MAPPING ON E-FLORA BC

Golden Fleabane (Erigeron aureus), photo by Virginia Skilton

INTRODUCTION

Mapping is a significant component of E-Flora BC and helps us visualize species distributions. On E-Flora, we primarily map vouchered records of species occurrences in the province, although we do include some observation-based data. .Where available, we provide authoritative static maps that have been prepared by experts (e.g. mosses), and we also provide own interactive mapping. The interactive maps are generated by our computers when a search is requested, and are based on vouchered occurrence data obtained from several key data providers and sources, including provincial and national museums, and our own photo records database. Exceptions are mapping of records from the Alien Invasive Plant Program and the Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification program.

In the interactive maps, data is presented as colour-coded data layers, each layer representing individiual data sources. These layers can be viewed collectively or independently. The maps are interactive, so allow users to access the data behind the distribution dots (open the full-sized interactive map to do this) and to add other information layers (e.g. biogeographic information). The interactivity allows users to to explore correlations of physical features with species distributions.

They maps focus primarily on species distribution in BC and the Pacific Northwest but may also provide some coverage of other regions. Pan the interactive maps to view distribution dots in other regions.

Locations of listed species are mapped to general coordinates only.

Atlas Pages and Maps

Note that our atlas pages and associated maps often include species pages/maps even where only one sub-species or variety is known from province. These species pages are necessary in order to capture specimen records from herbaria where collections may only have been determined to the species level. Where sub-taxa are present in the province, refer to the sub-taxa pages for available distribution information.

Where to report map errors

Our maps are based on databases of specimen and observation data constructed by the Royal BC Museum (V), CAN, UBC, BEC, IAPP and others. Errors or ommissions should be reported directly to the appropriated institution so they can correct and update their databases. Contact information is provided below.

Red-flagged maps on E-Flora

Where our maps differ from currently known distribution of a species in the province, based on re-assessments conducted by Conservation Data Centre botanists and other botanists, they will be red-flagged. There is often a lag tme between reassessment of a species and incorporation of that information into the databases we use for mapping.

THE DATABASES WE USE

Information presented on our distribution maps is drawn from these databases :

• ALA: the University of Alaska Museum of the North Herbarium (specimen-based database) (2010 version from ARCTOS);
• ALTA: the Devonian Botanical Garden Cryptogam Collection (bryophytes) (specimen-based database) (2005 version);
• BEC: the Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification species plot survey plot database. (Mostly observation-based database. 10% is specimen-based. Distributional records should be checked with other sources.) (2010 version);
• CAN: the National Herbarium of Canada, Canadian Museum of Nature (specimen-based database) (2010 version from GBIF);
• CDC: the Conservation Data Centre (Non-sensitive Records only. Vetted records) (2010 version);
• IFBC: the Illustrated Flora of BC records (Douglas et al. 1998-2002) (Vetted records) (2002--no updates available);
• IAPP: the Invasive Alien Plant Program (observation-based database). Distributional records should be checked with other sources. (2010 version);
• PWN: Consortium of Pacific Northwest Herbaria specimen data (specimen-based database). (2010 version from PNWHerbaria.org);
• V (RBCM): the Royal BC Museum (specimen-based database) (2004 version);
• UBC: the UBC Herbarium (specimen-based databases) (2009 versions)
• the E-Flora photo record database

Metadata for the databases

UBC (UBC Herbarium Database)

The UBC Herbarium has provided us with BC records for vascular and nonvascular plants that have been entered into their databases with latitudes and longitudes. This represents ~30,000 records. The collections are continuously being computerized with the lichen and fungal collections complete, algae 80% entered, and vascular and bryophyte collections data entry roughly 60% complete. The UBC herbarium databases were used in development of our interactive maps.  The complete UBC Herbarium plant databases, with nearly 450,000 records, are available on-line. Please send comments and corrections directly to the UBC herbarium ubc.herbarium@ubc.ca.

IFBC (Illustrated Flora of BC Database)

Metadata for the Illustrated Flora of BC (IFBC) database can be found here. Some of the records are based on field notes, published floras and drawn maps.  Therefore, not all records will have an associated herbarium collection. Also, it is impossible to determine which herbarium record corresponds with a specific IFBC dot on the map, given the nature of the data. Number of records: 102,573.  Illustrated Flora of BC data may also be viewed in hard copy via the 8-volume set by Douglas et al. 1998-2002. 

BCCDC (British Columbia Conservation Database)

Records from the BCCDC are from the Non-sensitive Occurrences database. These records are individual, verified occurrences for species mapped by the BC Conservation Data Centre. Information on the content of this database can be found here. Please send comments and corrections related to either database to Jenifer Penny.

BEC (Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification Database

The provincial Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification (BEC) database, representing over 727,000 observation records in the province, and used in the development of the BC provincial BEC maps, was used in the creation of both our static maps and our interactive maps, BEC data is presented on approximately 2230 of the E-Flora vascular and nonvascular plant atlas pages (not all BC species fall within BEC survey plots).  Only < 10% of the records within this database are represented by collections maintained in a herbarium. Additional information on the BEC database is provided here.  BEC is an hierarchical system that uses climate, soil and characteristic vegetation to group ecosystems at various levels, including regionally, locally and chronologically. BEC data was used to generate our ecology information tables for each species, where available.
Please send comments and corrections to Will MacKenzie.

CAN (The National Herbarium of Canada Vascular Plant Database)

The National Herbarium of Canada, Canadian Museum of Nature, has provided us with all of their BC records for vascular plants contained in their database as of October 2003. This represents 9,521 collections, and includes all species, and collectors names.  This database is used in both our static maps and our interactive maps.
Please send comments and corrections directly to Jennifer Doubt.

