Mapping Species Distributions

METADATA FOR THE BCCDC DATA

Prepared by the British columbia conservation data centre (BCCDC)

BC Vascular Plant Distribution Shapefile Metadata

Published: Douglas, G.W., D. Meidinger, and J. Pojar. 2002. Illustrated flora of British Columbia. Volume 8. General summary, maps and keys. Min. of Sustain. Resource Manage. And Min. of Forests. Victoria, B.C. 457 p.

Description: This file includes point representation of many collection sites for 2871 vascular plant taxa in British Columbia. Not all herbaria were checked; therefore not all plant collection sites are included. The exception is rare native vascular plants, for which virtually all known collections were mapped. This file does not include tree species. A number of species, with two or more subspecies or varieties have been combined (sens. lat.). These data are intended to illustrate the general area of the province with known records for the species, so that it supplements the identification keys of the Illustrated Flora. It is not intended as a definitive distribution map.

Source: This file was created from a variety of information sources, including field notes, published floras, drawn maps, and museum herbarium sheets.

Accuracy: passed quality control check on 10% of the records

Resolution: Variable, from 100 metres to 100 kilometres; more generalized for widespread species, whereas rare species (red or blue listed) are mapped as precisely as possible from the data record with the specimen.

Production date: May 2002