Track: Ecology, Conservation, and Archaeology
Integrating Physical Environmental Variables in GIS To Map Site Potential in Support of Ecosystem Management Objectives in West Central Idaho
Stephen P. WarrenOne of the primary barriers to effective implementation of ecosystem management across forested landscapes is the inability to apply ecological land classification systems because of the lack of ecologically based map information. One such ecological land classification system is the habitat type classification for forest types. A habitat type, the basic unit of site potential, is an integrated expression of the physical and biophysical environment. A habitat type reflects the combined effects of climate, topography, soils and other environmental values which occur along an environmental gradient of warm moist conditions to cool dry conditions. With the capabilities of ArcInfo and ARC GRID, this environmental gradient can be modeled to predict habitat type classes and map broad landscapes.
Stephen P. Warren
Boise Cascade Corporation
P.O. Box 50
Boise, ID 83728
USA
Telephone: 208-793-2480
Fax:
E-mail: steve_warren@bc.com