GeoYukon_GY_Biophysical

Broad Ecosystem Units - West Central Region (1)

Broad Ecosystem Units were mapped using predictive modeling methods from various data sources (ranging from 1:50,000 to 1:250,000 in scale) and are referenced to the CanVec digital spatial framework (1:50,000). Broad Ecosystem Units (BEU) are a level in the Yukon bioclimate ecosystem classification system that represents areas with similar broad vegetation communities, terrain type (soils and topography) within bioclimate zones. Broad Ecosystem Units are described in the accompanying report “Regional Ecosystems of West-Central Yukon, Part 1: Ecosystem descriptions ”.The intended application for mapped broad ecosystem units is 1:100,000 or smaller (1:100,000 – 1:250,000 scale) - interpretations derived from the map products should not be applied at more detailed scales, even though the resultant 30m raster map allows users to view results at more detailed resolutions. With new information, boundaries and designations of Broad Ecosystem Units can change. Updates to Broad Ecosystem Units occur only periodically. For the most current information, or if you have questions, please contact the Ecological and Landscape Classification Program (ELC@gov.yk.ca).

Ecoregions 2014 - 1M (4)

Ecoregions of Yukon, 2014 is an update to the Yukon portion of the 1995 National Ecological Framework (NEF) described in Ecoregions of Yukon (Smith et al 2004). Because of people’s familiarity with the 1995 NEF, and its use in management and planning, these ecoregion revisions attempted to retain the 1995 divisions unless there were compelling reasons to change them. In Yukon there were several compelling reasons to revise the 1995 NEF: 1) capitalize on availability of digital inventory and knowledge and improve or adjust the 1995 mapping as necessary, 2) harmonize stratification along jurisdictional borders, 3) incorporate line work updates to the Soil Landscape polygons by Agriculture and AgriFood Canada (AAFC) happening concurrently, and 4) include Yukon revisions in a national update of NEF ecozones across Canada - led by Environment Canada (CCEA 2017). Mapping the ecoregions of Yukon is largely a top-down process and the divisional hierarchy is nested. The lowest level of the hierarchy is the Soil Landscapes of Canada unit (Soil Landscape Component, or SLC). SLCs are organized according to a uniform set of national soil and landscape criteria that are based on permanent natural attributes. SLCs polygons are not published in this release. Ecozones, ecoregions and ecodistricts are subdivisions at the continental scale of climatic zones; attention to physiography increases as map scale increases. There are many reasonable ways to distinguish Yukon ecoregions. Ecoregions are delineated principally on abiotic features, such as bedrock geology, glacial history and physiography, and so are relatively stable (i.e. enduring) over time. While considering changes to the 1995 NEF, the project team continued to recognize major physiographic and climatic distinctions. At the ecozone level the team included a stronger regional climate element and related the ecozone level to the bioclimate framework. The Ecoregions of Yukon concept is used for broad scale management applications. Its structure helps define ecologically relevant management units at various scales. The Ecoregions of the Yukon Territory (Smith et al. 2004) describes Yukon’s ecozones and ecoregions represented in the 1995 NEF (ESWG 1995). This reference continues to be a useful and relevant resource the Ecoregions of Yukon, 2014. For a fulsome treatment of the updates in the Ecoregions of Yukon, 2014 please refer to the report “Ecoregions of Yukon: Revisions to the Yukon portion of the National Ecological Framework.” (McKenna, K, J. Meikle and N. Flynn 2014).

Wetlands - 10k (6)

CryoGeographic Consulting, in association with Palmer Environmental Consulting Group Inc., provided Yukon Energy, Mines and Resources and Yukon Environment with the results of the mapping and classification of wetlands and adjacent upland habitat in the Indian River valley and its major tributaries. This report and its accompanying map set have been updated to reflect study area expansion and additional field reconnaissance completed in the summer of 2017. Interpretation of shallow water wetlands within disturbed landscapes was completed by Ducks Unlimited Canada and incorporated.Five classes of wetlands are distinguished – bogs, fens, swamps, marshes and shallow water – based on field investigations and interpretation of high-resolution aerial photography and satellite imagery.The accompanying report with full metadata can be downloaded from: http://www.emr.gov.yk.ca/mining/pdf/indian-river-wetlands-mapping-21jan2018.pdfThe subsequent accompanying maps can be downloaded from: http://www.emr.gov.yk.ca/mining/pdf/indian-river-wetlands-mapset-21jan-2018.pdf