Ministry of Environment
Terrain
Types of Terrain Mapping Projects
There are generally 3 main types of terrain mapping projects currently conducted in BC, governed by provincial standards.
Types of Terrain Mapping:
Terrain inventory mapping
Terrain stability mapping
Bioterrain mapping
Illustrations/Comparisons/Contrasts
Related Terrain Products:
Subset products
Other related mapping
Terrain inventory mapping is a multi purpose inventory of the surficial geology, geological processes and geomorphological features in the landscape. It follows the Terrain Classification System for British Columbia and is intentionally generic in nature so as to serve a variety of land use planning and management needs. Other forms of terrain mapping can be derived from this type of terrain map with review, modification and field verification. Using terrain inventory mapping for specific purposes requires the expertise of a professional terrain mapper. Existing terrain inventory maps are a good source of background information for a variety of applications.
Terrain stability mapping is an enhanced method of terrain mapping that identifies areas prone to landslides and slope failures. Terrain stability maps usually contain information about terrain, soil drainage, slope steepness and terrain stability classes. Terrain stability or slope stability is the susceptibility of a terrain polygon to slope failure. Each terrain polygon is rated to indicate relative stability using a qualitative scale. Classes may have some quantitative descriptions relating to slide frequency and magnitude. Additional features related to stability are indicated using on-site symbols. These include landslide headscarps, debris flow tracks, tension cracks, and gullies. It is important to read the project report and familiarize yourself with the criteria used for the evaluation of slope stability and to understand the limitations of the mapping.
There are two types of terrain stability maps: reconnaissance and detailed terrain stability mapping. The table below describes the standard characteristics:
| Reconnaissance | Detailed | |
| Map description | Usually only the unstable and potentially unstable areas are given terrain labels. Stable areas are not subdivide or given a terrain label. | The entire landscape within the study area is divided into terrain polygons with terrain labels. |
| Classification system | Uses a 3 class system (U, unstable; P, potentially unstable; and S, stable) | 5 class system (I - very stable, II -stable III - moderately stable;
IV - potentially unstable; V - unstable). Sometimes IVR and VR are
used to indicated that road construction may cause instability. |
| Terrain Survey Intensity Level (TSIL) | Typically D or E | Typically A, B or C |
| Uses | For landscape level planning, to identify areas requiring more detailed study, flagging areas that warrant on site investigation by a terrain stability expert. | Planning, terrain hazard and constraint identification, other related interpretations. Detailed terrain description can be used to derive other information, e.g., aggregate resources |
Bioterrain mapping is a modified method of terrain mapping that focuses on the attributes that influence ecology. It is an integral step to terrestrial ecosystem mapping. Bioterrain mapping is a component of an interdisciplinary product that shares common polygon linework. Terrestrial ecosystem mapping contains terrain, ecological, climatologically, drainage and sometimes wildlife information. It provides a powerful tool that can be used to make multidisciplinary queries.
Illustrations/Comparisons/Contrasts
The following documents and links illustrate, summarize and compare the three types of mapping. The purpose of these documents is to assist industry clients of terrain mapping in determining the type of mapping best suited for their information needs, and to assist data users in better understanding the existing datasets.
- The document: Three types of Terrain Mapping - Diagrams provides a visual example of the differences between the three types of mapping and provides some explanation of utility of each individually and in combination.
- The table: Comparison of Terrain, Terrain Stability and Bioterrain Mapping provides a comparison of some of the common features of the three types of mapping and is useful for data users and for those setting up terrain mapping projects. See: .
- The paper: Usefulness
of Terrain Stability Mapping for Bioterrain Purposes - A Discussion
Paper discusses the utility and ‘cautions’ in using
terrain stability mapping for ecological purposes and bioterrain mapping
for slope stability purposes.
Subset Products - Select Terrain Attributes
Another type of inventory related to terrain is being collected for some modeling applications such as PEM. Select terrain attributes are also collected for landslide inventories. Select terrain attributes are specific to the project objectives. There are currently no RISC standards governing this type of mapping. However, if attributes related to soils, terrain or surficial geology are collected a qualified professional should be hired to do the mapping. Where possible, and as applicable standard field names and associated coding following Terrain or Soils Standards should be used (see: Standards page). Sign off by the professional should be part of the deliverables. Project managers may contact the terrain and soils data custodians at soilterrain@victoria1.gov.bc.ca to discuss proposed coding and methodology.
Related Terrain Mapping Products
- soils and landforms maps
- surficial geology maps
- glacial features maps
- soils maps
- snow avalanche track mapping
- landslide inventory mapping
- landslide hazard mapping
- geological hazard mapping
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