BC Ecological Proxy

The ecological proxy map is created from nine different data layers. The map layer is aimed at representing the ‘coarse filter’ or ‘special’ ecological values, with a focus on those that may be particularly important in terms of climate change adaptation. To that end, the map includes a diversity of types of information including representing terrestrial ecosystems (older forests, grasslands), hydrologic / aquatic habitats and linkages (rivers / lakes / wetlands), mapped ‘very rich’ areas (Important Bird Areas, estuaries), and locations of rare ecosystems and species (in an attempt to reflect ‘at risk’ genetic diversity in the province). This is not a biodiversity, or 'hot-spots' map, and it is not intended to identify specific areas for conservation actions. On its own, the theme is useful to understand where there are more or fewer of the values that may reflect broad ecological values, and in particular may be useful when considering core habitat and also resilience to external stressors. Please refer to both the full report and technical methods appendix for detailed descriptions, methods and limitations of use for this layer.