U.S.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
Techniques and Methods 2A–1
General Classification Handbook for Floodplain Vegetation in Large River Systems
By Jennifer J. Dieck and Larry R. Robinson
ABSTRACT
This handbook
describes the Long Term Resource Monitoring Program (LTRMP) General Wetland
Vegetation Classification System developed as part of a multi-state and Federal
partnership for the Upper Mississippi River System. This classification system
consists of 31 general classes and has been used to create systemic land cover/land
use maps throughout this diverse river system. In addition, it describes the
evolution of the General Wetland Vegetation Classification System, discusses
the process of creating a map, and describes each of the 31 general classes
in detail. This handbook also acts as a pictorial guide to illustrate each
of the general classes as they may appear in the field, as well as on color-infrared
aerial photographs.
CONTENTS
Abstract
Introduction
Development of the Classification System
Relation to Other Classification Systems
Discussion
Acknowledgments
References Cited
Appendix 1. Using the General Wetland Vegetation Classification System to
Describe and Monitor Land Cover
1. Acquisition of Aerial Photographs
2. Field Reconnaissance
3. Photointerpretation
4. Automation
5. Accuracy Assessment
Appendix 2. General Wetland Vegetation Classification System
Open Water (OW)
Submersed Vegetation (SV)
Rooted Floating Aquatics (RFA)
Deep Marsh Annual (DMA)
Deep Marsh Perennial (DMP)
Shallow Marsh Annual (SMA)
Shallow Marsh Perennial (SMP)
Sedge Meadow (SM)
Wet Meadow (WM)
Deep Marsh Shrub (DMS)
Shallow Marsh Shrub (SMS)
Wet Meadow Shrub (WMS)
Scrub-Shrub (SS)
Wooded Swamp (WS)
Floodplain Forest (FF)
Populus Community (PC)
Salix Community (SC)
Lowland Forest (LF)
Agriculture (AG)
Conifer (CN)
Plantation (PN)
Upland Forest (UF)
Developed (DV)
Grassland (GR)
Levee (LV)
Pasture (PS)
Roadside (RD)
Mudflat (MUD)
Sand Bar (SB)
Sand (SD)
No Photo Coverage (NPC)
Appendix 3. Classification Key for the General Wetland Vegetation Classification
System
Appendix 4. Predominant Species and Common 31 General Classes Associated with
the Genera Referred to in this Handbook
This report is available online in Portable Document Format (PDF). If you do not have the Adobe Acrobat PDF Reader, it is available for free download from Adobe Systems Incorporated.
Download the report (PDF, 27.9 MB)
Document Accessibility: Adobe Systems Incorporated has information about PDFs and the visually impaired. This information provides tools to help make PDF files accessible. These tools convert Adobe PDF documents into HTML or ASCII text, which then can be read by a number of common screen-reading programs that synthesize text as audible speech. In addition, an accessible version of Acrobat Reader 5.0 for Windows (English only), which contains support for screen readers, is available. These tools and the accessible reader may be obtained free from Adobe at Adobe Access.
For additional information contact:
Upper
Midwest Environmental Sciences Center
U.S. Geological Survey
2630 Fanta Reed Road
La Crosse, Wisconsin 54603
608-781-6221
Please visit http://www.umesc.usgs.gov/ for more information about USGS activities in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
