Standard classification system for land cover in Maine land cover coding manual

[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]

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RTIS PHILIP M. SAVAGE, DIRECTOR
STATE PLANNING OFFICE

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TECHNICAL SERVICES DIVISION
STATE PLANNING OFFICE

Alan Goodwin Director
Suanne Singer Programming Analyst
Beth Dennis Research Analyst
Roxanne Ridlon Programmer Assistant

Cover Design Kenneth Ryder

03709

STANDARD CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM FOR

LAND COVER IN MAINE

LAND COVER CODING MANUAL

Kenneth M. Curtis
-Governor

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE NOAA
COASTAL. SEFVICES CENTER
2234 SOUTH HOBSON AVENUE
CHARLESTON, SC 29405-2413

HD211.M2 583 1974
1222898
MAY 6 1997
The preparation of this report was
financially aided by a comprehensive
Property of CSC Library planning grant from the U.S. Dept.
of Housing and Urban Development

STATS OF MAINE

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

AUGUSTA. MAINE 04330

TO: All State Agencies:

Beginning on December 1, 1974, 1 am directing all State agencies to follow the
land cover code set forth in this manual for all land cover coding in Maine. In addition,
I am directing the State Contract Review Committee to disapprove proposed contracts for
State and Federal funding for State agencies in which land cover codes vary from the en-
closed official code.

With all State agencies using the enclosed.land cover code we can begin to shore
data describing land cover characteristics even though it may originate from different
sources. This will reduce the overlap and expense of State data collection.

I am asking local, regional and federal agencies collecting land cover data to use
the enclosed land cover code that is defined and explained in the Introduction to this
manual. This is of particular importance in view of recent State, Regional and Federal
interest concerning land development and its effect on the natural environment. Maine
must be ready to colleIt and tabulate land cover data that will help to enable developers
and environmentalists to analyze the total impact of land use changes on the environment.

I am happy to say that a group of State agencies have worked together to produce
the land cover code presented in this manual. This code is the first step toward. the develop-
ment of an analytical tool that may be used to measure the effect of built-up areas on the
-environment. Through cooperation in land cover identification and collection we can
achieve greater returns from our total data collection efforts than by proceeding on a piece-
meal basis.

In conclusion, I am asking the State Planning Office to maintain and update the
Maine Land Cover Code. * This will be accomplished with the advice and assistance of the
MIDAS Users' Group that represents the iriterests of those agencies which are maintaining
files in the Maine Information Display Analysis System.

Sincerely,
@
d4.
eLnneth M. Curtis
Governor

PREFACE

This Standard Classification System for Land Cover in Maine was developed by
an. inter-departmental group of planners representing State agencies that are members of
MIDAS, and who are interested in a common land cover code for the State of Maine.
The acronym, MIDAS, stands for the Maine Information Display Analysis System, a grow-
ing mechanized data bank. consisting mainly of natural resources data placed there by an
increasing number of State agencies. MIDAS is administered by the State Planning Office
with the. assistance of a MI DAS Users's Group (MUG). This group is made up of representa-
tives of those agencies that maintain one or more files in MiDAS.

A small working committee in MUG worked on the development of the following
land cover code for over six months. During the latter part of this period, the committee
met once a week to work out differences of view and to refine the definitions of the terms
used in the manual. They worked wel I together and by so doing, proved that State agencies
concerned about a particular problem could cooperate and produce a product that would be
of use to a large number of agencies.

The following cover code has been distributed to all MUG members and State and
regional. agencies concerned with land cover coding. Another manual will be published
at a later date by the State Planning Office, the result of the efforts of another working
committee of MUG, the Land Use.Coding Committee. The land use manual will set forth
a standard code for use by agencies'concerned with the use to which land is put by man
rather, than a description of the cover over the land surface as determined by photo inter-
pretation of ERTS satellite imagery or aerial photography. This type of land classification
usually requires a ground survey while data for land cover characteristics can be collected
by the more economical method of photo interpretation.

