ECOLOGICAL LAND CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM TO BE FURTHER DEVELOPED

Released on April 23, 1999

Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management (SERM) Minister Lorne

Scott today announced $125,000 will be provided this year to continue

the development of an Ecological Land Classification for Saskatchewan.



The five year land classification project is one of a number of

initiatives SERM is undertaking in support of its new ecosystem-based

approach to environment and resource management.



Ecological land classification is a method of grouping different types

of landscapes into groups based on their similarities and differences.



It involves classifying ecologically distinct areas based on features

such as geology, climate, soils, water, land forms, vegetation,

wildlife and human activity.



"As our province moves toward ecosystem-based forest management, a

made-in-Saskatchewan ecological land classification is an essential

tool," Scott said. "The information we are collecting will help

Saskatchewan people make better decisions on land management issues

such as wildlife habitat protection, reforestation, water quality and

the harvesting of our natural resources. By helping make these

decisions locally, with information on how all the elements of the

landscape work together, we can best meet environmental, economic and

social needs."



Saskatchewan's four ecozones are the most general level in the

classification system; ecoregions and landscape areas

(ecodistricts) represent subdivisions at progressively more

detailed levels.



Soil landscape units or ecosites are the smallest of all

ecological units and their classification in the forested

ecozones will be the focus of a five year research program.



Field data collection, providing the foundation of information

for the classification project, will continue this summer.



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For more information, contact:



Michael McLaughlan

Environment and Resource Management

Prince Albert

Phone: (306) 953-2436