Wildlife Habitat and Species Distribution Modeling

Introduction

Description: Wildlife Habitat and Species Distribution Modeling projects include innovative and standards-based methods. Wildlife Habitat Ratings (WHR) data is a standard-based approach to habitat modeling that uses plot data and expert knowledge to interpret habitat values from ecosystem inventories. Habitat Supply Modeling (HSM) is also included in this activity and since there are no mandatory standards for HSM, all projects are considered to be innovative. For information on FIA eligibility see: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hcp/fia/landbase/index.htm. For Resource Inventory Activity Area Expectations see: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hcp/fia/landbase/activities/resource_inventories.htm

Process: All projects will require an auditable workplan, clearly stating project objectives, methodology, and deliverables. The Terrestrial Ecosystem Information (TEI) Guidelines for Developing a Project Plan (PDF 232KB) provide an outline of the recommended process and a list of potential considerations pertaining to overall TEI project planning. (TEI projects include Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping, Predictive Ecosystem Mapping, Sensitive Ecosystem Inventory, Bioterrain, Terrain, Landslide Inventory, Terrain Stability Mapping,  Wildlife Habitat Ratings, Species Distribution Modelling, and Soils projects.)  Recipients of FIA funding are required under their agreement with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to adhere to RISC standards, LBIP Standards, or an approved variance from the standards. A request for variance must be submitted to PwC who may then forward that request to the data custodian for review. Innovative approaches must comply with the Criteria for Conducting Innovative Projects.

Delivery:  Project deliverables must in accordance with the Mandatory Standards listed below. All deliverables must be submitted to the appropriate data repository and the data custodian must be notified following the submission (see the Terrestrial Ecosystem (TEI) Information Data Submission page for details). Note, prior to data submission, a unique business area project identification number (BAPID), must be obtained from the data custodian (if a BAPID has not already been provided). The BAPID number is required for dataset/digital file identification. Requests for BAPID numbers should only be made once the detailed project plan is in place (see the Terrestrial Ecosystem Information (TEI)  Guidelines for Developing a Project Plan (PDF 232KB) for further information regarding this process).

Standards & Related Documents: The links below provides on-line access to the standards and other related documents including strategies, best practices, guidelines, and reports.

Project Planning

Terrestrial Ecosystem Information Guidelines for Developing a Project Plan (PDF 232KB)

Mandatory Standards

	•	British Columbia Wildlife Habitat Rating Standards (PDF 1.97MB)
	•	Wildlife habitat Rating Data Submission Standards (PDF 386KB)
	•	Species and Ecosystems at Risk LBIP Standard (applicable to various activities) (PDF 80.1KB)
	•	Terrestrial Ecosystem Iinformation Digital Data Submission Standard - Draft for Field Testing, 2010 (PDF 1.82MB)

Project Specific Standards

	•	Species Distribution Modeling Digital Data Standards (PDF 364KB)
	•	Standard Methods for Identifying and Ranking Nesting Habitat of Marbled Murrelets (Brachyramphus Marmoratus) in BC using Air Photo Interpretation and Low-Level Aerial Surveys (PDF 1.14MB)

Other Related Information

Please note: Due to government reorganization, Ministry or other agency names, contacts, and website URL's, located within documents listed above, under “… Standards" or “Other Related Information”, may have changed since document publication. If current contacts, URL's, or other information is required, please contact whr_mail@Victoria1.gov.bc.ca.