This National Vegetation Classification Standard (NVCS) Codes Key lists and describes the NVCS Codes down to the Formation level. The upper levels of the NVCS hierarchical classification system are organized as follows:

CLASS - Class describes the general habitat type (e.g., I = Forest, II = Woodland, etc.)
SUBCLASS - Subclass describes the general vegetation type (e.g., I.A. = Evergreen forest, II.B. = Deciduous
      woodland, etc.)
GROUP and SUBGROUP - Group/Subgroup indicates whether the habitat is natural/semi-natural ("N", e.g.,
     IB2N = Natural cold-deciduous forest), or planted/cultivated ("C", e.g., IB2C = Planted/cultivated cold-
     deciduous forest).
FORMATION - Formation describes the hydrology and geographic location of the habitat (e.g., IIB2Nb =
     Temporarily flooded cold-deciduous woodland, IIC1Na = Tropical or subtropical semi-deciduous
     woodland).

For further information on NVCS classification and codes, please review the following Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) documents available for viewing or download on IBP's website:
     NVCS Background (81 K)
     NVCS Formation Codes (170 K)
     Glossary of NVCS Terms (138 K)


I.
FOREST.   Trees with their crowns overlapping (generally forming 60 - 100% cover)
 
  I.A. Evergreen forest - evergreen species generally contribute >75% of the total tree cover
 
    I.A.1. Tropical or subtropical broad-leaved evergreen rainforest (broad-leaved evergreen trees, neither cold- nor drought-resistant)
  I.A.1.N.a. Lowland tropical or subtropical rainforest
  I.A.1.N.b. Submontane tropical or subtropical rainforest
  I.A.1.N.c. Montane tropical or subtropical rainforest
  I.A.1.N.d. Montane tropical or subtropical cloud forest
  I.A.1.N.e. Subalpine tropical or subtropical rainforest
  I.A.1.N.f. Temporarily flooded tropical or subtropical rainforest
  I.A.1.N.g. Semipermanently flooded tropical or subtropical rainforest
  I.A.1.N.h. Saturated tropical or subtropical evergreen rainforest
  I.A.1.N.i. Tidal tropical or subtropical rainforest
  I.A.1.N.j. Seasonally flooded tropical or subtropical rainforest
 
    I.A.2. Temperate or subpolar broad-leaved evergreen rainforest (restricted to southern hemisphere)
  I.A.2.N.a. Temperate evergreen rainforest
  I.A.2.N.b. Subpolar evergreen rainforest
  I.A.2.N.c. Temporarily flooded temperate evergreen rainforest
  I.A.2.N.d. Seasonally flooded temperate evergreen rainforest
 
    I.A.3. Tropical or subtropical broad-leaved seasonal evergreen forest (mainly broad-leaved evergreen trees with some foliage reduction in the dry season)
  I.A.3.N.a. Lowland tropical or subtropical seasonal evergreen forest
  I.A.3.N.b. Submontane tropical or subtropical seasonal evergreen forest
  I.A.3.N.c. Montane tropical or subtropical seasonal evergreen forest
  I.A.3.N.d. Subalpine tropical or subtropical evergreen forest
  I.A.3.N.e. Temporarily flooded tropical or subtropical seasonal evergreen forest
  I.A.3.N.f. Seasonally flooded tropical or subtropical seasonal evergreen forest
  I.A.3.N.g. Semipermanently flooded tropical or subtropical seasonal evergreen forest
 
    I.A.4. Temperate broad-leaved seasonal evergreen forest (mainly broad-leaved evergreen with some foliage reduction in the dry season)
  I.A.4.N.a. Lowland temperate seasonal evergreen forest
  I.A.4.N.b. Submontane temperate seasonal evergreen forest
  I.A.4.N.c. Montane temperate seasonal evergreen forest
  I.A.4.N.d. Subalpine temperate evergreen forest
  I.A.4.N.e. Temporarily flooded temperate seasonal evergreen forest
  I.A.4.N.f. Seasonally flooded temperate seasonal evergreen forest
  I.A.4.N.g. Saturated temperate seasonal evergreen forest
 
    I.A.5. Tropical or subtropical broad-leaved evergreen sclerophyllous forest.
  I.A.5.N.a. Lowland tropical or subtropical broad-leaved evergreen sclerophyllous forest
  I.A.5.N.b. Temporarily flooded tropical or subtropical broad-leaved evergreen sclerophyllous forest
  I.A.5.N.c. Seasonally flooded tropical or subtropical broad-leaved evergreen sclerophyllous forest
  I.A.5.N.d. Semipermanently flooded tropical or subtropical broad-leaved evergreen sclerophyllous forest
  I.A.5.N.e. Saturated tropical or subtropical broad-leaved evergreen sclerophyllous forest
  I.A.5.N.f. Tidal tropical or subtropical broad-leaved evergreen sclerophyllous forest (e.g., mangroves)
 
    I.A.6. Winter-rain broad-leaved evergreen sclerophyllous forest (stiff leathery-leaved trees)
  I.A.6.N.a. Giant lowland or submontane winter-rain evergreen sclerophyllous forest (over 50 m tall, e.g. Eucalyptus in Australia)
  I.A.6.N.b. Lowland or submontane winter-rain evergreen sclerophyllous forest (under 50 m tall, e.g. live oak in California)
 
    I.A.7. Tropical or subtropical needle-leaved evergreen forest
  I.A.7.N.a. Lowland or submontane tropical or subtropical needle-leaved evergreen forest
  I.A.7.N.b. Montane or subalpine tropical or subtropical needle-leaved evergreen forest
  I.A.7.N.c. Temporarily flooded tropical or subtropical needle-leaved evergreen forest
 
