Ecological and landscape classification

Ecological and Landscape Classification (ELC) is how we identify and precisely describe landscape patterns into ecosystem units based on similar climate, landscape, vegetation and soil conditions. The goal is to provide a common ecological language and framework to help classify ecosystem units and support land and resource management decisions.

The Yukon’s ELC and mapping program

The Yukon’s ELC and mapping program has as long history in the Yukon with initial efforts by the Canadian Forest Service dating back to the 1970s. Our program has evolved many times over the years and will continue to change as practices and technologies grow. The departments of Environment and Energy Mines and Resources direct the development frameworks and standards, and support multiple disciplines for many uses including:

• agriculture;
• climate change;
• cumulative effects monitoring;
• environmental assessment;
• environmental monitoring;
• forestry;
• mine project development;
• reclamation;
• regional and local planning; and
• sensitive ecosystems.

The Yukon’s ELC program uses two hierarchical ecological frameworks that guide ecosystem classification and mapping in the Yukon:

Yukon Biophysical Ecosystem Classification

The Yukon Biophysical Ecosystem Classification (YBEC) uses similar concepts to the Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification System of British Columbia. YBEC has climate and site-level classification, but considers climate to be the primary influence on ecosystem development and distribution. YBEC provides detailed site-level ecological mapping and interpretation. Efforts to develop detailed site-level units are ongoing in the Yukon.

National Ecological Framework

The National Ecological Framework (NEF) identifies and describes the biophysical properties of large land units based on ecological similarity. The NEF subdivides Canada into ecologically similar areas, based on the integration of climate, physiography, landform and vegetation. This framework is a well-developed and supports many Yukon land and resource management activities.

Ecoregions of the Yukon Territory provides generalized regional biophysical information about the landscapes of the Yukon.

Data

• Ecoregions of Yukon

Publications

• Ecosystems of the Yukon Arctic Region: A Guide to Identification (2022)
• Klondike Plateau Boreal Low Subzone (BOLkp): A field guide to ecosite identification (2019)
• Field Manual for Describing Yukon Ecosystems (2017)
• Southern Lakes Boreal Low Subzone (BOLsl): A field guide to ecosite identification (2017)
• Vegetation association documentation (2017)
  • Aspen-dominated Associations
  • Pine-dominated Associations
• Yukon Ecological and Landscape Classification and Mapping Guidelines Version 1.0 (2016)
• Yukon Ecological and Lands Classification Program: Five-year strategic plan (2013)
• Regional ecosystems of west-central Yukon, part 1: Ecosystem descriptions (2012)
• Regional ecosystems of west-central Yukon, part 2: Methods, input data assessment and results (2012)
• Bioclimate, ecodistrict and ecologically significant features mapping for the Dawson Planning Region, Yukon (2008)
• Ecosystems of the Peel Watershed (2007)
• North Yukon Planning Region biophysical landscape classification (2005)
• Regional ecosystem classification and mapping of the Yukon Southern Lakes and Pelly Mountain ecoregions (2003)
• Ecoregions of the Yukon Territory (2004)