ALTA (Devonian Botanical Garden Bryophyte Database)

The Devonian Botanical Garden has provided the BC portion of their bryophyte database to E-Flora BC. This represents specimen and locational information that is discrete from the UBC bryophyte holdings. Please send comments and corrections to Rene Belland.

IAPP (BC Ministry of Forests and Range Invasive Alien Plant Program database)

This observation-based database adds considerably to the known distribution of more than 130 invasive species in the province, and appears on our maps as an additional data layer labelled as the Invasive Alien Plant Program. Information on the database can be found here, and instructions on how to obtain direct access to their database is provided here. Please send comments and corrections to Val Miller.

V (RBCM) (Royal British Columbia Museum Herbarium Database)

The RBCM (V) vascular and nonvascular plant records used in E-Flora represent only about 50% of the collections contained within that herbarium--that is, only those collections that have been entered in their vascular plant database as of 2004.  Because of their data policy restrictions, no Red- or Blue-listed species records are included in our copy of their database, and all information associated with the collector has also been removed.  The total number of records provided to us is 53,723.  Please send comments and corrections directly to John Pindermoss.

ALA (University of Alaska Herbarium Database)

Vascular and nonvascular plant records for southern Alaska were provided to E-Flora BC. Information on the Herbarium can be found here. Please send comments and corrections directly to E-Flora BC

PNW (Pacific Northwest Herbaria Database)

Vascular and nonvascular plant records for British Columbia were obtained from: Oregon State University Herbarium, University of Idaho Stillinger Herbarium, University of Washington Herbarium (Accessed through PNW Herbaria Portal, www.pnwherbaria.org, 2010-08-24).

Note that we have separately mapped RBCM collection records by Adolf Ceska from this database as his records represents a substantial number of records for BC. These are mapped in their own data layer in the interactive maps. Contact Adolf Ceska directly with questions and comments.

Other

British Columbia plant species codes and selected attributes. Version 6 Database.

These species code files contain the presently accepted scientific and common names for vascular plants, mosses and lichens of British Columbia. The liverworts and hornworts included on this list are derived from the North American lists, as a B.C. list does not exist. Species attributes include lifeform, toxicity, weed status, wetland indicator value, rare (red or blue list) ranking, and whether native or exotic. As the Illustrated Flora of British Columbia is now complete (a total of 8 volumes), this list will only be updated when required (every 1- 2 years). Additional details, and the complete species list, can be found on the BEC web site. The citation for this data is: Meidinger, Del; Lee, Tina; Douglas, George W.; Britton, Greg; MacKenzie, Will.; Qian, Hong. 2009. British Columbia plant species codes and selected attributes. Version 6 Database. Research Branch. B.C. Ministry of Forests.

MAP LIMITATIONS

The databases we use vary in completeness, and sometimes have inherent errors and limitations built in--as is the case with almost all botanical databases. However, these influence the accuracy of the distribution that is visualized on our maps. Here are some considerations to think about when using the maps:

1) The default on our interactive maps is set to automatically display 'all' data derived from all databases available to us. For the most accurate information, turn off the observation-based database, and view only the specimen-based information.

Note that we map photo records on E-Flora BC. Photo records are not a substitute for speciment vouchering, so cannot be used to confirm additions to the BC flora, or range exapansions. However, they do provide observations that can be followed up for confirmation by experts.

2) Distribution dots are sometimes in the wrong spots usually as a result of transposition errors during data entry by the data providers. Keep this in mind when using the maps.

3) Sometimes identification of the plant species may have been in error. This can result in odd outlier dots on the maps that are outside a species' range.

4) Distribution maps for 'species' in E-Flora BC may include records that actually represent subspecies and varieties. This happens when the specimens or observations provided by the data provider were not identified to the subspecies or variety level, or when changes to nomenclature recognizes new subspecies and varieties. At the subspecies and variety level, this can mean that our maps may under-represent actual range for a subspecies or variety. Use the label data to help sort out accuracy of location information.

BLANK DISTRIBUTION MAPS?

Blank distribution maps may occur periodically in E-Flora for one of five reasons.

• 1) We may not yet have distribution data for the species, subspecies or variety from any data provider. Sometimes this is because species discovery in the province is very recent and, while the name has been added to the flora, we may not have received an updated database with associated location information.
• 2) Nomenclatural changes are constantly being made to species in the North American and BC flora. This can mean that we list a species and provide a map on E-Flora, but the databases themselves may not yet reflect name changes.
• 3) Sometimes, while we may know that a taxon is present in the province but was previously overlooked or mis-identified, the herbarium specimens in some herbaria may not yet have been corrected, and the databases provided to us may not reflect current knowledge. This means that no distribution dot will appear until the data provider updates their specimen identification and those updates are provided to us.
• 4) One common cause of missing distribution dots is lack of precise locality information. While we may know a species occurs in BC because there is a specimen, sometimes older specimens lack precise coordinates to map. Until this precise information is added to the specimen/database, the record cannot be mapped.
• 5) Sometimes our data providers have not yet entered data for a family or genus of plants in their databases. For example, the UBC Herbarium has not yet completed data entry for all plant families. This could mean that there may not be dots to map at this point.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

Becuase there are many factors that influence the E-Flora maps, this means that the E-Flora maps should serve as a guide and not as absolute representations of species distributions. They are a means of visualizing museum and other data as presented in their databases at a given moment.. The maps can only reflect the accuracy of the primary data, and the detail provided in database. Maps should be used in the context of these limitations.