    I.A.8. Temperate or subpolar needle-leaved evergreen forest. (mostly needle-leaved or scale-leaved trees)
  I.A.8.N.a. Giant temperate or subpolar needle-leaved evergreen forest (e.g., redwood and Douglas Fir)
  I.A.8.N.b. Rounded-crowned temperate or subpolar needle-leaved evergreen forest (e.g., pines, western juniper)
  I.A.8.N.c. Conical-crowned temperate or subpolar needle-leaved evergreen forest (e.g., spruce, eastern juniper, cedar)
  I.A.8.N.d. Cylindrical-crowned temperate or subpolar needle-leaved evergreen forest (e.g., boreal spruce forests of Alaska)
  I.A.8.N.e. Temporarily flooded temperate or subpolar needle-leaved evergreen forest
  I.A.8.N.f. Seasonally flooded temperate or subpolar needle-leaved evergreen forest
  I.A.8.N.g. Saturated temperate or subpolar needle-leaved evergreen forest
  I.A.8.N.h. Tidal temperate or subpolar needle-leaved evergreen forest
 
    I.A.9. Extremely xeromorphic evergreen forest
  I.A.9.N.a. Sclerophyllous extremely xeromorphic evergreen forest
  I.A.9.N.b. Succulent extremely xeromorphic evergreen forest (assumed to be evergreen)
 
  I.B. Deciduous forest - deciduous tree species generally contribute >75% of the total tree cover
 
    I.B.1. Drought-deciduous forest.
  I.B.1.N.a. Lowland or submontane drought-deciduous forest
  I.B.1.N.b. Montane or cloud drought-deciduous forest
 
    I.B.2. cold-deciduous forest
  I.B.2.N.a. Lowland or submontane cold-deciduous forest (e.g.,broadleaf forests of the Midwest)
  I.B.2.N.b. Montane or boreal cold-deciduous forest (e.g., broadleaf forests of the mountains)
  I.B.2.N.c. Subalpine or subpolar cold-deciduous forest
  I.B.2.N.d. Temporarily flooded cold-deciduous forest (e.g., alluvial bottomland hardwoods)
  I.B.2.N.e. Seasonally flooded cold-deciduous forest (e.g., deciduous larch forests in Alaska, peat forests)
  I.B.2.N.f. Semipermanently flooded cold-deciduous forest (e.g., cypress swamp)
  I.B.2.N.g. Saturated cold-deciduous forest
  I.B.2.N.h. Tidal cold-deciduous forest
 
    I.B.3 Extremely xeromorphic deciduous forest
  1.B.3.N.a. Extremely xeromorphic deciduous thorn forest
 
  I.C. Mixed evergreen-deciduous forest - evergreen and deciduous species generally contribute 25 75% of total tree cover. (Includes semi-deciduous, semi-evergreen, mixed evergreen-deciduous xeromorphic, and mixed needle-leaved evergreen-cold-deciduous woody vegetation).
 
    I.C.1. Tropical or subtropical semi-deciduous forest
  I.C.1.N.a. Lowland tropical or subtropical semi-deciduous forest
  I.C.1.N.b. Cloud or montane tropical or subtropical semi-deciduous forest
  I.C.1.N.c. Seasonally flooded tropical or subtropical semi-deciduous forest
  I.C.1.N.d. Saturated tropical or subtropical semi-deciduous forest
 
    I.C.2. Mixed broad-leaved evergreen - cold-deciduous forest
  I.C.2.N.a. Mixed broad-leaved evergreen - cold-deciduous forest
  I.C.2.N.b. Temporarily flooded mixed evergreen - cold-deciduous forest
  I.C.2.N.c. Seasonally flooded mixed broad-leaved evergreen - cold-deciduous forest
  I.C.2.N.d. Saturated mixed broad-leaved evergreen - cold-deciduous forest
 
    I.C.3. Mixed needle-leaved evergreen - cold-deciduous forest
  I.C.3.N.a. Mixed needle-leaved evergreen - cold-deciduous forest
  I.C.3.N.b. Temporarily flooded mixed needle-leaved evergreen - cold-deciduous forest
  I.C.3.N.c. Seasonally flooded mixed needle-leaved evergreen - cold-deciduous forest
  I.C.3.N.d. Saturated mixed needle-leaved evergreen - cold-deciduous forest
 
    I.C.4 Extremely xeromorphic mixed evergreen-deciduous forest
  I.C.4.N.a. Extremely xeromorphic mixed evergreen - deciduous thorn forest
 

II.
WOODLAND.   Open stands of trees with crowns not usually touching (generally forming 25 - 60% cover). Canopy tree cover may be less than 25% in cases where it exceeds shrub, dwarf-shrub, herb, and nonvascular cover, respectively
 
  II.A. Evergreen woodland - evergreen species generally contribute >75% of the total tree cover
 
    II.A.1. Tropical or subtropical broad-leaved evergreen woodland
  II.A.1.N.a. Tropical or subtropical broad-leaved evergreen woodland
  II.A.1.N.b. Temporarily flooded tropical or subtropical broad-leaved evergreen woodland
  II.A.1.N.c. Seasonally flooded tropical or subtropical broad-leaved evergreen woodland
  II.A.1.N.d. Semipermanently flooded tropical or subtropical broad-leaved evergreen woodland
  II.A.1.N.e. Tidal tropical or subtropical broad-leaved evergreen woodland
 
    II.A.2. Temperate broad-leaved evergreen woodland
  II.A.2.N.a. Temperate broad-leaved evergreen woodland
  II.A.2.N.b. Seasonally flooded temperate broad-leaved evergreen woodland
  II.A.2.N.c. Saturated temperate broad-leaved evergreen woodland
 
