Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification in the Kootenay Lake Forest District
The Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification system is used in British Columbia to classify forests according to their biological, geological, and climatic characteristics.
BEC zones are labelled according to the climax tree species which occur there, for example, Interior Cedar Hemlock (ICH) and Engelmann Spruce – Subalpine Fir (ESSF).
These zones are further divided into subzones, variants, and site series. This map shows BEC subzones and variants for the Kootenay Lake Forest District. A brief description of each is provided below:
MSdk (Dry cool montane spruce subzone):
Dry climatic region, cold winters with light snowfall. Climax stands contain spruce and subalpine fir with small amounts of Douglas-fir. Stands of lodgepole pine are common. Natural disturbance type 3 (ecosystems with frequent stand-initiating events).
ICHxw (very dry warm interior cedar-hemlock subzone):
Moist climatic region, very hot and dry summers with mild winters and very light snowfall. Climax stands typically contain Douglas-fir and ponderosa pine, with sporadic regeneration of cedar, hemlock, and grand fir. Most ICHxw occurs in the Creston valley area. Natural disturbance type 4 (ecosystems with frequent stand-maintaining fires).
ICHdw (dry warm interior cedar-hemlock subzone):
Moist climatic region, hot summers with mild winters and light snowfall. Tree species diversity is extremely high, with climax stands typically containing cedar, hemlock, Douglas-fir, paper birch, western larch, and/or ponderosa pine. Most settlement has occurred within this subzone, which encompasses a number of major valley bottom areas.
ICHmw2 (Columbia-Shuswap moist warm interior cedar-hemlock subzone):
Moist climatic region, hot and moist summers with mild winters and light snowfall. Climax stands typically have western hemlock and western red cedar. This is the most common subzone in the Kootenay Lake Forest District. The ICHmw2 is particularly prevalent in the lower elevations of the Lardeau Valley. Natural disturbance type 2 (ecosystems with infrequent stand-initiating events).
ICHwk1 (Wells Gray wet cool interior cedar-hemlock subzone):
Wet climatic region, warm and wet summers with cool winters and moderate snowfall. Climax stands are typically western hemlock and western red cedar. This subzone occurs primarily in the upper Duncan River area. Natural disturbance type 1 (ecosystems with rare stand-initiating events).
ESSF wc4 (Selkirk wet cold Engelmann spruce – subalpine fir variant):
Moist climatic region, higher elevations of the Selkirk Mountains south of Revelstoke and west of Kootenay Lake Considerable snowfall, short growing season. Climax stands are typically subalpine "balsam" fir and Engelmann spruce. Natural disturbance type varies depending on location, either NDT 1 (ecosystems with rare stand-initiating events) or NDT 2 (ecosystems with infrequent stand-initiating events).
ESSFwm (wet mild Engelmann spruce – subalpine fir subzone):
Moist climatic region, higher elevations of the western Purcell Mountains, winters generally less severe than ESSFwc4, but short growing season. Climax stands are typically subalpine fir and Engelmann spruce. Natural disturbance type varies depending on location, either NDT 1 (ecosystems with rare stand-initiating events) or NDT 2 (ecosystems with infrequent stand-initiating events).
AT (Alpine Tundra):
High elevation sites with relatively few trees. Severe limitations to plant growth, and an extremely short growing season. Tree species which are adapted to the AT include Engelmann spruce, subalpine fir, alpine larch, and whitebark pine. Often contains excellent opportunities for outdoor recreation, year-round. Natural disturbance type 5 (alpine/subalpine ecosystems, various disturbance agents with slow recovery).