This land cover coding manual for Maine has been produced by a competent and
hard working committee of MUG. Gary Higginbottom of the Coastal Planning Division of
the State Planning Office wrote the Introduction to this manual. His work was edited by the
Land Cover Committee of the MIDAS User's Group. Each individual on this committee has
given a great deal of his time in developing the Standard Classification System For Land
Cover in Maine, as part of an interdepartmental effort to publish a land cover coding manual
that would be of use to agencies collecting land cover data. I am especially indebted to the
following persons who expe6ded a great deal of their time so that a land cover coding manual
could be made available to all of you.

Dr. Burton R. Anderson Water Resources Planning Division, State
Planning Office
Walter A. Anderson Bureau of Geology, Department of Conserva-
tion
James F. Connors Land Use Regulation Commission, Department
of Conservation

Philip L. Goggins Department of Marine Resources
Alan D. Goodwin Committee Chairman, State Planning
Office
Gary Higginbottom Division of Coastal Planning, State
Planning Office
Frederick B. Hurley Department of Inland Fisheries & Game
James P. Norris Bureau of Property Taxation, Department
of Finance. and Administration

In addition, I am indebted to all those who took their time to make a thorough
review of the Committee's Draft. Many@of their recommendations have been incorporated
into this manual thus making it more. useful to those who wish to classify and code Maine's
land cover.

Undoubtedly the real test of the code will be made in the field as technicians begin
to utilize the code in categorizing land 'Cover. When a sufficient number of needed changes
are warranted, the Land Cover Coding Committee will be reconvened to determine which
changes should be made to the land classification and coding system.

Sinc rely,

Phili M. Savage, ;17retc/tor
State Planning Office
inc re,
P 4h

I NDEX

PAG E

GOVERNOR'S LETTER .........................

PREFAC E .................................

INTRODUCTION ............................

Abstract .............................
The Nature of Land Use ................... .1 -2
Development of the Land Cover Code .......... 2 -4
Using the Cover Classification System ......... 3
LAND COVER CATEGORIES ..................... 5

Forest Land ........................... 6
Agricultural Land .............. ........ 6 -7
Wetlands ............................ 7-8
Surface Water ......................... 8
Barren Land ............................ 9
Urban or Built-up Land .................... 9
Miscellaneous ......................... 10

LAND COVER CATEGORY DEFINITIONS ............ 11

Forest Land ........................... 12
Agricultural Land ....................... 14
Wet-lands ............................. 16
Surface Water ........................... 20
Barren Land ............................ 22
Urban or Built-up Land .................... 24
Miscellaneous .......................... 26

INTRODUCTION TO THE STANDARD CLASSIFICATION'
SYSTEM FOR LAND COVER IN MAINE

Abstract

Numerous characteristics of land con be classified or mapped, and for this reason
many different land classification" systems have evolved. Land can be classified accord-
ing to the use of the land by man, by its vegetation and cover types, by ownership, by
plant and animal ecosystems, by landscape character, etc. The purpose here has been to
produce a standard system for planners and resource managers to classify land according to
a single factor, the nature.of the surface land cover.

The Standard Classification System for Land Cover in Maine and the Standard
Classification System for Land Use in Maine (in a separate publication) have been pro-
duced as a step toward making it possible for various State and Federal agencies, regional
and local planners and University groups to produce comparable classification mops of Maine's
land cover and the land use activities of Maine people. By using a single classification
system for each of these types of information, groups and agencies con share and apply infor-
mation and thus share the time and expense necessary for gathering it.

MIDAS (Maine Informat ion Display and Analysis System) provides the system for organ-
izing and storing this information. However, for inclusion in MIDAS land use and land cover
information from numerous sources must be organized into compatible categories. For this
reason, the MID -AS Users' Group (the advisory body for MI DAS) has produced standardized
land use and land cover codes for use throughout the State. Obviously different groups have
different information needs, but by fitting these needs into the standard land use and land
cover categories, data collectors can participate in an information system which allows reason-
able comparisons to be made between locations and over periods of time.

Separate land use and land cover codes have been developed because the two types of
information constitute parameters which should be identified, mapped, and evaluated separa-
tely. This publication presents and explains the land cover classification system.' The land
use system will be presented in a separate document.