    II.A.3. Tropical or subtropical needle-leaved evergreen woodland
  II.A.3.N.a. Tropical or subtropical needle-leaved evergreen woodland
  II.A.3.N.b. Temporarily flooded tropical or subtropical needle-leaved evergreen woodland
  II.A.3.N.c. Seasonally flooded tropical or subtropical needle-leaved evergreen woodland
  II.A.3.N.d. Saturated tropical or subtropical needle-leaved evergreen woodland
 
    II.A.4. Temperate or subpolar needle-leaved evergreen woodland
  II.A.4.N.a. Rounded-crowned temperate or subpolar needle-leaved evergreen woodland (e.g., pine, Western juniper)
  II.A.4.N.b. Conical-crowned temperate or subpolar needle-leaved evergreen woodland (e.g., spruce in the west)
  II.A.4.N.c. Cylindrical-crowned temperate or subpolar needle-leaved evergreen woodland (e.g., some spruce in Alaska)
  II.A.4.N.d. Temporarily flooded temperate or subpolar needle-leaved evergreen woodland
  II.A.4.N.e. Seasonally flooded temperate or subpolar needle-leaved evergreen woodland
  II.A.4.N.f. Saturated temperate or subpolar needle-leaved evergreen woodland (e.g., black spruce bogs)
 
    II.A.5. Extremely xeromorphic evergreen woodland
  II.A.5.N.a. Sclerophyllous extremely xeromorphic evergreen woodland
  II.A.5.N.b. Succulent extremely xeromorphic evergreen woodland
 
  II.B. Deciduous woodland - deciduous tree species generally contribute to >75% of the total tree cover
 
    II.B.1. Tropical or subtropical drought-deciduous woodland
  II.B.1.N.a. Lowland or submontane broad-leaved drought-deciduous woodland
  II.B.1.N.b. Montane (and cloud) drought-deciduous woodland
  II.B.1.N.c. Temporarily flooded tropical or subtropical drought-deciduous woodland
  II.B.1.N.d. Seasonally flooded tropical or subtropical drought-deciduous woodland
 
    II.B.2. Cold-deciduous woodland
  II.B.2.N.a. cold-deciduous woodland
  II.B.2.N.b. Temporarily flooded cold-deciduous woodland
  II.B.2.N.c. Seasonally flooded cold-deciduous woodland
  II.B.2.N.d. Semipermanently flooded cold-deciduous woodland
  II.B.2.N.e. Saturated cold-deciduous woodland
  II.B.2.N.f. Tidal cold-deciduous woodland
 
    II.B.3. Extremely xeromorphic deciduous woodland
  II.B.3.N.a. Thorn extremely xeromorphic deciduous woodland (may not be represented in the U.S.)
 
  II.C./td> Mixed evergreen-deciduous woodland - evergreen and deciduous species each contribute 25 - 75% of total tree cover. (Includes semi-deciduous, semi-evergreen, mixed evergreen-deciduous xeromorphic, and mixed needle-leaved evergreen cold-deciduous woody vegetation).
 
    II.C.1. Tropical or subtropical semi-deciduous woodland
  II.C.1.N.a. Tropical or subtropical semi-deciduous woodland
 
    II.C.2. Mixed broad-leaved evergreen - cold-deciduous woodland
  II.C.2.N.a. Mixed broad-leaved evergreen - cold-deciduous woodland
 
    II.C.3. Mixed needle-leaved evergreen - cold-deciduous woodland
  II.C.3.N.a. Mixed needle-leaved evergreen - cold-deciduous woodland
  II.C.3.N.b. Seasonally flooded mixed needle-leaved evergreen cold-deciduous woodland
  II.C.3.N.c. Saturated mixed needle-leaved evergreen cold-deciduous woodland
 
    II.C.4. Extremely xeromorphic mixed evergreen-deciduous woodland
  II.C.4.N.a. Mixed evergreen-deciduous thorn woodland
 

III.
SHRUBLAND.   Shrubs generally greater than 0.5 m tall with individuals or clumps overlapping to not touching (generally forming more than 25% cover, trees generally less than 25% cover). Shrub cover may be less than 25% where it exceeds tree, dwarf-shrub, herb, and nonvascular cover, respectively.Vegetation dominated by woody vines is generally treated in this class
 
  III.A. Evergreen shrubland - evergreen species generally contribute >75% of the total shrub cover
 
    III.A.1. Tropical or subtropical broad-leaved evergreen shrubland (with or without scattered tree canopy)
  III.A.1.N.a. Tropical or subtropical broad-leaved evergreen shrubland (includes bamboos and tuft trees)
  III.A.1.N.b. Hemi-sclerophyllous tropical or subtropical broad-leaved evergreen shrubland
  III.A.1.N.c. Sclerophyllous tropical or subtropical broad-leaved evergreen shrubland
  III.A.1.N.d. Tropical or subtropical broad-leaved evergreen shrubland with a sparse broad-leaved evergreen tree layer (includes tuft trees)
  III.A.1.N.e. Temporarily flooded tropical or subtropical broad-leaved evergreen shrubland
  III.A.1.N.f. Seasonally flooded tropical or subtropical broad-leaved evergreen shrubland
  III.A.1.N.g. Semipermanently flooded tropical or subtropical broad-leaved evergreen shrubland
  III.A.1.N.h. Saturated tropical or subtropical broad-leaved evergreen shrubland
  III.A.1.N.i. Tidal tropical or subtropical broad-leaved evergreen shrubland
 
