# E-Flora BC

> online biogeographic atlas of the vascular plants (established and non-established), bryophytes, lichens, algae, fungi and slime molds of British Columbia

**Wikidata**: [Q107282072](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q107282072)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/e-flora-bc

## Summary
E-Flora BC is a comprehensive online biogeographic atlas focused on the biodiversity of British Columbia. The database acts as an electronic resource covering vascular plants, bryophytes, lichens, algae, fungi, and slime molds. It documents both established and non-established species within the province.

## Key Facts
*   **Formal Title:** Also known as the "Electronic Atlas of the Flora of British Columbia" and the "Electronic Atlas of the Plants of British Columbia."
*   **Inception:** The project was established in 2004.
*   **Geographic Scope:** The atlas specifically covers the biological species of British Columbia, Canada.
*   **Taxonomic Coverage:** The database includes vascular plants (established and non-established), bryophytes, lichens, algae, fungi, and slime molds.
*   **Resource Type:** It is classified as both a website and an atlas (biogeographic).
*   **Language:** The primary language of the work is English.
*   **Library Classification:** The resource holds the Library of Congress Classification "QK203.B7".
*   **Access:** The atlas is publicly accessible via the URL `https://ibis.geog.ubc.ca/biodiversity/eflora/`.

## FAQs
### Q: What specific types of organisms are documented in E-Flora BC?
A: The atlas provides information on a wide range of organisms, including vascular plants, bryophytes, lichens, algae, fungi, and slime molds found in British Columbia.

### Q: Does E-Flora BC include invasive or non-established plant species?
A: Yes, the atlas explicitly documents both established and non-established vascular plants, providing a complete picture of the province's flora.

### Q: When was E-Flora BC created?
A: The electronic atlas was inceptioned in 2004.

## Why It Matters
E-Flora BC serves as a critical digital infrastructure for the documentation and study of biodiversity in British Columbia. By consolidating information on vastly different biological kingdoms—from vascular plants to slime molds and algae—into a single "biogeographic atlas," it lowers the barrier to entry for identifying and understanding species distribution in the region.

The distinction of tracking "non-established" species alongside native ones is particularly significant for ecological management and research. This allows the resource to serve not just as a static library of biological facts, but as a dynamic tool for monitoring ecological changes, tracking the spread of invasive species, and informing conservation policy. As a web-based resource (served from a single domain), it provides immediate accessibility to students, researchers, and the general public, democratizing access to scientific data that was previously scattered or difficult to retrieve.

## Notable For
*   **Broad Taxonomic Range:** Unlike many flora atlases that focus strictly on vascular plants, E-Flora BC includes specialized groups such as slime molds, lichens, and algae.
*   **Biogeographic Focus:** It is specifically structured as a biogeographic atlas, emphasizing the geographic distribution of species rather than just taxonomic identification.
*   **Comprehensive Status Tracking:** The inclusion of both "established and non-established" species provides a more nuanced dataset regarding the ecological status of vascular plants in the region.

## Body

### Identity and Classification
E-Flora BC is formally defined as an online biogeographic atlas. It is categorized as an electronic database and a website. The project is also identified by the alias "Electronic Atlas of the Plants of British Columbia." In the Library of Congress Classification system, it is indexed under **QK203.B7**.

### Scope of Content
The atlas provides a comprehensive inventory of life forms in British Columbia. The content is not limited to flora in the strict sense but extends to several biological groups:
*   **Vascular Plants:** Both established (native) and non-established (introduced/invasive) species are cataloged.
*   **Non-Vascular Plants and Fungi:** The database includes bryophytes (mosses), lichens, fungi, and algae.
*   **Protists:** Slime molds are also included in the dataset.

### Publication and Provenance
The resource was inceptioned in **2004**. It is maintained as a specialized website served from the University of British Columbia domain (`ubc.ca`). The underlying data structure includes references to external identifiers, such as Open Library ID **18925382**, facilitating integration with broader knowledge graphs.

## References

1. [Source](https://ibis.geog.ubc.ca/biodiversity/eflora/donations.html)
2. [Source](https://ibis.geog.ubc.ca/~brian/pubs.html)