Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping
Industry: Mining
Location: Elk Valley and West Kootenays, BC
Date: 2014 to present
Description: Terrestrial ecosystem mapping (TEM) is a tool used to stratify a landscape into map polygons based on ecological features such as climate, vegetation, physiography, surficial material, bedrock geology and soil. KES has worked with industry partners to create terrestrial ecosystem maps which will provide information concerning the ecosystems present within the local study area. The data gathered during the TEM field surveys also provides valuable information regarding the presence of rare and invasive plant species. TEM outputs may be used for multiple applications, some of which include:
Sensitive ecosystem identification to guide mine construction,
Rare plant habitat modelling,Wildlife habitat modelling, and
Pre-disturbance ecosystem mapping to guide reclamation practices.