    III.A.2. Temperate broad-leaved evergreen shrubland (with or without scattered tree canopy)
  III.A.2.N.a. Temperate broad-leaved evergreen shrubland (including bamboos and tuft trees)
  III.A.2.N.b. Hemi-sclerophyllous temperate broad-leaved evergreen shrubland
  III.A.2.N.c. Sclerophyllous temperate broad-leaved evergreen shrubland
  III.A.2.N.d. Suffruticose temperate broad-leaved evergreen shrubland
  III.A.2.N.e. Temperate broad-leaved evergreen shrubland with a sparse broad-leaved evergreen tree layer (includes tuft trees)
  III.A.2.N.f. Temperate broad-leaved evergreen shrubland with a sparse cold-deciduous tree layer
  III.A.2.N.g. Temporarily flooded temperate broad-leaved evergreen shrubland
  III.A.2.N.h. Seasonally flooded temperate broad-leaved evergreen shrubland
  III.A.2.N.i. Saturated temperate broad-leaved evergreen shrubland
  III.A.2.N.j. Saturated temperate broad-leaved evergreen shrubland with a sparse needle-leaved or mixed evergreen tree layer (e.g., pocosins)
  III.A.2.N.k. Saturated temperate broad-leaved evergreen shrubland with a sparse cold-deciduous tree layer
  III.A.2.N.l. Tidal broad-leaved evergreen temperate shrubland
 
    III.A.3. Needle-leaved evergreen shrubland
  III.A.3.N.a. Needle-leaved evergreen shrubland (e.g., krummholz)
  III.A.3.N.b. Saturated needle-leaved evergreen shrubland (e.g., shrub bog)
 
    III.A.4. Microphyllous evergreen shrubland
  III.A.4.N.a. Microphyllous evergreen shrubland (e.g., sagebrush)
  III.A.4.N.b. Intermittently flooded microphyllous shrubland
  III.A.4.N.c. Temporarily flooded microphyllous shrubland
  III.A.4.N.d. Seasonally flooded microphyllous shrubland
 
    III.A.5. Extremely xeromorphic evergreen shrubland
  III.A.5.N.a. Broad-leaved and microphyllous evergreen extremely xeromorphic subdesert shrubland (e.g., creosote bush)
  III.A.5.N.b. Facultatively deciduous extremely xeromorphic subdesert shrubland (e.g., saltbush)
  III.A.5.N.c. Succulent extremely xeromorphic evergreen shrubland
  III.A.5.N.d. Tidal extremely xeromorphic shrubland
  III.A.5.N.e. Extremely xeromorphic evergreen shrubland with a sparse tree layer
 
  III.B. Deciduous shrubland - deciduous species generally contribute >75% of the total shrub cover
 
    III.B.1. Drought-deciduous shrubland
  III.B.1.N.a. Lowland drought-deciduous shrubland
 
    III.B.2. Cold-deciduous shrubland
  III.B.2.N.a. Temperate cold-deciduous shrubland (e.g., serviceberry, some oaks)
  III.B.2.N.b. Subalpine or subpolar cold-deciduous shrubland (e.g., willow, alder)
  III.B.2.N.c. Intermittently flooded cold-deciduous shrubland
  III.B.2.N.d. Temporarily flooded cold-deciduous shrubland
  III.B.2.N.e. Seasonally flooded cold-deciduous shrubland (e.g.,blueberry azalea thickets)
  III.B.2.N.f. Semipermanently flooded cold-deciduous shrubland (e.g., buttonbush thickets)
  III.B.2.N.g. Saturated cold-deciduous shrubland (e.g., on peat)
  III.B.2.N.h. Tidal cold-deciduous shrubland (e.g., high tide bush)
 
    III.B.3. Extremely xeromorphic deciduous shrubland
  III.B.3.N.a. Extremely xeromorphic deciduous subdesert shrubland without succulents
  III.B.3.N.b. Intermittently flooded extremely xeromorphic deciduous subdesert shrubland
 
  III.C. Mixed evergreen-deciduous shrubland - evergreen and deciduous species each generally contribute 25 - 75% of total shrub cover (includes facultatively deciduous, extremely xeromorphic mixed evergreen-deciduous woody plants)
 
    III.C.1. Mixed evergreen - drought-deciduous shrubland
  III.C.1.N.a. Lowland mixed evergreen - drought-deciduous shrubland
 
    III.C.2. Mixed evergreen - cold-deciduous shrubland (with or without scattered tree canopy)
  III.C.2.N.a. Mixed evergreen - cold-deciduous shrubland
  III.C.2.N.b. Mixed evergreen - cold-deciduous shrubland with a sparse needle-leaved evergreen tree layer (e.g., pitch pine scrub oak)
  III.C.2.N.c. Intermittently flooded mixed evergreen - cold-deciduous shrubland
  III.C.2.N.d. Seasonally flooded mixed evergreen - cold-deciduous shrubland
  III.C.2.N.e. Saturated mixed evergreen - cold-deciduous shrubland (e.g., on peat)
  III.C.2.N.f. Saturated mixed evergreen - cold-deciduous shrubland with a sparse needle-leaved evergreen tree layer (e.g., pocosins)
 
    III.C.3. Extremely xeromorphic mixed evergreen-deciduous shrubland
  III.C.3.N.a. Extremely xeromorphic deciduous subdesert shrubland with succulents (e.g. palo verde)
  III.C.3.N.b. Mixed evergreen - deciduous subdesert shrubland
 

IV.
DWARF-SHRUBLAND.   Low-growing shrubs usually under 0.5 m tall. Individuals or clumps overlapping to not touching (generally forming more than 25% cover, trees and tall shrubs generally less than 25% cover). Dwarf-shrubcover may be less than 25% where it exceeds tree, shrub, herb, and nonvascular cover, respectively
 
  IV.A. Evergreen dwarf-shrubland - evergreen species generally contribute >75% of the total dwarf-shrub cover
 
