Description: The Pacific Marine Ecological Classification System (PMECS) was developed in 2016 to help categorize species, habitats, and ecosystems into ecological classes at varying spatial scales in Canada’s Pacific Region to support Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) activities and Marine Protected Area (MPA) network development (Rubidge et al. 2016). Geomorphic units are one level of the hierarchical PMECS that is suitable for informing ecosystem-based management decisions. At the scale of 100s of km, geomorphic units are areas with similar benthic features that are often associated with distinct biota. Spatial data developed to populate the PMECS geomorphic units focused on the Northern Shelf Bioregion and the continental slope portion of the Southern Shelf Bioregion. In 2022, geomorphic units were produced for the Strait of Georgia and Southern Shelf Bioregions (Proudfoot and Robb, 2022). The results from the PMECS geomorphic units (Rubidge et al. 2016) and the Strait of Georgia and Southern Shelf Bioregion geomorphic units (Proudfoot and Robb, 2022) were combined to produce this dataset to produce a continuous map of geomorphic units for British Columbia. Uncertainty: Although geomorphic units are assumed to have distinctive species assemblages, future work is required to characterize any biological correlations. ReferencesDFO. 2016. Evaluation of Hierarchical Marine Ecological Classification Systems for Pacific and Maritimes Regions. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2016/003.Greene, H.G., O'Connell, V., Brylinsky, C.K., and Reynolds, J.R. 2008. Marine Benthic Habitat Classification: What’s Best for Alaska? In: Marine Habitat Mapping Technology for Alaska. Edited by J.R. Reynolds and H.G. Greene. Alaska Sea Grant College Program, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, Alaska. pp. 169-184.Proudfoot, B. and Robb, C. 2022. Geomorphic units in the Strait of Georgia and Southern Shelf bioregions. Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 3459: ix + 23p.Rubidge, E., Gale, K.S.P., Curtis, J.M.R., McClelland, E., Feyrer, L., Bodtker, K., and Robb, C. 2016. Methodology of the Pacific Marine Ecological Classification System and its application to the Northern and Southern Shelf Bioregions. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2016/035: xi + 124 p.
Service Item Id: 5ad7ef9116ce4fd98dfba34cca1496e7
Copyright Text: Proudfoot, B. and Robb, C. 2022. Geomorphic units in the Strait of Georgia and Southern Shelf bioregions. Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 3459: ix + 23 p.
Rubidge, E., Gale, K.S.P., Curtis, J.M.R., McClelland, E., Feyrer, L., Bodtker, K., and Robb, C. 2016. Methodology of the Pacific Marine Ecological Classification System and its application to the Northern and Southern Shelf Bioregions. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2016/035: xi + 124 p.
DFO Science, Pacific Region
Description: Under the Pacific Marine Ecological Classification System (PMECS; DFO 2016; Rubidge et al. 2016), biophysical units are areas of distinct physiographic and oceanographic conditions and processes that shape species composition at spatial extents of 1000s of km. Rubidge et al. (2016) used a two-step process to identify biophysical units in British Columbia. First, a cluster analysis based on the similarity of species composition was used to group sites with similar species into distinct biological assemblages. Second, a random forest analysis was used to identify environmental correlates of the biological assemblages identified by the cluster analysis and to predict and assign the biological assemblage present in areas with too few biological data. Indicator species for each assemblage (biophysical unit) were also identified. This layer shows the output of species assemblage cluster analysis. Full methods are available in Rubidge et al. 2016. ReferencesDFO. 2016. Evaluation of Hierarchical Marine Ecological Classification Systems for Pacific and Maritimes Regions. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2016/003.Rubidge, E., Gale, K.S.P., Curtis, J.M.R., McClelland, E., Feyrer, L., Bodtker, K., and Robb, C. 2016. Methodology of the Pacific Marine Ecological Classification System and its application to the Northern and Southern Shelf Bioregions. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2016/035: xi + 124 p.
Service Item Id: 5ad7ef9116ce4fd98dfba34cca1496e7
Copyright Text: Rubidge, E., Gale, K.S.P., Curtis, J.M.R., McClelland, E., Feyrer, L., Bodtker, K., and Robb, C. 2016. Methodology of the Pacific Marine Ecological Classification System and its application to the Northern and Southern Shelf Bioregions. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2016/035: xi + 124 p.
DFO Science, Pacific Region
Description: Under the Pacific Marine Ecological Classification System (PMECS; DFO 2016; Rubidge et al. 2016), biophysical units are areas of distinct physiographic and oceanographic conditions and processes that shape species composition at spatial extents of 1000s of km. Rubidge et al. (2016) used a two-step process to identify biophysical units in British Columbia. First, a cluster analysis based on the similarity of species composition was used to group sites with similar species into distinct biological assemblages. Second, a random forest analysis was used to identify environmental correlates of the biological assemblages identified by the cluster analysis and to predict and assign the biological assemblage present in areas with too few biological data. Indicator species for each assemblage (biophysical unit) were also identified. This layer shows the output of species assemblage cluster analysis. Full methods are available in Rubidge et al. 2016. ReferencesDFO. 2016. Evaluation of Hierarchical Marine Ecological Classification Systems for Pacific and Maritimes Regions. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2016/003.Rubidge, E., Gale, K.S.P., Curtis, J.M.R., McClelland, E., Feyrer, L., Bodtker, K., and Robb, C. 2016. Methodology of the Pacific Marine Ecological Classification System and its application to the Northern and Southern Shelf Bioregions. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2016/035: xi + 124 p.