The Nature of "Land Use"

The term "Land Use" is used rather loosely to refer to a broad range of concepts. Lit-
eral ly speaking, "land use" generally refers to "man's activities on land which are directly
related to the land" (Clawson and Stewart, 1965). This definition may be followed strictly in
land use inventories which are conducted through surveys on the -ground, direct observation of
on-going activities or discussions with landowners. In these cases, human activities are viewed
directly, or- their existence is confirmed by a reasonably reliable authority. Aerial photography
and remote sensing imagery have altered this situation. This imagery shows the nature of the
land surface at a single instant in time. Air photo interpreters can identify human activities
from the nature of the land surface with considerable accuracy, especially when the activity

leaves an unmistakable imprint on the land, surface. For example, a field showing parallel
furrows caused by plowing can be assumed'to indicate agricultural activities. However, in
other areas the interpreter may simply indicate the nature of the land surface because man's
activities are not present or visible in the photograph, and no solid evidence is apparent.
This can be the case for sandy lake shores Which support heavy concentrations of people only
during certain periods. Another example is that of forested areas where man's primary use of
the land may be for growth of timber, wildlife management or recreation. A single photograph
may show no conclusive evidence of such activity, and the interpreter will often simply indi-
cate the character of the land surface, in.this case forested land.

These situations make it obvious that "land use" inventori ,es have come to the point
where quite often they are indicating two different things; (1) man's activities on land, and
(2) "the vegetational and artificial constructions covering the land surface" (Burley, 1961).

Marion Clawson and Charles L. Stewart offer sound advice for preparation of a land
data system,
".. . the data collection, tabulation, and summarization should not mix indiscrimin-
ately different ideas' about land in one syste.m or plane. Each concept should be kept pure,
as far as possible, and data on each idea or concept kept separate, up to the stage of analysis"
(Clawson and Stewart, 1965).

Rather than mix and confuse two separate and distinct characteristics of land we have
chosen to produce two separate systems for land classification; a land use code for man's
activities on the land and a land cover code to indicate the nature of the land surface itself.
This approach is designed to minimize the confusion involved in deciding how to classify land
areas according to conventional classification methods which often mix the concepts of land
use and land cover together. The system also wi.11 hopefully provide products which fit the
needs of a wider range of information users. Thus we can avoid the problems inherent in a
single classification system which almost fits the needs of everyone but does not really fit the
needs of anyone.

Development of the Land Cover Code

This. system for classifying land cover in Maine has been developed by those members
of the MIDAS Users' Group who use. land cover information as an integral part of their plan-
ning and management work. The objective has been to devise a classification system which
categorizes the land surface by major characteristics and by minor traits which can be dis-
tinguished using aerial photography. The intention has been to ovoid confusing with the sys-
tem for classifying land use in Maine, and to refer to man's past and present activities only
as they are the major factors which determin the character of Maine's land cover or surface.

The system employs a four digit code consisting of seven first order categories. These
are general, classes of land cover which in turn are broken into more detailed subcategories at
the second third and fourth levels. First level categories are designed to be as consistent as
p.ossible with the Land Use Classification System for Use with Remote Sensor Data.being develop-
ed for national use by the Federal Government Interagency Steering Committee on Land Use
Information and Classification. (The national system is described in the U.S. Geological Survey,
Circular 671).

-2

The Maine' land cover categories are essentially organized accordi.ng to the nature
of surface materials and characteristics, such as forest vegetation, agricultural vegetation
or plowed lands, wetland vegetation, water, bare soil and rock, unnatural materials.and
conditions that are built or maintained by man and miscellaneous cover types that are not
covered by the other categories. Most of these categories are relatively consistent with the
proposed national land use system. However, the breakdown of the "Urban or Built-Up
Land" cat'egory differs significantly from the corresponding category in the proposed national
code. 'In the proposed national code the category "Urban and Bui It-Up Land" is subdivided
into the categories of: "Residential" land, "Commercial and Services," "Industrial,."
"Transportation, Communications and Utilities," "Industrial and Commercial Complexes,"
'!Mixed" uses and "Other" . These categories represent land use activities rather than cover
types, and therefore they correspond more closely to the use code than the cover code.
Further explanation of the Maine's cover classes can be found in the Land Cover Category
Definitions", section of this report following the "Introduction".