    IV.A.1. Needle-leaved or microphyllous evergreen dwarf-shrubland (with or without scattered tree canopy)
  IV.A.1.N.a. Caespitose needle-leaved or microphyllous evergreen dwarf-shrubland (e.g., alpine azalea)
  IV.A.1.N.b. Creeping or matted needle-leaved or microphyllous evergreen dwarf-shrubland
  IV.A.1.N.c. Cushion needle-leaved or microphyllous evergreen dwarf-shrubland
  IV.A.1.N.d. needle-leaved or microphyllous evergreen dwarf-shrubland with a sparse needle-leaved evergreen tree layer
  IV.A.1.N.e. Temporarily flooded needle-leaved and microphyllous evergreen dwarf-shrubland
  IV.A.1.N.f. Seasonally flooded needle-leaved and microphyllous evergreen dwarf-shrubland
  IV.A.1.N.g. Saturated needle-leaved or microphyllous evergreen - dwarf-shrubland (may include sparse dwarf-shrubland, e.g., dwarf-shrub bogs)
  IV.A.1.N.h. Saturated needle-leaved or microphyllous evergreen dwarf-shrubland with a sparse needle-leaved evergreen tree layer
 
    IV.A.2. Extremely xeromorphic evergreen dwarf-shrubland
  IV.A.2.N.a. Extremely xeromorphic evergreen subdesert dwarf-shrubland
  IV.A.2.N.b. Facultatively deciduous subdesert dwarf-shrubland
  IV.A.2.N.c. Tidal needle-leaved or microphyllous evergreen dwarf-shrubland
 
  IV.B. Deciduous dwarf-shrubland - deciduous species generally contribute >75% of the total dwarf-shrub cover
 
    IV.B.1. Drought-deciduous dwarf-shrubland
  IV.B.1.N.a. Caespitose drought-deciduous dwarf-shrubland
  IV.B.1.N.b. Creeping or matted drought-deciduous dwarf-shrubland
  IV.B.1.N.c. Cushion drought-deciduous dwarf-shrubland
 
    IV.B.2. cold-deciduous dwarf-shrubland
  IV.B.2.N.a. Caespitose cold-deciduous dwarf-shrubland
  IV.B.2.N.b. Creeping or matted cold-deciduous dwarf-shrubland
  IV.B.2.N.c. Cushion cold-deciduous dwarf-shrubland
  IV.B.2.N.d. Saturated cold-deciduous dwarf-shrubland
 
    IV.B.3. Extremely xeromorphic deciduous dwarf-shrubland
  IV.B.3.N.a. Extremely xeromorphic deciduous subdesert dwarf-shrubland without succulents
 
  IV.C. Mixed evergreen-deciduous dwarf-shrubland - evergreen and deciduous species each generally contribute 25% dwarf-shrub cover. (Includes facultatively deciduous shrubs and other mixed xeromorphic evergreen-deciduous shrubs)
 
    IV.C.1. Mixed evergreen - drought-deciduous dwarf-shrubland
  IV.C.1.N.a. Mixed evergreen - drought-deciduous dwarf-shrubland
 
    IV.C.2. Mixed evergreen - cold-deciduous dwarf-shrubland
  IV.C.2.N.a. Mixed evergreen - cold-deciduous dwarf-shrubland
 
    IV.C.3. Extremely xeromorphic mixed evergreen - deciduous dwarf-shrubland
  IV.C.3.N.a. Deciduous subdesert dwarf-shrubland with succulents
  IV.C.3.N.b. Mixed evergreen - deciduous subdesert dwarf-shrubland
 

V.
HERBACEOUS.   Herbs (graminoids, forbs, and ferns) dominant (generally forming at least 25% cover; trees, shrubs, and dwarf-shrubs generally with less than 25% cover). Herb cover may be less than 25% where it exceeds tree, shrub, dwarf-shrub, and nonvascular cover, respectively
 
  V.A. Perennial graminoid vegetation (grasslands). Perennial graminoids generally contribute to greater than 50% of total herbaceous canopy cover when the cover of each of the the other life forms present (i.e. tree, shrub, dwarf-shrub, nonvascular) is less than 25% and herbaceous cover exceeds the cover of the other life forms
 
    V.A.1. Tropical or subtropical grassland
  V.A.1.N.a. Tall tropical or subtropical grassland
  V.A.1.N.b. Medium-tall sod tropical or subtropical grassland
  V.A.1.N.c. Medium-tall bunch tropical or subtropical grassland
  V.A.1.N.d. Short sod tropical or subtropical grassland
  V.A.1.N.e. Short bunch tropical alpine grassland (e.g., Super-paramo)
  V.A.1.N.f. Temporarily flooded tropical or subtropical grassland
  V.A.1.N.g. Seasonally flooded tropical or subtropical grassland
  V.A.1.N.h. Semipermanently flooded tropical or subtropical grassland
  V.A.1.N.i. Tidal tropical or subtropical grassland
 
    V.A.2. Tropical or subtropical grassland with a sparse tree layer
  V.A.2.N.a. Tall tropical or subtropical grassland with a sparse mainly broad-leaved evergreen tree layer (includes tuft plants and broad-leaved semi-evergreen trees)
  V.A.2.N.b. Tall tropical or subtropical grassland with a sparse broad-leaved drought-deciduous tree layer
  V.A.2.N.c. Medium-tall tropical or subtropical grassland with a sparse broad-leaved evergreen tree layer (includes tuft plants and semi-evergreen trees)
  V.A.2.N.d. Medium-tall tropical or subtropical grassland with a sparse broad-leaved drought-deciduous tree layer
  V.A.2.N.e. Medium-tall tropical or subtropical grassland with a sparse needle-leaved evergreen or mixed tree layer
  V.A.2.N.f. Medium-tall tropical or subtropical grassland with a sparse xeromorphic or succulent tree layer
  V.A.2.N.g. Temporarily flooded tropical grassland with a sparse broad-leaved evergreen tree layer (includes tuft plants, e.g., Llanos de Mojos, Bolivia)
  V.A.2.N.h. Temporarily flooded tropical grassland with a sparse broad-leaved deciduous tree layer (e.g. in Northeast Bolivia)
  V.A.2.N.i. Seasonally flooded tropical or subtropical grassland with a sparse needle-leaved evergreen tree layer
  V.A.2.N.j. Seasonally flooded tropical or subtropical grassland with a sparse needle-leaved deciduous tree layer
 
