Maps

Interactive maps that allow you to view layers of data from a variety of sources are the heart of the Biodiversity Atlas. You can customize your map-based search and learn more about specific habitats and species.

Learn how to get the most out of the maps and increase your knowledge about biodiversity in the East Kootenay.

Take some time now to view the maps or take the tutorial and learn how to get the most out of the maps and increase your knowledge about biodiversity in the East Kootenay.

• Biodiversity Atlas Interactive Maps
• Learning To Use Web-based GIS Interactive Maps
  
• About the Maps
  
• Datasets
  
• Disclaimer
  

The goal of the Biodiversity Atlas is to provide information critical to making good conservation-planning decisions.

The Biodiversity Atlas may one day include data for the entire Columbia River Basin drainage in both Canada and the United States. For now, the Biodiversity Atlas has been developed on a pilot basis for approximately one-third of the Canadian portion of the Columbia River Basin in south-eastern British Columbia This area, known as the East Kootenay region is approximately 3.3 million hectares.

Learning To Use Web-based GIS Interactive Maps

If you are new to using a Geographic Information System [GIS] or web-based interactive maps, you might want to take a few minutes to learn about this cutting-edge technology.

The following link will take you to a tutorial on the Interactive Map Format [IMF] Interface that is used for presenting the Biodiversity Atlas interactive maps. Spend a few minutes orienting yourself to concepts such as Layers, Themes, and the Toolbar so that you can make the most of your Biodiversity Atlas map browsing.

Take the IMF Interactive Map Tutorial

About the Maps

The map interface features a series of tabs (About, Layers, Legend, Themes, Refresh Map, Find Location, Disclaimer) and a series of toolbars.



The Themes Tab provides links to ready-made maps which highlight map data layers most relevant to the theme selected. For instance, clicking on the Conservation Properties theme will result in a map showing all the conservation properties in the East Kootenay region. Several themes require specific resolutions for viewing. For example if you chose the Ecosystem - Classification theme the Biogeoclimatic zones are not visible until viewed at a resolution of less than 1:100,000.

Current GIS Interactive Map Themes

Use the links below to view specific themes or layers within the Biodiversity Atlas area.

• Conservation: National and Provincial Parks, Wildlife Management Areas, and Ecological Reserves
  
• Conservation - Properties: Land acquired for species and ecosystem conservation
  
• Ecosystem - Classification: Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification and Ecosection Classification
  
• Ecosystem - Deciduous Forest: FWCP's deciduous forest inventory data
  
• Ecosystem - Restoration: Fire Maintained Ecosystem Restoration (FMER) plans and treatments
  
• Ecosystem - Grasslands: GCC's grassland data
  
• Ecosystem - Wetlands: Wetland data from TRIM
  
• Management: Management data such as Landscape Units and Forest District Boundaries
  
• Species - Badgers: Badger data
  
• Species - Bighorn Sheep: Bighorn Sheep data
  
• Species - Chipmunks: Data for Least Chipmunk, Yellow-pine Chipmunk and Red-tailed Chipmunk
  
• Species - Elk: Elk data
  
• Species - Lewis' Woodpeckers: Lewis' Woodpecker data
  
• Species - Ungulate: Data for species such as mule deer, white-tailed deer, moose, elk, sheep, and goat
  
• Species - Other: Data for other species
  

Hosting and technical support for this database is provided by the British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture and Lands.

Datasets

You can also access data sets used in the development of the Biodiversity Atlas. Some datasets are available for download from our ftp site ftp://nelftp.env.gov.bc.ca/pub/outgoing/cbfwcp/

Within the East Kootenay area, many regional datasets developed by the British Columbia government have been brought together for this project. Most of these datasets are at scale 1:250,000. They include:

• Baseline Thematic Mapping
• Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classes
• Broad Ecosystem Inventory
• Ecoregions
• Ungulate Winter Range
• 1:250,000 Base Mapping

Disclaimer

Users of this consolidated material are advised that it has been prepared for use as a ready reference and has no legal force or effect. BC Hydro does not accept any liability of any kind arising out of any use of the materials by any third party. Third parties using or relying on any of the material do so at their own risk and should confirm information from the applicable authorities.

These maps are not intended for navigation purposes.

These maps may be generalized and may not reflect current conditions.

These maps should not be used as the basis for legal decision making.

Some data may be shown at smaller scales in order to ensure, for example, the protection of nest or den sites from possible harrassment or the direct persecution of individual species.

The Conservation Data Center database contains some records which are sensitive for ecological, academic or other reasons. Such records fall under the exemption provisions of the Fredom of Information and Protection fo Privacy Act.