Using the Cover Classificaticvn System-

The manner in which the code is used depends upon the needs of the user and upon
the scale of aerial photography. Essentially the first and second level categories are intend-
ed for generalized analysis or for use with small-scale photos and maps where detai I is not
needed. * When greater detail is necessary, second and third and fourth level categories
should be used.

When small-scale or high altitude photography or imagery is used, relatively detail-
ed land cover types are not observable, and thus they cannot be delineated separately from
surrounding land types. An example is the situation of roads and highways. The category
"Pavement and Transportation Facilities" defines the nature of the land cover where roads
and highways exist., However, narrow strips of pavement "e hardly distinguishable on small
aerial photographs or cannot be delineated as a significant area of separate cover type
on a small scale map. In such a case, the major cover type(s) surrounding the highway would
be mapped as that cover. type which surrounds the road. This policy also covers any other
cases of small parcels of isolated cover types. The feasibility of delineating such areas as
separate units depends upon the scale of mapping and of photo imagery.

For foresters and others who require forestland inventories by individual species or
by species associations, this can be accomplished while being consistent with the cover
classification system. Codes for individual natural forest and plantation species are avail-
able in MIDAS, and,these categories can be simply related to the proper cover category.
For example, a natural stand classified as white pi-ne under Major Forest Type Edit 223, must
be further classified as " Natural Forest, Softwood" (1120) PN. Similarly, more specific cate-
gories may be developed when needed under the other categories of 'this code- For example,
specific cr6ps such as potato land, corn land, etc., may be designated under code number
2110, "Tilled Land."

Small scale maps are maps on which the given roads, structures, waterways, topography
and other physical features appear small. Large scale maps are maps on which the given
physical features appear large. A map with a 1 "=200 foot scale is therefore a larger scale
map with more detai I than a map at a scale of 1 -5, 000 feet.

-3 -

The -general philosophy behind the "Buildings and Structures" category deserves
some explanation. The "Urban or Bui It-Up Land" category deals with situations in which
the cover characteristics are essentially the results of man's concentrated and relatively
permanent activities. "Building and Stru ctures" are one result of such activities, and
therefore they are considered here as a cover type. The judgment-of the land cover
committee was that the most logical and generally useful subdivision of the "Buildings and
Structures" category would be to categories of density: low density, medium density and
high density. These densities, as they are defined, relate to the situation in Maine.
Relative to Maine, downtown Gardiner is "high density".. In the context of another state
this might not be, the case. After a period of experience in use of the land cover code in
Maine, photo interpreters will be able to give a more specific measurement of density than
the generalized categories now used.

Use of the "Buildings and Structures" category also offers an example of the use of
the four -level category system. The land cover interpreter must first designate those areas
which fit the definition of "Urban or Built-Up Land". Within these areas he can delineate
those sections which fit the definition of "Buildings and Structures" . If his mapping scale
and his information requirements are such as to make a further breakdown feasible, he can
further designate the density of development within the "Buildings and Structures" land areas.
By doing this, the interpreter achieves a logical definition of density of buildings and struc-
tures.-

The definitions of the cover categories are intended as a guide for the land cover
interpreter as well as an explanation for the person using the cover data, The definitions
should enable the person classifying cover types to make interpretations based upon readily
observable land surface characteristics. References are made throughout to confusing cir-
cumstances,, apparent overlaps of categories and other problems. For these reasons, all
persons using any part of the land cover code or the information generated by it should study
the entire set of definitions before proceeding. Many problems will undoubtedly arise as the
land cover and land use classification systems are used. For this reason, both codes are in-
tended to be flexible and open to changes. However, in order to keep the code up-to-date
and consistent for all users, proposed changes should be submitted to the State Planning
Office for review by the MIDAS Users' Group.

References

Anderson, James R., Hardyi Ernest E., and Roach, John T., A Land Use Classification
System for Use with Remote-Sensor Data, Washington, D.C., U.S. Geological Survey for
the Inter-Agency Steering Committee on Land Use Information-and Classification.

Burley, Terence M., 1961, "Land Use or Land Utilization?" Professional Geographer,
V. 13, no. 6, p. .18-20.