    V.A.3. Tropical or subtropical grassland with a sparse shrub layer
  V.A.3.N.a. Tall tropical or subtropical grassland with a sparse broad-leaved - evergreen or semi-evergreen shrub layer (includes tuft shrubs)
  V.A.3.N.b. Tall tropical or subtropical grassland with a sparse broad-leaved drought-deciduous shrub layer
  V.A.3.N.c. Medium-tall tropical or subtropical grassland with a sparse broad-leaved evergreen or semi-evergreen shrub layer (includes tuft plants)
  V.A.3.N.d. Medium-tall tropical or subtropical grassland with a sparse drought-deciduous shrub layer
  V.A.3.N.e. Medium-tall tropical or subtropical grassland with a sparse xeromorphic (often thorny) shrub layer
  V.A.3.N.f. Short tropical or subtropical grassland with a sparse broad-leaved evergreen or semi-evergreen shrub layer (includes tuft plants, e.g., Paramo)
  V.A.3.N.g. Short tropical or subtropical grassland with a sparse drought-deciduous shrub layer (includes thorny shrubs)
  V.A.3.N.h. Short alpine bunch tropical or subtropical grassland with a sparse evergreen shrub layer
  V.A.3.N.i. Temporarily flooded tropical or subtropical grassland with a sparse evergreen broad-leaved shrub layer
 
    V.A.4. Tropical or subtropical grassland with a sparse dwarf-shrub layer
  V.A.4.N.a. Short bunch tropical or subtropical grassland with a sparse needle-leaved or microphyllous evergreen dwarf-shrub layer (e.g., Puna)
 
    V.A.5. Temperate or subpolar grassland
  V.A.5.N.a. Tall sod temperate grassland (includes sod or mixed sod bunch graminoids)
  V.A.5.N.b. Tall bunch temperate grassland
  V.A.5.N.c. Medium-tall sod temperate or subpolar grassland (includes sod or mixed sod bunch graminoids)
  V.A.5.N.d. Medium-tall bunch temperate or subpolar grassland
  V.A.5.N.e. Short sod temperate or subpolar grassland (includes sod or mixedsod bunch graminoids, e.g. shortgrass prairie)
  V.A.5.N.f. Short bunch temperate or subpolar grassland
  V.A.5.N.g. Short alpine or subalpine sod grassland
  V.A.5.N.h. Short alpine or subalpine dry bunch grassland
  V.A.5.N.i. Intermittently flooded temperate or subpolar grassland (e.g., playa lakes)
  V.A.5.N.j. Temporarily flooded temperate or subpolar grassland
  V.A.5.N.k. Seasonally flooded temperate or subpolar grassland
  V.A.5.N.l. Semipermanently flooded temperate or subpolar grassland
  V.A.5.N.m. Saturated temperate or subpolar grassland
  V.A.5.N.n. Tidal temperate or subpolar grassland
 
    V.A.6. Temperate or subpolar grassland with a sparse tree layer
  V.A.6.N.a. Tall temperate grassland with a sparse broad-leaved evergreen tree layer
  V.A.6.N.b. Tall temperate grassland with a sparse needle-leaved evergreen tree layer
  V.A.6.N.c. Tall temperate grassland with a sparse cold-deciduous tree layer
  V.A.6.N.d. Tall temperate grassland with a sparse mixed needle-leaved evergreen or cold-deciduous tree layer
  V.A.6.N.e. Medium-tall temperate grassland with a sparse broad-leaved evergreen or semi-evergreen tree layer (includes tuft plants)
  V.A.6.N.f. Medium-tall temperate or subpolar grassland with a sparse needle-leaved evergreen or mixed tree layer
  V.A.6.N.g. Medium-tall temperate or subpolar grassland with a sparse cold-deciduous tree layer
  V.A.6.N.h. Short temperate or subpolar grassland with a sparse broad-leaved evergreen or semi-evergreen tree layer
  V.A.6.N.i. Short temperate or subpolar grassland with a sparse cold-deciduous tree layer
  V.A.6.N.j. Intermittently flooded temperate or subpolar grassland with sparse needle-leaved evergreen tree layer
  V.A.6.N.k. Temporarily flooded temperate or subpolar grassland with a sparse broad-leaved evergreen tree layer
  V.A.6.N.l. Temporarily flooded temperate or subpolar grassland with a sparse cold-deciduous tree layer
  V.A.6.N.m. Seasonally flooded temperate or subpolar grassland with a sparse cold-deciduous tree layer
  V.A.6.N.n. Semipermanently flooded temperate or subpolar grassland with a sparse cold-deciduous tree layer
  V.A.6.N.o. Saturated temperate or subpolar grassland with a sparse needle-leaved evergreen tree layer
  V.A.6.N.p. Tidal temperate grassland with a sparse cold-deciduous tree layer
 
