BC Conservation Data Centre - Spring Update 2006
In January, our four CDC web sites were moved onto the Ministry
of Environment web server. New URLs are as follows:
Conservation Data Centre: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/cdc/
Endangered Species and Ecosystems: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/atrisk/
Sensitive Ecosystems Inventory: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/sei/index.html
Big Trees: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bigtree/index.html
In February, the CDC published 2006 species rank and taxonomic
changes through BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer. Changes are
summarized in documents at http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/atrisk/changes.htm.
Remember, BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer is the current source of
official BC Scientific names, English names and Resource Inventory
Standards Committee (RISC) codes for vertebrates. Explorer assumed this
role in 2005, replacing The Vertebrates of British Columbia: Scientific
and English names.
In March an improved BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer was
launched. In response to user suggestions, we reverted back to
displaying 'Accidental' and 'Exotic' in the BC Status column of the
results page. The formats of Conservation Status and Summary reports
were modified slightly. The information contained in these reports is
updated on an ongoing basis. Please remember to check for updates to
these reports. Finally, links from Explorer's Reports and References
page to Environment Canada's national species at risk pages work better
than they did before. Linking is still a problem when Environment Canada
uses a different scientific name.
In April we modified the format of the CDC occurrence data
available for download through the Delivery Service. We integrated
occurrence references so they are no longer in a separate table, added
fields and made the field names more intuitive. CDC occurrence spatial
layers can be obtained by choosing "Launch Download Data" from
http://lrdw.ca <http://lrdw.bcgov/> .
In May, we expect to launch a new and improved CDC internet
mapping service to replace the Terrestrial Information IMS. We'll send
out another notice when the application becomes available.
Please continue to send us your thoughts and suggestions about
any of our data delivery applications. Your input is invaluable.
Sincerely,
CDC Staff