Service Item Id: 5ad7ef9116ce4fd98dfba34cca1496e7
Copyright Text: Rubidge, E., Gale, K.S.P., Curtis, J.M.R., McClelland, E., Feyrer, L., Bodtker, K., and Robb, C. 2016. Methodology of the Pacific Marine Ecological Classification System and its application to the Northern and Southern Shelf Bioregions. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2016/035: xi + 124 p.
DFO Science, Pacific Region
Description: Biophysical units represent distinct physiographic and oceanographic conditions/processes, including bathymetry, related to biotic composition if data are available or evidence in the literature.Rubidge et al (2016) determined biophysical units using species composition cluster analysis and multivariate analysis of environmental data.Under the Pacific Marine Ecological Classification System (PMECS; DFO 2016; Rubidge et al. 2016), biophysical units are areas of distinct physiographic and oceanographic conditions and processes that shape species composition at spatial extents of 1000s of km. Rubidge et al. (2016) used a two-step process to identify biophysical units in British Columbia. First, a cluster analysis based on the similarity of species composition was used to group sites with similar species into distinct biological assemblages. Second, a random forest analysis was used to identify environmental correlates of the biological assemblages identified by the cluster analysis and to predict and assign the biological assemblage present in areas with too few biological data. Indicator species for each assemblage (biophysical unit) were also identified.Three large-scale biophysical units were identified: shelf, slope and banks. Full methods are available in Rubidge et al. 2016.Two nearshore grid cells were removed from the published version of the biophysical units for the analyses carried out in the NSB Marine Protected Area Network planning process.Uncertainty - Although the biophysical units are presented as polygons that suggest hard spatial boundaries and a clear distinction between adjacent units, the boundaries between the units should be considered to be transition zones where the biological and environmental conditions are changing over gradients. Rubidge et al. (2016) show that uncertainty in the random forest model is highest at the boundaries between units, particularly at the southern boundary of Dogfish Bank, around the Other Banks unit, and running along the length of the boundary between the Shelf and Slope units. The model also performs poorly in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, possibly because the influences of complex local currents, and because eddies in the area are not accurately captured in the broad-scale environmental data used to predict the biophysical units.ReferencesDFO. 2016. Evaluation of Hierarchical Marine Ecological Classification Systems for Pacific and Maritimes Regions. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2016/003.Rubidge, E., Gale, K.S.P., Curtis, J.M.R., McClelland, E., Feyrer, L., Bodtker, K., and Robb, C. 2016. Methodology of the Pacific Marine Ecological Classification System and its application to the Northern and Southern Shelf Bioregions. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2016/035: xi + 124 p.
Service Item Id: 5ad7ef9116ce4fd98dfba34cca1496e7
Copyright Text: Rubidge, E., Gale, K.S.P., Curtis, J.M.R., McClelland, E., Feyrer, L., Bodtker, K., and Robb, C. 2016. Methodology of the Pacific Marine Ecological Classification System and its application to the Northern and Southern Shelf Bioregions. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2016/035: xi + 124 p.
DFO Science, Pacific Region
Description: Biophysical units represent distinct physiographic and oceanographic conditions/processes, including bathymetry, related to biotic composition if data are available or evidence in the literature. Rubidge et al (2016) determined biophysical units using species composition cluster analysis and multivariate analysis of environmental data.Under the Pacific Marine Ecological Classification System (PMECS; DFO 2016; Rubidge et al. 2016), biophysical units are areas of distinct physiographic and oceanographic conditions and processes that shape species composition at spatial extents of 1000s of km. Rubidge et al. (2016) used a two-step process to identify biophysical units in British Columbia. First, a cluster analysis based on the similarity of species composition was used to group sites with similar species into distinct biological assemblages. Second, a random forest analysis was used to identify environmental correlates of the biological assemblages identified by the cluster analysis and to predict and assign the biological assemblage present in areas with too few biological data. Indicator species for each assemblage (biophysical unit) were also identified.Five biophysical units were identified: Continental Shelf, Troughs, Dogfish Bank, Other Banks, and the Continental Slope. Depth, salinity, and temperature range were the most important variables for distinguishing the units. The top 2-3 indicator species for each unit are:Continental Shelf: Yelloweye Rockfish (Sebastes ruberrimus) and Petrale Sole (Eopsetta jordani).Troughs: Pacific Ocean Perch (Sebastes alutus), Redbanded Rockfish (Sebastes babcocki), and Rougheye Rockfish (Sebastes aleutianus).Dogfish Bank: Pacific Sand Sole (Psettichthys melanostictus), Sturgeon Poacher (Podothecus accipenserinus) and Dungeness Crab (Metacarcinus magister)Other Banks: Quillback Rockfish (Sebastes maliger), Kelp Greenling (Hexagrammos decagrammus), and Pink Scallop (Chlamys rubida). Continental Slope: Grooved Tanner Crab (Chionoecetes tanneri), Giant Grenadier (Albatrossia pectoralis) and Pacific Grenadier (Coryphaenoides acrolepis)Full methods are available in Rubidge et al. 2016.Two nearshore grid cells were removed from the published version of the biophysical units for the analyses carried out in the NSB Marine Protected Area Network planning process.Uncertainty- Although the biophysical units are presented as polygons that suggest hard spatial boundaries and a clear distinction between adjacent units, the boundaries between the units should be considered to be transition zones where the biological and environmental conditions are changing over gradients. Rubidge et al. (2016) show that uncertainty in the random forest model is highest at the boundaries between units, particularly at the southern boundary of Dogfish Bank, around the Other Banks unit, and running along the length of the boundary between the Shelf and Slope units. The model also performs poorly in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, possibly because the influences of complex local currents, and because eddies in the area are not accurately captured in the broad-scale environmental data used to predict the biophysical units.ReferencesDFO. 2016. Evaluation of Hierarchical Marine Ecological Classification Systems for Pacific and Maritimes Regions. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2016/003.Rubidge, E., Gale, K.S.P., Curtis, J.M.R., McClelland, E., Feyrer, L., Bodtker, K., and Robb, C. 2016. Methodology of the Pacific Marine Ecological Classification System and its application to the Northern and Southern Shelf Bioregions. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2016/035: xi + 124 p.
Copyright Text: Rubidge, E., Gale, K.S.P., Curtis, J.M.R., McClelland, E., Feyrer, L., Bodtker, K., and Robb, C. 2016. Methodology of the Pacific Marine Ecological Classification System and its application to the Northern and Southern Shelf Bioregions. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2016/035: xi + 124 p.
DFO Science, Pacific Region
Description: Under the Pacific Marine Ecological Classification System (PMECS; DFO 2016; Rubidge et al. 2016), biophysical units are areas of distinct physiographic and oceanographic conditions and processes that shape species composition at spatial extents of 1000s of km. Rubidge et al. (2016) used a two-step process to identify biophysical units in British Columbia. First, a cluster analysis based on the similarity of species composition was used to group sites with similar species into distinct biological assemblages. Second, a random forest analysis was used to identify environmental correlates of the biological assemblages identified by the cluster analysis and to predict and assign the biological assemblage present in areas with too few biological data. This layer shows the probability that a grid cell was assigned to a given biophysical unit in the final random forest predictive modelling step. Full methods are available in Rubidge et al. 2016.ReferencesDFO. 2016. Evaluation of Hierarchical Marine Ecological Classification Systems for Pacific and Maritimes Regions. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2016/003.Rubidge, E., Gale, K.S.P., Curtis, J.M.R., McClelland, E., Feyrer, L., Bodtker, K., and Robb, C. 2016. Methodology of the Pacific Marine Ecological Classification System and its application to the Northern and Southern Shelf Bioregions. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2016/035: xi + 124 p.
Service Item Id: 5ad7ef9116ce4fd98dfba34cca1496e7
Copyright Text: Rubidge, E., Gale, K.S.P., Curtis, J.M.R., McClelland, E., Feyrer, L., Bodtker, K., and Robb, C. 2016. Methodology of the Pacific Marine Ecological Classification System and its application to the Northern and Southern Shelf Bioregions. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2016/035: xi + 124 p.
DFO Science, Pacific Region
Description: Under the Pacific Marine Ecological Classification System (PMECS; DFO 2016; Rubidge et al. 2016), biophysical units are areas of distinct physiographic and oceanographic conditions and processes that shape species composition at spatial extents of 1000s of km. Rubidge et al. (2016) used a two-step process to identify biophysical units in British Columbia. First, a cluster analysis based on the similarity of species composition was used to group sites with similar species into distinct biological assemblages. Second, a random forest analysis was used to identify environmental correlates of the biological assemblages identified by the cluster analysis and to predict and assign the biological assemblage present in areas with too few biological data. This layer shows the probability that a grid cell was assigned to a given biophysical unit in the final random forest predictive modelling step. Full methods are available in Rubidge et al. 2016.ReferencesDFO. 2016. Evaluation of Hierarchical Marine Ecological Classification Systems for Pacific and Maritimes Regions. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2016/003.Rubidge, E., Gale, K.S.P., Curtis, J.M.R., McClelland, E., Feyrer, L., Bodtker, K., and Robb, C. 2016. Methodology of the Pacific Marine Ecological Classification System and its application to the Northern and Southern Shelf Bioregions. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2016/035: xi + 124 p.
Copyright Text: Rubidge, E., Gale, K.S.P., Curtis, J.M.R., McClelland, E., Feyrer, L., Bodtker, K., and Robb, C. 2016. Methodology of the Pacific Marine Ecological Classification System and its application to the Northern and Southern Shelf Bioregions. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2016/035: xi + 124 p.
DFO Science, Pacific Region