Higher-level Physiognomic Vegetation Categories for GO & Surrounding Ecosystems

Question 1

Formation class and limits: Forest

Answer 1

> 50% crown cover of trees

>10m trees

Question 2

Forest formation sub-classes

Answer 2

Conifer Forest

and Mixed Conifer/Broadleaf Forest

Question 3

Formation class and limits: Woodland

Answer 3

10m trees

Question 4

Woodland formation sub-classes

Answer 4

Conifer woodland
Mixed woodland (GO-Pine-CDF)
Broadleaf Woodland (GO-Arbutus-Aspen)

Question 5

Formation class and limits: Savannah

Answer 5

10m trees

Question 6

Savannah formation sub-classes

Answer 6

Broadleaf savannah (Garry Oak)
Mixed Savannah (CDF-GO)
Conifer Savannah (CDF)

Question 7

Formation class and limits: Low Woodland

Answer 7

Single-stemmed species in dominant layer

3-10m trees

Question 8

Low Woodland formation sub-classes

Answer 8

Mixed Low Woodland

Broadleaf Low Woodland

Question 9

Formation class and limits: Shrubland

Answer 9

Multi-stemmed species in dominant layer (usually 20% cover of shrubs
<100% at least 1/3 must be shrubs

Question 10

Shrubland formation sub-classes

Answer 10

Evergreen Shrubland (Broom, Gorse, Juniper, Manzanita)
Mixed Shrubland
Deciduous Shrubland (Blackberry, snowberry, ocean spray, ninebark, pacific willow)

Question 11

Formation class and limits: Herbaceous Formations

Answer 11

> 20% cover herbaceous

<100% at least 1/3 must be herbaceous

Question 12

Herbaceous Formation sub-classes

Answer 12

Grass communities
Grass/Forb communities
Forb communities
Fern communities

Question 13

Formation class and limits: Moss/Lichen Formations

Answer 13

> 50% moss/lichen cover

<20% for each herbaceous and shrub

Question 14

Moss/Lichen Formation sub-classes

Answer 14

Moss communities (Dicranum, Rhacomitrium, Polytrichum, Selaginella)
Mixed moss/lichen communities
Lichen communities (Cladina and others)