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Ministry of Environment

Glossary

Attribute Group
ERM System: A grouping of one or more attributes. An attribute group may contain only one attribute (e.g. STRCT_S) in which case the attribute group is simply referred to as an 'attribute'.
Attribute Value
ERM System: A value that an attribute, or attribute group, may have. For example, a value for the attribute STRCT_S is '3'; a value for the attribute group STRCT_S:STRCT_M is '3b'; a value for the attribute group BGC_ZONE:BGC_SUBZON:BGC_VRT:SITEMC_S is 'IDFxh1WB'.
Attribute-Value Effect (AVE)
RRM Tool: A number that represents the effect of an attribute value on an RSI, relative to an IAV.
Attribute-Value Effect (AVE) Table
RRM Tool: A table listing AVEs and structured for use with the RRM tool. (See Example.)
AVL File
ERM Mapping Tool: An ArcView Legend file that can be created by choosing Theme/Edit Legend..., then choosing Save... from the Legend Editor window.
Capability
The ability of habitat, under the optimal natural (seral) conditions for a species, to provide the species' life requisites, irrespective of the current conditions of the habitat.
Categorical ratings
ERM System: Ratings that represent categories that are not relative to each other (See Relative Ratings). For example, the rating schemes used for sensitive ecosystem mapping often use categories such as WD (woodland), FO (old forest), and WE (wetland). There is no relative value inherent in these rating classes.
When creating themes (with ERM Mapping tool) based on categorical ratings, you cannot create Averaged or Highest Value themes, nor Capability themes.
Complex Theme
ERM Mapping Tool: A theme that is created from one or more existing simple themes. Complex themes are often made by performing overlays or spatial analyses.
Final Resource Suitability Index (Final RSI)
RRM Tool: The resource suitability index that is assigned to a ecosystem unit in a ratings table after the RSIs and AVEs have been combined via a model equation.
Graphical User Interface (GUI)
A window or form which presents options for you, the user, to interact with the computer.
Initial Attribute Value
The value of an 'ecosystem' attribute which represents the initial conditions of an ecosystem unit, to which an initial RSI is assigned.
Ratings Column
A column (field) in a resource ratings table that contains ratings. The ratings can be either categorical or relative. A ratings table also contains attribute fields (attributes) which defined the ecosystem units to which the ratings are applied.
Record
RRM Tool: A generic term used to refer to each unique combination of attribute values in a resource ratings table. If the resource ratings table uses attributes derived from an ecosystem classification system, each record is commonly called an ecosystem unit.
Relative ratings
ERM System: Ratings that are relative to each other (vs. Categorical ratings). For example, the standard wildlife habitat ratings schemes are relative rating schemes. A rating of H (High) means an ecosystem unit has more value than a rating of L (Low).
When creating themes using relative rating schemes with the ERM Mapping tool, it is possible to create Averaged, Dot-density, Highest Value, and Largest Area themes.
Resource
ERM System: Any information that can be interpreted from mapped attributes is a resource. Typically, in the context of the ERM System, a resource is habitat for a wildlife species, or a species - habitat use - life requisite combination.
Resource Ratings Table (RRT)
ERM System: A flat database containing fields that represent ecosystem attributes and fields that represent resources. Within each record, the values in the ecosystem attribute fields define an ecosystem unit, and the values in resource fields (Ratings Columns) are ratings that represents the value of the ecosystem unit for the resources. (See Example.)
Resource Suitability Index (RSI)
RRM Tool: A number which represents the suitability of an ecosystem unit for a resource, relative to other ecosystem units. Also see final RSI.
Resource Suitability Index (RSI) Table
RRM Tool: A table listing RSIs for ecosystem units. Usually not all permutations of ecosystem units are listed in an RSI table, but only a few ecosystem units in various initial conditions. Effects of non-initial conditions are captured in one or more AVE tables.
Simple Theme
ERM Mapping Tool: A theme that is created directly from only one ratings column in a ratings table.
 
Revised 03-Dec-2010