Ecological mapping: A framework for delimiting forest management units.

Area of Science:

• Ecological mapping
• Environmental planning
• Forest management

Background:

• Ecological mapping objectively represents landscape structure and organization.
• It provides an ecological basis for environmental planning.
• Nested levels of resolution are offered through regionalization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize essential principles of ecological mapping.
• To propose a methodological mapping approach for forest management.
• To determine significant land portions using a 1:50,000 scale ecological map.

Main Methods:

• Application of ecological mapping principles by the Quebec Ministry of Environment and Wildlife.
• Development of a methodological approach for forest management.
• Utilizing a 1:50,000 scale ecological map with nested levels: topographic complex and topographic entity.

Main Results:

• The 1:50,000 scale ecological map effectively identifies significant land portions for forest management.
• Two nested levels of perception (topographic complex and entity) are expressed.
• Topographic entities can be subdivided into working units for operational forest management.

Conclusions:

• Ecological mapping at 1:50,000 scale is a reliable tool for forest management planning.
• Major ecological variations are generally mappable at this scale.
• A degree of generalization is necessary when planning at this scale compared to larger scales.