Clawson, Marion, and Stewart, Charles L., 1965, Land Use Information: A Critical Survey
of U.S. Statistics Including Possibilities for Greater Uniformit Baltimore, Md., The Johns
Hopkins Press for Resources for the Future Inc., pp.29, 161.

-4-

LAND COVER CATEGORIES

-5-

STATE OF MAINE
LAND COVER CODING SYSTEM

1000 FOREST LAND

1100 Natural Forest*

1110 Hardwood

1120 Softwood

1130 Mixed Growth Predominantly Softwood

1140 Mixed Growth Predominantly Hardwood

1200 Forest Land Plantations*

1210 Hardwood Plantations

1220 Softwood Plantations

1230 Mixed Plantation Predominantly Softwood

1240 Mixed Plantation Predominantly Hardwood

1300 Other Forest Land

1310 Alders

1320 Scrub

1330 Insect or Disease Damaged Land

1340 Burned Areas

1350 Clear Cuts

1360 Forest Nurseries

2000 AGRICULTURAL LAND

2100 Active Agricultural Land

2110 Tilled Land

See Major Forest type codes in MIDAS for more specific classifications of forest
and forest land. plantations.

-6-

2120 Field

2130 Blueberry Land

2140 Orchards & Vineyards

2150 Horticultural Nurseries

2160 Barnyards and Feed Lots

.2170 Other

2200 Abandoned Agricultural Land

22TO Abandoned Field Reverting to Softwoods

2220 Abandoned Field Reverting to Alders

2230 Abandoned Field Reverting to Poplar

2240 Abandoned Field Reverting to Alder-Poplar- Grey Birch,

2250 Abandoned Field Reverting to Mixed Growth

2260 Abandoned Agricultural Land Being Reclaimed

2270 Abandoned Orchard

2280 Blueberry Land - Unmanaged

3000 WETLANDS*

3100 Inland Fresh Wetlands

3110 Seasonally Flooded Basins or Flats

3120 Inland Fresh Meadow

3130 Inland Shallow Fresh Marsh

3140 Inland Deep Fresh Marsh

3150 Shrub Swamp

3160 Wooded Swamp

3170 Bog

For further irmation concerning the categories under Wetlands see the Official
Maine Wetlands Classification (Edit #222) in MIDAS.

-7-

3200 Coastal Wetlands

3210 Coastal Shallow Fresh Marsh

3220 Coastal Deep Fresh Marsh

3230 Coastal Salt Meadow

3240 Regularly Flooded Salt Marshes

3300 Intertidal Land

3310 Unvegetated Tidal Flats

3320 Vegetated Tidal Flats

3330 Unvegetated Ledge

3340 Vegetated Ledge

3350 Unvegetated Rocky Shore

3360 Vegetated Rocky Shore

3370 Sand or Gravel Beach

3380 Other

4000 SURFACE WATER

4100 FlowingWaters

4110 River (Major Flowing water)

4120 Stream (Minor flowing water)

4130 Intermittent Brooks

4200 Standing Waters

4210 Lake (Great Pond)

4220 Pond (Minor Surface)

4230 Beaver Flowage

4300 Tidal Waters

4310 Bays and Estuaries

4320 Coastal Open Fresh Water

4330 Open Marine Waters
8 -

5000 BARREN LAND

5100 Naturally Exposed Land

5110 . Bedrock.

5120, Gravel

5130 Sand

5140 Boulder Fields

5150 Rock Slides

5160 Other

5200 Unnaturally exposed Land

5210 Cleared Land

5220 Quarries or open pit mines

5230 Sand or Gravel Pits

5240 Strip Mines

5250 Sand or Gravel fill

@260 Spoil or tailings

5270 Other

-6000 URBAN OR BUILT-UP LAND

6j00 Buildings and Structures

6110 Low Density

6120 Medium Density

6130 High Density

6200 Pavements and Transportation Facilities

6300 Rights-of-Way or Pipelines

6400 Open

6410 Trash and Debris

6420 Vegetated

6430 Other

9 -

7000 MISCELLANEOUS

7100 Coastal Scrub

7200 Other

- 10-

LAND COVER CATEGORY DEFMITIONS

1000 FOREST LAND

Forest land consists of land arem dominated by the growth of forest trees and other
woody vegetation such as alders, scrub and nursery areas. Forest lands also consist of areas
that show indications of recent growth of forest trees which include burns and cutovers.
Forest tree growth includes natural stands, plantations and insect damaged areas. Forest
trees are woody plants that have a well-developed stem and grow to more than 12 feet in
height at maturity.

