Ministry of Environment Sensitive Ecosystems Inventories

Bowen-Gambier Methodology

The inventory began in the spring of 1993 and was completed in September 1997. The initial phase (1993/94) involved the interpretation of approximately 3000 air photos (mostly at scales of 1:10,000 to 1:15,000). The minimum size requirement for non-forested ecosystems was one-half hectare; for forested ecosystems the minimum size varied according to age class and structural stage. The second phase (1994/95) consisted of field checking approximately 30% of all sites identified in Phase 1, to verify boundaries, classify, photograph and evaluate present conditions. The final phase (1995/97) involved compiling and editing all data, digitizing sites outlined on the air photos and producing digital and hardcopy maps.