Ecosystems Field Data Collection Micro-Credential - Virtual Delivery
The Ecosystems Field Data Collection Micro-Credential trains resource and/or forestry practitioners in the use of field skills to identify ecosystems in the field, describe and map ecological strata, identify and describe critical soil hazards and site issues.
Procedures and methodologies taught will allow practitioners to classify areas, even if they are devoid of vegetation due to wildfire, or other alterations.
This Micro-Credential covers field procedures consistent with British Columbia’s Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem classification (BEC) system for both Land Management Handbooks 25 and 47.
The StrongerBC future skills grant (FSG) is here to help you pursue the future you want. The grant will cover up to $3,500 of eligible costs for your short-term skills training at public universities and colleges in BC.
This course is eligible for FSG funding except for the March 2025 session.
StrongerBC future skills grant
About the instructor
Diana Gerdenits has extensive experience collecting ecological field data from BC’s coastal and interior sub-zones. She has collected field data (SP, SIBEC, SMP, TEM) for both industry and government as well as conducted internal training in BEC skills.
Diana specializes in soil and Red/Blue listed plant community identification and owns her own consulting firm.
Learning Outcomes
- Locate and acquire important information to complete tasks relevant to field ecosystem data collection from various government websites and databases.
- Be able to stratify areas and conduct an effective and efficient field procedure to capture and develop linework and verify all site series encountered, even when they have been altered and mature seral stand conditions do not exist.
- Describe site physical factors such as soils, coarse fragments and geophysical processes of the site on the meso and macro scale.
- Identify critical site factors for forest management and calculate soil hazard ratings.
- Understand how to use plant identification books, like LMH 46, occurrences of indicator plants, humus forms and stratification which reduces compound ecosystems with conflated forest management requirements.
Course Requirements
This Micro-Credential is a three-day, instructor-led online course administered via Zoom. Students must have a computer with a webcam in order to attend class and participate in exercises and knowledge checks.
Students are required to attend 100% of class time (i.e. all three course days), complete a case study and obtain a minimum of 70% on a multiple-choice Final Quiz. Students will complete the case study during class and have 48-hours post-course to complete the Final Quiz.
Course Prerequisites
Students must be at a grade 10 reading and writing level. Previous courses in Forest Soils, Forest Botany, Dendrology, Hydrology and Forest Ecology are recommended but not mandatory.
Details
Course Cancellations
Please note that courses may be cancelled at any time due to low enrolment. Upon cancellation, registrants will receive a full refund.
