Description of
Classes Used in the
This is an explanation of the values present in the
Class numbers were chosen in part to be similar to existing MIRIS Land Cover labels and their decision rule sequence does not necessarily match the numeric order (for example class 110 follows class 122 in the decision rules).
Number in parentheses following classification name is the grid value in the raster map.
I Urban
Land areas greater than 10% man-made structures including paved and gravel roads and parking lots.
121 Airports (3)
Impervious land within airport grounds, including runways.
122 Road/Parking
Roads or parking lots.
123 High Intensity Urban (2)
Land area greater than 25% solid impervious cover made from man-made materials, other than airports, roads, or parking lots.
11 Low Intensity Urban (1)
Land area is greater than 10% and less than 25% man-made structures including paved and gravel roads and parking lots.
II Agricultural
Land intensely managed for vegetation production excluding forestry.
2111 Non-vegetated Farmland (5)
Land area tilled for crop production with less than 25% currently vegetated.
2112 Row crops (6)
Vegetation consists of annual crops planted in rows (e.g. corn, soybeans).
2113/212 Forage Crops/ Non-tilled herbaceous agriculture (7)
Vegetation used for fodder production (e.g. alfalfa, hay). Also includes land used for pasture, or non-tilled herbaceous agriculture.
222 Orchards/Vineyards/Nursery (9)
Woody trees not grown for Christmas trees.
III
Less than 25% of land area is covered by tree canopy, and greater than 25% of land area is vegetated.
350 Parks/Golf Courses (13)
Maintained for recreational purposes.
320/330 Upland Shrub/Low Density Trees (12)
The combination of woody shrubs and tree canopy (woody cover) covers more than 25% of the land area.
310 Herbaceous Openland (10)
Less than 25% of land area consists of woody cover.
IV
Proportion of trees exceeds 25% of land area.
A. Upland Deciduous
Proportion of deciduous trees exceeds 60% of the canopy.
411 Northern Hardwood Association (14)
Combination of Maples, Beech, Basswood, White Ash, Cherry, Yellow Birch exceeds 60% of the canopy.
412 Oak Association (15)
Proportion of Oaks exceeds 60% of the canopy.
413 Aspen Association (16)
Proportion
of
414 Other
Proportion of any other single species exceeds 60% of the canopy.
419 Mixed
Proportion of deciduous trees exceeds 60% of the canopy.
B. Upland
Coniferous
421/422 Pines (19)
Proportion of pines exceeds 60% of the canopy.
423 Other
Proportion of non-pine upland conifers exceeds 60% of the canopy.
429 Mixed
Proportion of coniferous trees exceeds 60% of the canopy.
43
Mixed forest not falling into any other category. Proportion of conifers to deciduous ranges from 40%:60% to 60%:40%.
V. Water
50 Water (23)
Proportion of open water exceeds 75% of land area.
LOWLAND
Land is periodically flooded and/or on hydric soils.
VI.
Proportion of trees exceeds 25% of land area.
611 Lowland Deciduous
Proportion of deciduous trees exceeds 60% of the canopy.
612
Lowland Coniferous
Proportion of coniferous trees exceeds 60% of the canopy.
613 Lowland Mixed
Mixed forest not falling into any other category. Proportion of conifers to deciduous ranges from 40%:60% to 60%:40%.
VII. Non-forested Wetlands
Proportion of trees is less than or equal to 25% of land area.
621 Floating Aquatic (27)
Proportion of floating aquatic vegetation exceeds 60% of non-water cover.
622 Lowland Shrub (28)
Proportion of lowland shrub exceeds 60% of non-water cover.
623 Emergent Wetland (29)
Proportion of emergent vegetation exceeds 60% of non-water cover.
629 Mixed Non-forest Wetland (30)
Non-forested wetlands not falling into any other category.
VIII Bare/Sparsely Vegetated
Land is less than 25% vegetated.
710 Sand/Soil (31)
Land cover is formed primarily of sand or bare soil.
720 Exposed Rock (32)
Land cover is formed of solid rock.
730 Mud Flats (33)
If periodically flooded.
790 Other Bare/Sparsely Vegetated (35)