Ministry of Environment Ecology

The Provincial Site Series & Map Code List was updated in March 2006.

Download the file here

What’s New?

The file is now in MS-Access format and contains improved search functions and more information!

The updates include the addition of:

• new BGC subzones;
• many new non-correlated units;
• updated information on assumed modifiers, typical soil moisture regime (SMR), valid structural stages, and the region that each unit occurs in.

Changes include:

• Several Tabs to simplify sorting data by site series or mapcodes, tools to find similar codes or similar unit names, and the ability to print selected or all codes.

• A “Lookup Unit” search box: allows users to jump to BGC units by typing in the BGC code of interest or picking from a list;
• The name of a specific TEM project associated with each unit is accessed when you select the mapcode unit in the “Lookup Unit” box and then click on the “Selected Unit Info” tab.
• Generic PEM codes are now found here , in a separate MS Excel file but will soon be added as an additional tab.

• The “Restricted Use Codes” tab provides a list of map units (provincially unique) for anthropogenic, non-vegetated and sparsely vegetated units (replaces Table 3.1 from the 1998 TEM standards)

PLEASE NOTE:

• This new Provincial Site Series & Map Code List replaces the old mapcode_jan2003.xls file. There have been many additions to ecosystem units and some updates to codes, names, and descriptions.
• This file is a guide intended to provide the user with approved terrestrial ecosystem mapping units.
• The mapcode name appears as Unknown in several instances where the project report or expanded legend provided insufficient information to update this file. Where possible these entries will be corrected in the next update.
• The Restricted Use Codes (AKA the non, sparsely veg & anthropogenic codes) are unique province-wide and cannot be used for any other ecosystem unit.
• The Ministry of Forests regional ecologist must first approve any new ecosystem units.
• Once approved send the new units to the Provincial Correlator to be given an official two-letter mapping code.
• A database of valid Biogeoclimatic (BGC) names and codes is available from the Research Branch, Ministry of Forests.
• For information about wetlands in B.C. visit the Wetland and Riparian Ecosystem Classification Project (WREC) web site.

For more information, contact the Provincial Correlator .