QUEBEC ECOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK FOR FOREST MANAGEMENT - A CASE-STUDY IN THE BOREAL FOREST OF ABITIBI

The Quebec Ministry of Forests has developed an approach to ecological cartography designed to complement its traditional forest inventory and delimit homogeneous land units for forest management. The methodology consists of field work, map analysis and photointerpretation. Within the hierarchical classification, ecological regions reflecting regional climate are mapped at the 1:1 250 000 scale. Major physiographic ensembles and ecological districts, mapped at 1:250 000, express patterns of physiography, geology and geomorphology and ecological types (1:20 000) characterize surface deposits, drainage class, slope and potential climax forest. Using information drawn from ecological classification work in northwestern Quebec and applying the Ministry's standards, an ecological framework for two townships was developed. In addition to maps of each classification level, the framework includes interpretative documents such as schematic cross-sections of ecosystems and descriptive texts. Examples of management interpretations (natural regeneration potential and site preparation effect on competition) are presented. The classification approach and its future are evaluated.