    V.A.7. Temperate or subpolar grassland with a sparse shrub layer
  V.A.7.N.a. Tall temperate grassland with a sparse broad-leaved evergreen shrub layer (includes tuft shrubs)
  V.A.7.N.b. Tall temperate grassland with a sparse microphyllous evergreen shrub layer
  V.A.7.N.c. Tall temperate grassland with a sparse cold-deciduous shrub layer
  V.A.7.N.d. Medium-tall temperate or subpolar grassland with a sparse broad-leaved evergreen shrub layer
  V.A.7.N.e. Medium-tall temperate or subpolar grassland with a sparse needle-leaved or microphyllous evergreen shrub layer
  V.A.7.N.f. Medium-tall temperate or subpolar grassland with a sparse drought-deciduous shrub layer
  V.A.7.N.g. Medium-tall temperate or subpolar grassland with a sparse cold-deciduous shrub layer
  V.A.7.N.h. Medium-tall temperate grassland with a sparse xeromorphic (often thorny) shrub layer
  V.A.7.N.i. Short temperate or subpolar grassland with a sparse broad-leaved evergreen or semi-evergreen shrub layer
  V.A.7.N.j. Short temperate or subpolar grassland with a sparse microphyllous evergreen shrub layer
  V.A.7.N.k. Short temperate or subpolar grassland with a sparse drought-deciduous shrub layer (includes thorny shrubs)
  V.A.7.N.l. Short temperate or subpolar grassland with a sparse cold-deciduous shrub layer
  V.A.7.N.m. Short temperate or subpolar grassland with a sparse xeromorphic (evergreen and/or deciduous) shrub layer
  V.A.7.N.n. Intermittently flooded temperate or subpolar grassland with a sparse xeromorphic (evergreen and/or deciduous) shrub layer
  V.A.7.N.o. Saturated temperate or subpolar grassland with a sparse broad-leaved evergreen shrub layer
  V.A.7.N.p. Saturated temperate or subpolar grassland with a sparse cold-deciduous shrub layer
  V.A.7.N.q. Saturated temperate or subpolar grassland with a sparse microphyllous evergreen shrub layer
 
    V.A.8. Temperate or subpolar grassland with a sparse dwarf-shrub layer
  V.A.8.N.a. Short temperate or subpolar lowland grassland with a sparse needle-leaved or microphyllous dwarf-shrub layer
  V.A.8.n.b. Short temperate or subpolar lowland grassland with a sparse cold-deciduous dwarf-shrub layer
  V.A.8.N.c. Short temperate or subpolar alpine grassland with a sparse needle-leaved or microphyllous evergreen dwarf-shrub layer (e.g., dwarf-shrub meadows)
  V.A.8.N.d. Seasonally flooded temperate or subpolar grassland with a sparse needle-leaved or microphyllous dwarf-shrub layer
 
    V.A.9. Polar grassland
  V.A.9.N.a. Short sod polar grassland (including sod or mixed sod bunch grassland, e.g., sod grass tundra)
  V.A.9.N.b. Short bunch polar grassland (e.g. Eriophorum)
  V.A.9.N.c. Seasonally flooded polar grassland
  V.A.9.N.d. Saturated polar grassland with nonvascular plants admixed
 
    V.A.10. Polar grassland with a sparse shrub layer
 
    V.A.11. Polar grassland with a sparse dwarf-shrub layer
 
  V.B. Perennial forb vegetation. Perennial forbs (including ferns and biennials) generally contributing to greater than 50% of total herbaceous canopy cover
 
    V.B.1. Tropical or subtropical perennial forb vegetation
  V.B.1.N.a. Tall tropical or subtropical perennial forb vegetation
  V.B.1.N.b. Low tropical or subtropical perennial forb vegetation
  V.B.1.N.c. Semipermanently flooded tropical or subtropical perennial forb vegetation
  V.B.1.N.d. Saturated tropical or subtropical perennial forb vegetation
  V.B.1.N.e. Tidal tropical or subtropical perennial forb vegetation
 
    V.B.2. Temperate or subpolar perennial forb vegetation
  V.B.2.N.a. Tall temperate or subpolar perennial forb vegetation (e.g., tall forb meadows)
  V.B.2.N.b. Low temperate or subpolar perennial forb vegetation (e.g., Aleutian forb meadows)
  V.B.2.N.c. Intermittently flooded temperate perennial forb vegetation
  V.B.2.N.d. Temporarily flooded temperate perennial forb vegetation
  V.B.2.N.e. Semipermanently flooded temperate perennial forb vegetation
  V.B.2.N.f. Saturated temperate perennial forb vegetation
  V.B.2.N.g. Tidal temperate perennial forb vegetation
  V.B.2.N.h. Seasonally flooded temperate perennial forb vegetation
 
  V.C. Hydromorphic rooted vegetation. Non emergent graminoids or forbs structurally supported by water and rooted in substrate (e.g., pond weeds and water lilies)
 
    V.C.1. Tropical or subtropical hydromorphic rooted vegetation (without seasonal contrasts)
  V.C.1.N.a. Permanently flooded tropical or subtropical hydromorphic rooted vegetation
  V.C.1.N.b. Permanently flooded tidal tropical or subtropical hydromorphic rooted vegetation (e.g., tropical seagrass beds)
 
    V.C.2. Temperate or subpolar hydromorphic rooted vegetation
  V.C.2.N.a. Permanently flooded temperate or subpolar hydromorphic rooted vegetation
  V.C.2.N.b. Permanently flooded tidal temperate or subpolar hydromorphic rooted vegetation (e.g., temperate seagrass beds)
 
  V.D. Annual graminoid or forb vegetation
 
    V.D.1. Tropical or subtropical annual grasslands or forb vegetation
  V.D.1.N.a. Tropical or subtropical annual grasslands
  V.D.1.N.b. Tall tropical or subtropical annual forb vegetation
  V.D.1.N.c. Low tropical or subtropical ephemeral annual forb vegetation
  V.D.1.N.d. Tidal tropical or subtropical annual forb vegetation
 
