TEM_50K contains Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping (TEM) polygons with key and amalgamated (concatenated) attributes derived from the RISC (Resource Inventory Standards Committee) standard attributes completed at a scale of 1:50,000 or smaller (i.e. 1:100,000). TEM divides the landscape into units according to a variety of ecological features including climate, physiography, surficial material, bedrock geology, soils and vegetation. TEM methods include manual air photo interpretation supported by selective field checking. This layer is derived from the STE_TEI_ATTRIBUTE_POLYS_SP layer by filtering on the PROJECT_TYPE and PROJECT_MAP_SCALE attributes. By accessing this dataset you agree to the Province's license available for review at: http://pub.data.gov.bc.ca/license/OGL-vbc1.0.pdf
TEM is the stratification of a landscape into map units, according to a combination of features, primarily climate, physiography surficial material, bedrock geology, soil, and vegetation. TEM provides: a biological and ecological framework for land management; a means of integrating abiotic and biotic ecosystem components on one map; basic information on the distribution of ecosystems and landforms from which management interpretations (e.g., broad-scale landscape planning, site-specific interpretations) can be developed; a basis for rating values of resources or indicating sensitivities in the landscape; a historic record of ecological site conditions that can be used as a framework for monitoring ecosystem response to management; and a demonstration tool for portraying ecosystem and landscape diversity as well as enduring landforms. This dataset should be used and interpreted in consultation with a qualified ecosystem and/or terrain mapper.
