Vegetation types in British Columbia

Alpine

An alpine landscape characterized by hardy, low‑growing vegetation adapted to cold temperatures and strong winds.

Boreal forest

A boreal forest landscape of northern British Columbia, shaped by long cold winters and short cool summers. This forest forms part of Canada’s vast boreal zone.

Coastal forest

A coastal forest of British Columbia shaped by the cool, wet climate of the Pacific coast, where conifers thrive.

Dry Forest

A dry forest ecosystem dominated by drought‑tolerant trees and open, sunny understory vegetation.

Fen

A peat‑forming wetland fed by mineral‑rich groundwater or streams.

Forage cropland

A forage cropland landscape dominated by fields of grasses and legumes grown for livestock feed.

Grassland

A grassland landscape dominated by wide expanses of grasses and herbaceous plants, shaped by open sunlight, moderate moisture, and periodic fire or grazing.

Shrubland

A shrubland environment dominated by dense, low woody shrubs.

Sub-alpine forest

A subalpine forest characterized by cold‑tolerant conifers growing just below the alpine zone.

Sub-boreal Forest

A transitional coniferous forest found between cooler, higher elevation forests and warmer temperate zones.

Unvegetated (rock and ice)

A stark, unvegetated landscape dominated by exposed rock and persistent ice.