In classifying forest land, the question will arise as to how to classify roads. For
the purpose of this land cover classification system, roads will be included within the
associated and abutting land cover types when the smallest mappable unit is insufficient to
permit their delineation. However, when the scale is sufficient to permit delineation of
roads, they should be identified separately and placed in the proper cover category. ("Pave-
ment and Transportation Foci I ities, Category 6200") - Natural forest, forest land plantations
and other forest land make up "Forest Land."

I 100 Natura I Forest

Natural forest land consists of areas covered by naturally regenerated forest
trees which are randomly spaced,in stands. A "stand" of forest trees means a con-
tiguous group of trees sufficiently uniform in species, arrangement of age classes,
and condition to be identif 'ied as a homogeneous and distinguishable unit. In order
to qualify as a natural forest, howeverl there must be sufficient numbers of trees to
produce an approximate 10 percent crown closure over the area to be classified.

I I 10 Hardwood

Natural hardwood forest lands are characterized by stands of trees
with broad leaved foliage that are bare in the winter time and consist of
broad rounded crowns. Larch, even though it is bare in the winter time,
is not included as a hardwood. Over 75 percent of the crown closure in an
area to be classified must be hardwood in order for the area to be coded as
a natural hardwood forest.

1120 Softwood

Natural softwood forest lands consist of stands of coniferous trees
with needles or scale-like leaves that have conical shaped crowns. Over
75 percent of the crown closure in a stand must be softwood in order for
the area to be classified as natural softwood forest land. Larch is included
as a softwood.

12 -

1130 Mixed Growth Predominantly Softwood

A Natural mixed stand of hardwood and softwood forest trees with
the softwoods comprising 50 to 75 percent of the crown closure.

.1140 Mixed Growth Predominantly Hardwood

A natural mixed stand of hardwood and softwood forest trees with
the hardwoods comprising 50 to 75 percent of the crown closure.

1200 Forest Land Plantations-

Forest Land Plantations consist of stands of forest trees in rows that have been
planted in this fashion by man. Plantations are distinguished 'by regularly spaced trees
of uniform height and shape. Plantations may also be identified by the predominant
type of tree grown such as Pine, Spruce, Douglas Fir, Balsam Fir, Larch and Poplar.
Even aged natural forest stands do not display regular spacing in rows and older plan-
tations may not be distinguishable. from even *aged natural stands. In that case, older
plantations would be classified as natural forest land.

1210 Hardwood Plantations

Plantation forest lands in which over 75. percent of the crown closure
is hardwood (see definition for "hardwood" I 110).

1220 Softwood. Plantations

Plantation forest lands in which over 75 percent of the crown closure
is softwood (see definitionfor "softwood" 1120).

1230 Mixed Plantation Predominantly Softwood

A mixed plantation stand of hardwood and softwood forest trees with
the softwoods comprising 50 to 75 percent of the crown closure.

1240 Mixed Plantation Predominantly Hardwood
Amixed plantation stand of hardw 'ood and softwood forest trees with
the hardwoods comprising 50 to 75 percent of the crown closure.

1300 Other Forest Land

Other forest land consists of areas other than natural forest or forest land
plantations supporting or showing evidenceof recent woody vegetation, or displaying
special conditions of forest trees. Areas supporting woody vegetation consist of alders,
scrub, cutover and similar areas. Special condition areas consist of insect and dis-
ease damaged trees, burned over areas and forest nurseries.

1310 Alders

An area predomina 'ntly covered by alders. A stand of alders can
be distinguished from "Abandoned Field Reverting to Aldere' by the lack of
field grass and weeds.

