This document summarizes Sensitive Ecosystem Inventory (SEI) mapping projects conducted in the Chain Lakes, Otter Lake, and East Gate study areas of the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen. The SEI process involves delineating sensitive ecosystem polygons from aerial photos, describing the ecosystems in a database, field verifying the mapping, and updating the maps. Sensitive ecosystems mapped included grasslands, wetlands, riparian areas, and woodlands. Rare and at-risk species associated with each ecosystem are also identified. The results found that 21-31% of each study area consisted of sensitive ecosystems that support species of conservation concern.

1. Sensitive Ecosystem
Inventory (SEI)
Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen
August 19, 2009
Maureen V. Ketcheson R.P.Bio.
Ecology Manager, Victoria Branch
Dave Caswell R.P.Bio
Project Manager, Kamloops Branch
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2. Outline
Introduction
Project Objectives
Background - Sensitive
Ecosystem Inventory
SEI Mapping Process
Results
2

3. Dave Caswell, RPBio Maureen V. Ketcheson,
Ecology Mgr, Kamloops RPBio – Ecology Mgr,
Branch. Victoria
Born and raised in Merritt Born and raised in Regina,
Sheldon Williams Collegiate
Educated at University College of
the Cariboo Educated at U of R, U of Vic, and
Lakehead U
B.Sc Biology (wildlife) 1995
B.Sc Biology (botany) M.Sc.
Wildlife consultant since 1995
Quantitative Ecology
Wildlife generalist (songbirds,
BC Ministry of Forest Regional
mule deer)
Ecologist, Nelson BC 1981-84
Joined Timberline in Dec, 2007 –
Consultant in eco mapping since
Ecology Department Manager
1984
Ecology Manager for Timberline
Victoria since 2005
Specializing in TEM (terrestrial
ecosystem mapping) and PEM
(predictive ecosystem mapping) in
BC
Certified trainer in TEM and a
“senior” PEM practitioner
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4. Project Objectives
To provide baseline mapping information to
support land use planning for parts of Electoral
Area H
The mapping will identify ecosystems which are:
sensitive / rare / fragile.
Identify the plant and wildlife Species at Risk
associated with these ecosystems.
Support management / best practices
recommendations for these ecosystems and
their associated SAR.
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5. Background
Sensitive Ecosystems Inventory (SEI)
Provides spatial and data base information to land managers
Forms a backdrop to assist in the conservation and
protection of sensitive and important ecosystems
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6. Planning
Tools
Rare ecosystem Heli ski proposal 2
Class 1 grizzly
Spring range
Sensitive ecosystem complex
Heli-ski proposal 1
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7. Planning
Tools
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8. Sensitive Ecosystems –
Biologically Diverse
Grasslands conservation council
www.env.gov.bc.ca/sei/images/ri.jpg
Sensitive Ecosystems are defined as;
“Those remaining natural terrestrial ecosystems which are considered fragile or rare in the SEI
study area: wetlands, riparian, old forest, grassland, broadleaf woodland, coniferous
woodlands, sagebrush steppe, antelope brush steppe, alpine and sparsely vegetated
ecosystems” (Environment Canada 2008)
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9. Sensitive Ecosystems –
Biologically Diverse
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10. Sensitive Ecosystems – Community Identity
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11. Princeton SEI Project Area Location and
Existing SEI Mapping in the Okanagan
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12. Bio-Geo-Climatic Ecosystem Classification
system (BEC) :
BEC divides the landscape into areas of uniform “meso-
climates” which have similar potential to support the same
spatial combinations of ecosystems in similar combinations of
terrain and site.
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13. Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem
Classification Overview
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14. The SEI Mapping Process
A working map legend of the
potential Sensitive Ecosystems
Air photo and ortho-photo
images are obtained and study
area boundaries applied
BEC boundaries delineated
SEI polygons delineated
Red and blue listed site series
polygons delineated
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15. The SEI Mapping Process
Each polygon is described in a
standard data base
Field sampling plan is
prepared to visit a percentage
of polygons to verify and
correct photo interpretation
Mapping is updated
Final reports and data bases
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16. Step one: Working Legend
SEI Code SEI Class Description
Ecosystems dominated by Trembling aspen occurring in depressions and moist
BW Broadleaved woodlands areas
FS Seasonally flooded fields
GR Grasslands
A mix of seral and climax tree species generally greater than 80 years old
MF Mature forests
Climax trees generally greater than 140 years old
OF Old forests
Treed or shrubby ecosystems associated with pond and lake shorelines, swamps,
RI Riparian floodplains or gullies with intermittent or permanent creeks
Ecosystems with little vegetation occurring on bedrock or colluvial features
SV Sparsely vegetated
Open stands of Douglas-fir or Ponderosa pine, often on shallow soils with grassy
WD Coniferous woodlands understories, old woodlands are part of the Old Forest category
Ecosystems where the water table is at or near the surface.
