these species and ecological communities is assigned a
global and
provincial
(subnational) conservation status rank according to an objective set of criteria established by The
Nature Conservancy (US). They are also placed on provincial Red and Blue Lists, according to the
provincial conservation status rank. For
information on ecological community ranking see
Ecological Communities in British Columbia: Conservation Status Assessment Factors
(PDF 258 KB).
Once identified, species and ecological communities at risk are
'tracked' in the CDC's computerized database. Information on their
biology, conservation status, and individual locations or 'occurrences' are systematically
collected.
The CDC also compiles records on areas such as Nature Trust and Nature
Conservancy Properties. We can identify which endangered species or
ecological community occurs within one of these areas.
The CDC also focuses on identifying areas where there are concentrations
of species and/or ecological communities at risk. Once identified, these
ecologically sensitive 'sites' can be used to assist in establishing
land protection priorities for the province.
Advantages of the CDC
A Centralized Data Source
Information on species and ecological communities at risk which
would otherwise take a great deal of time and expense to gather
is available from one source at the CDC. The Centre collects and assembles
information from museums, herbaria, universities, published and unpublished reports,
theses, scientists, natural history groups and the ongoing work of its own staff and contractors.
Reliable, Objective Information in a Consistent
Format
All records which are accepted for entry in the CDC's database have
been carefully screened and verified by staff specialists. The source
of every record is included in the database, and duplicate records
are identified and amalgamated. Each locational record for a species
or ecological community is systematically
augmented with a standard set of spatial, ecological and administrative
boundary attributes, and rated as to level of geographical precision,
and whether or not it occurs in a protected area such as a park or ecological
reserve. Rigorous quality control procedures minimize transcription
and data entry errors.
Continually Updated Information
The CDC's database is permanent and dynamic. Records are entered and
edited on a daily basis in our specialized database management software,
and the data collecting process is continuous. The value of our database
increases with each year of operation. Once compilation of existing
data is relatively complete, the CDC will focus on:
- monitoring sites of concern to ensure that information for these
areas is current and relevant
- identifying gaps in our knowledge base in order to direct inventory
time and resources where they are most needed.
Sensitive Data are Protected
The CDC database contains records which are sensitive for ecological,
academic or other reasons, or because they occur on private property.
These records fall under the exemption provisions of the Freedom of
Information Act and WILL NOT be released to the public. Such records
are normally listed in reports without locational information attached,
but with a contact address provided so that the reason for protection
of the record can be discussed. Exceptions are made only under specific
circumstances (e.g., for bona fide government conservation planning strategies,
professional personnel working to enforce the Forest Practices Code,
etc.) on the understanding that this information will not be released
to the general public.
Easily Accessible Information
A primary goal of the CDC is to make its data available, and our software
is specifically designed to generate customized reports. Information
is provided to anyone making a written request.
In most cases, the information you require will be available within
a week.
Who uses the CDC
Information from the CDC database is available to anyone who submits
a written request. The CDC database generates customized reports, and
it is our goal to make our data as widely accessible as possible. It
is essential that accurate information on species and ecological communities
at risk be available to all planners, decision makers and public interest
groups if the biodiversity of the province is to be preserved.
The CDC currently answers about 1000 data requests a year. Typical
users include:
- managers and consultants designing forest harvest plans
- government personnel enforcing the Forest and Range Practices Act
- planners and developers evaluating site options for a project
- city councilors developing a community plan
- scientists and educators wishing to focus their attention on key
areas or species
- decision makers and conservation groups identifying vulnerable areas
Click here for further information on how
to submit a data request.
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