1320 Scrub

A mixed stand of small woody plants without evidence of cutting
where field grass is not in evidence and woody vegetation is prevalent.
Scrub can be distinguished from "Reverting Field" by the lack of field
grass and weeds.

1330 Insect.or Disease Damaged Land

An area of forest trees predominantly damaged by insect pests or
disease. These areas may be distinguised by groups of trees without foliage,
that are dead when surrounding conditions appear normal. Insect or disease
damaged forest land may also be distinguished by an interspersion of defoli-
ated, and dead trees with normal, healthy trees.

1340 Burned Areas

An area that has been burned with conspicuous loss of forest trees and
crown cover. It is an area of burned trees where all or most trees are dead.
Patches of exposed mineral soil or boulders may be observed in these areas.

1350 Clear Cuts

Land area where forest trees have been removed with less than 10 percent
of the forest cover remaining. Evidence of removal includes a pattern of "skid
roads" and "landings," as well as slash deposits. "Skid roads" are the paths
over which the timber is pulled, and "landings".are the temporary storage
locations for the timber where mineral soil has been exposed.

1360 Forest Nurseries

Land area used for growing forest trees from seed that wi I I later be
transplanted into plantations. Forest nurseries show a pattern of beds, paths,
roads, piping and other accessories needed for the culture of trees.

2000 AGRICULTURAL LAND

Agricultural land includes areas actively or recently utilized for the growth of food
and fibre for man and livestock. These areas may be tilled, grazed, or managed for crops
and usually are open fields or bare ground. Included are lands reverting to bush and forest
that still may be distinguished from other categories by evidence of field grass and weeds.

2100 Active Agricultural Land

Land actively managed to grow crops of food and fibre., This includes land
actively used for row crops, grains, grazing, berries, orchards, nurseries, and feed
lots.

2110 Tilled Land

Agricultural land that shows indications of having been plowed and/or harrowed
because of the flatness of slope, and pattern of furrows. Included are cultivated field
grass or grain and row crop land.

2120 Field

Agricultural field consists of grassland and uncultivated pasture or wild hayland.

2130,Blueberry Land

Land predominantly covered with blueberry bushes and showing signs of being
managed, such as evidence of burning and/or a pattern of roads.

2140 Orchards & Vineyards

Open land with a regular pattern of fruit trees and/or grape vinesbf uniform
height and spacing.

2150. Horticultural Nurseries

Characterized by beds of closely spaced seedlings in association with areas of
widely spaced plants with a variety of sizes and shapes. There will also be pathst
roads, piping, ponds and other accessories needed for the growth and care of the plants
found in these areas.

2160 Barnyards and Feed Lots

Enclosed areas for the holding of livestock and/or the gathering, feeding and
rearing of farm animals, usually associated with a farm type building.

-2170 Other

Any other agricultural land cover type that may be distinguished by signs of
management.

2-200 Abandoned Agricultural Land

Agricultural land that has been used in the past which is reverting to shrubs
and tree species. This category may be distinguished from forest land "scrub" by the
existence of field grass, and weeds and/or the remains of a regular pattern of field
boundaries. This general definition also includes abandoned agricultural -land being
reclaimed.

15-

2210 Abancloned Field Revertin'q to Softwoods

Agricultural land that has reverted primarily to pine, spruce, fir, hemlock
or other softwoods.

2220 Abandoned Field Revertinq to Alders

Agricultural land that has reverted primarily to Alders.

22 30 Abandoned. Field Reverting to Poplar

Agricultural land that has reverted primarily to poplar.

2240 Abandoned Field Revertirig to Alder4pplar-Grjay Birch

An abandoned field reverting to a mixed growth of Alder-Poplar-Grey Birch.

2250 Abandoned Field Reverting to_Mixed Growth

An abandoned field revert-ing to a random mixture of trees, bushes and shrubs.

2260 Abandoned Agricultural Land Being ReWmed

Abandoned agricultural land in the process of being cleared evidenced by the
cutting, piling, and bulldozing of trees, bushes and shrubs.

2-270 Abandoned Orchard

Land evidencing regular patterns of fruit trees and/or grope vines of uniform
height and spacing in which extensive undergrowth indicates a lack of management.