    V.D.2. Temperate or subpolar annual grasslands or forb vegetation
  V.D.2.N.a. Tall temperate or subpolar annual grassland (dominated by annual graminoids)
  V.D.2.N.b. Tall temperate or subpolar annual forb vegetation (dominated by annual forbs)
  V.D.2.N.c. Low desert or subdesert ephemeral or episodic annual forb vegetation
  V.D.2.N.d. Short temperate annual grassland
  V.D.2.N.e. Low temperate intermittently exposed annual forb vegetation
  V.D.2.N.f. Temporarily flooded temperate annual forb vegetation
  V.D.2.N.g. Seasonally flooded temperate annual grassland
  V.D.2.N.h. Seasonally flooded temperate annual forb vegetation
  V.D.2.N.i. Saturated temperate annual forb vegetation
 

VI.
NONVASCULAR.   Nonvascular cover (bryophytes, non-crustose lichens, and algae) dominant (generally forming at least 25% cover). Nonvascular cover may be less than 25% where it exceeds tree, shrub, dwarf-shrub, and herb cover, respectively
 
  VI.A. Bryophyte vegetation. Bryophytes generally dominate the nonvascular cover
 
    VI.A.1. Temperate or subpolar bryophyte vegetation
  VI.A.1.N.a. Lowland bryophyte vegetation
  VI.A.1.N.b. Seasonally flooded bryophyte vegetation
  VI.A.1.N.c. Saturated bryophyte vegetation
  VI.A.1.N.d. Saturated bryophyte vegetation with a sparse tree layer (e.g., treed bogs)
  VI.A.1.N.e. Saturated bryophyte vegetation with a sparse dwarf-shrub layer (e.g., dwarf-shrub/moss tundra)
 
  VI.B. Lichen vegetation. Lichens (foliose or fruticose) generally dominate the nonvascular cover
 
    VI.B.1. Temperate or subpolar lichen vegetation
  VI.B.1.N.a. Lowland lichen vegetation
  VI.B.1.N.b. Montane/submontane temperate or subpolar lichen vegetation dominate the nonvascular cover
  VI.B.1.N.c. Lichen vegetation with a sparse tree layer
  VI.B.1.N.d. Lichen vegetation with a sparse dwarf-shrub layer
 
    VI.B.2. Tropical or subtropical lichen vegetation
  VI.B.2.N.a. Montane/submontane tropical or subtropical lichen vegetation
 
  VI.C. Alga vegetation. Algae generally dominate the nonvascular cover
 
    VI.C.1. Tropical or subtropical alga vegetation
  VI.C.1.N.a. Seasonally flooded alga vegetation
 

VII.
SPARSE VEGETATION.   Abiotic substrate features dominant. Vegetation is scattered to nearly absent and generally restricted to areas of concentrated resources (total vegetation cover is typically less than 25% and greater than 0%)
 
  VII.A. Consolidated rock sparse vegetation (cliffs, pavement, incl. lava flows). (Vegetation characterized by herbs, shrubs, trees, and/or nonvascular plants growing in fissures of rocks or walls, or growing adnate on these surfaces.)
 
    VII.A.1. Sparsely vegetated cliffs
  VII.A.1.N.a. Cliffs with sparse vascular vegetation (e.g., bromeliads in neotropics). (May have sparse to dense crustose lichens, sparse bryoids or foliose or fruticose lichens)
 
    VII.A.2. Sparsely vegetated pavement. (level/gently sloping bedrock)
  VII.A.2.N.a. Pavement with sparse vascular vegetation (May have sparse to dense crustose lichens, sparse bryoids, or foliose or fruticose lichens)
 
  VII.B. Boulder, gravel, cobble, or talus sparse vegetation (incuding a'a lava flows). (Vegetation generally characterized by herbs, and occasionally shrubs and trees on gravel or cobble substrates. Lichens are also common.)
 
    VII.B.1. Sparsely vegetated talus/scree slopes
  VII.B.1.N.a. Lowland or submontane talus/scree
  VII.B.1.N.b. Montane talus/scree
  VII.B.1.N.c. High mountain talus/scree
 
    VII.B.2. Sparsely vegetated rock flats. (boulders, cobble, or gravel)
  VII.B.2.N.a. Boulder fields
  VII.B.2.N.b. Cobble/gravel beaches and shores
  VII.B.2.N.c. Cobble/gravel flats and ridges
 
  VII.C. Unconsolidated material sparse vegetation (soil, sand, and ash). (Vegetation generally characterized by isolated herbs or occasionally shrubs.)
 
    VII.C.1. Sparsely vegetated sand dunes
  VII.C.1.N.a. Dunes with sparse herbaceous vegetation
  VII.C.1.N.b. Dunes with sparse woody vegetation
 
    VII.C.2. Sparsely vegetated sand flats
  VII.C.2.N.a. Sand flats (including storm-washed beaches)
  VII.C.2.N.b. Intermittently flooded sand beaches and shores
  VII.C.2.N.c. Temporarily flooded sand flats
  VII.C.2.N.d. Tidal sand flats (e.g., salt pannes)
 
    VII.C.3. Sparsely vegetated soil slopes
  VII.C.3.N.a. Moist slopes
  VII.C.3.N.b. Dry slopes
 
    VII.C.4. Sparsely vegetated soil flats
  VII.C.4.N.a. Soil slumps or landslides
  VII.C.4.N.b. Intermittently flooded mud flats (e.g., playa lakes)
  VII.C.4.N.c. Seasonally / temporarily flooded mud flats
  VII.C.4.N.d. Tidal mud flats
 
    VII.C.5. Sparsely vegetated ash deposits