Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification in the Kootenay Lake Forest District
New Version (2005)
The Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification (BEC) system is used in British Columbia to classify forests based on 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 new BEC subzones and variants for the Kootenay Lake Forest District. Work is still underway to produce field guides and management standards for these.
At this time, landscape unit requirements for old growth and other values are still based on the old BEC mapping.