WN Wetlands
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17. Step two: study area and BEC
boundaries
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18. Step three: delineate SEI, red
and blue-listed ecosystems
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19. Rare ecosystems have been identified by
the Conservation Data Center
Red-listed ecosystems are defined as the ecological
communities considered provincially rare, regardless
of present day seral status
Blue-listed plant communities considered provincially
vulnerable, focus is often on mature and old seral
stages
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20. Rare and Endangered Species
COSEWIC – The Committee on the Status
of Endangered Wildlife in Canada
Endangered, Threatened, Special Concern
BC Conservation Data Center: Ecosystem
Explorer Website:
http://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/eswp
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21. Chain Lakes example SEI
polygons
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22. Step four: Field Sampling
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23. Step five: Update Maps
Update maps with
information collected
in the field.
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24. Results - Sensitive Ecosystems in
the Chain Lakes Study Area
21% of the total study area composed of sensitive
ecosystems.
Grasshopper
Yellow-bellied racer
Grasslands Sparrow (Red)
(SC,Red)
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25. Results - Sensitive Ecosystems
in the Chain Lakes Study Area
Seasonally Flooded Fields
Great-basin Spadefoot (T,Blue)
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26. Results - Sensitive Ecosystems
in the Chain Lakes Study Area
Painted Turtle (SC)
American
Wetland Avocet (Red)
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27. Otter Lake
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28. Results - Sensitive Ecosystems in
the Otter Lake Study Area
28% of the total study area
composed of sensitive
ecosystems.
Riparian ff Olive-sided Flycatcher
(T,Blue)
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29. Results - Sensitive Ecosystems
in the Otter Lake Study Area
Broadleaf Woodlands
Williamson’s Sapsucker
(E, Red)
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30. Results - Sensitive Ecosystems
in the Otter Lake Study Area
Coniferous Woodlands
Northern Alligator Lizard
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31. Results - Sensitive Ecosystems
in the Otter Lake Study Area
Mature Forest
Flammulated Owl
(SC, Blue)
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32. East Gate
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33. Results - Sensitive Ecosystems in
the East Gate Study Area
31% of the total study area
composed of sensitive
ecosystems.
Coniferous Woodlands
Lewis’s Woodpecker Gopher Snake (T, Blue)
(SC,Red)
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34. Results - Sensitive Ecosystems
in the East Gate Study Area
Steep Grasslands Badger (E,Red)
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35. Results - Sensitive Ecosystems
in the East Gate Study Area
Riparian River
Townsend's Big-eared Bat (Blue)
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36. Results - Sensitive Ecosystems in
the East Gate Study Area
Riparian Floodplain
Western Screech-Owl (E,Red)
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37. Results - Sensitive Ecosystems
in the East Gate Study Area
Townsend's Big-eared Rubber Boa (SC)
Bat (Blue)
Sparsely Vegetated
Rock
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38. What about the Plants?
a.
c.
PRIZES!!! b.
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39. What about the Bugs?
MORE PRIZES!!!
c.
a.
b.
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40. Questions?
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41. SEI Map Label Interpretation
Each polygon can have up to three SEI
subclasses or up to three red or blue listed
site series described in the data base
The proportional distribution of each is
described by a number between 1 and 10
as a “decile” distribution of that ecosystem
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42. Map Label example
6 RI:ff 4 WN:wm =
60% Riparian : fluvial fringe
40% Wetlands : wet meadow
10 BW:ac =
100% Broadleaved woodlands : Aspen copse
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43. Rare Ecosystems Potentially Mapped
in the Princeton SEI Area
BEC variant BEC Site Map Code Status
Series
IDFdk2 02, 03 DW, DP blue
IDFdk2 07 RT red
IDFxh1 03, 01, 04, 05 DW,DP, DP,PF blue
IDFxh1 00, 06, 07,08 SD,DF,DS,SD red
IDFxh1a 94, 98 SF,AS red
ESSFdc2 04, 07, 03 FG,FV, LF blue
MSdm2 06, 07 SD, SH blue
IDFdk1, IDFdk2b, none
MSmw1, MSxk1,
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