2280 Blueberry Land - Unmanaged
Land predominantly cove@ red with blueberry bushes showing no signs of mana-
gement such as roads or burning.

3000 WETLANDS*

Inland and coastal areas characterized by a waterlogged soil. This soil may be reg-
ularly or permanently flooded by up to three feet of water. Any forest types associated with
wetlands are to be either coded as a forest type (see Forestland) or as wetland (see Wetland).
In wetlands, herbaceous vegetation characteristic of aquatic conditions as wel I as drier site
grasses such as sedges and rushes may be observed. Various wetland types are likely to occur
along the peripheries of open fresh water. These should be delineated and typed, scale
permitting. (This category excludes wetland Type 5, Inland open fresh water and wetland
type 14, Coastal open fresh water. These are included in the open fresh water category).

Additional clarification of Wetland characteristics can be found in Inland Fisheries and
Game's, "Manual for Maine Wetlands Inventory."

16-

31.00 Inland Fresh Wetlands

- Inland fresh wetlands are wetlands influenced by fresh non tidal water.
These areas consist of flat areas of waterlogged soils. These soils may be regularly
or permanently flooded by up to three feet of fresh water. Characteristic vegetation
consists of grasses, shrubs, sedges, rushes! tamarack, black spruce, balsam firs,
red maple and black ash. Alder, willow and dogwood may predominate in the
drier areas. (Wetland type 5. "Inland Open. Fresh Water" is excluded from the
wetland categories).

3110 Seasona I I y F I coded Basi ns or F I ats*

These flats occur in upland depressions, wh ich may fill with water
during periods of heavy rain or melting snow, and along,river courses, where
flooding ordinarily occurs in late fall, winter or spring. The soil is covered
with water or is waterlogged during variable seasonal periods, but is generally
well drained during the growing season. Herbaceous vegetation, characteristic
of aquatic and drier site conditions such as grasses, sedges and rushes, pre-
dominate in these areas.

3120, Inland Fresh Meadow (Type

These meadows often fill shallow lake basins or potholes. They may
also be found bordering the landward.side of shallow marshes. The soil is
waterlogged to within a few inches of the surface during the growing seasons.
Characteristic vegetation include's various aquatic grasses, sedges and rushes.

3130 Inland Shallow Fresh Marsh (Type

Shallow marshes may nearly fill shallow lake ba'sins or potholes, or they
may border the landward side of deep fresh marshes occupying such depressions.
The soil, normally waterlogged during the growing season, may be flooded with
as much as six inches of water. Common plant species found in northern regions
are plume grass, rice cutgrass, carex and giant burreed. Various other marsh
plants (cattails, arrowheads, pickerelweed and smartweeds) may also be found.
Hummocks are generally characteristic of these wetlands in contrast to Inland
deep fresh areas.

.3140 Inland Deep Fresh Marsh (Type 4)

These marshes often occupy shallow lake basins and potholes or they
may border open water occurring in such areas. The soil is- covered with six
inches to three feet of water during the growing season. The vegetation is
interspersed with open water and consists mainly of cattails, plume grass,
spikerushes in the shallow areas and wild rice, pondweeds, duckweeds coon-
tail and spatterdock in the deeper, open areas..

The term, "type," refers to wetland types as identified in the "Manual for Maine Wetlands
I nventory.

17-

3150 Shrub Swomp,(TXpe 6)

Shrub swamps occur primarily along sluggish streams. The soil is
generally waterlogged, but many be covered with a foot or more of water.
Alder and dogwood predominate on the drier soils. Willow,'buttonbush
and sweet gale characterize the wetter sites.

al.60 Wooded Swamp (Type 7)

These swamps occur along sluggish streams, on flat uplands, and in
shallow lake basins and potholes. The soil is normally waterlogged but may
be seasonally covered wit 1h as much as one foot or more of water. (When
such areas are flooded for a period of one or more years, the trees die and
the site reverts to a meadow association). Northern swamps are composed
of tamarack, block spruce, balsam fir, arborvitae (cedar), red maple, and
black, ash. The coniferous swamps usually have a thick carpeting of mosses,
deciduous swamps often support duckweeds, smartweeds, and other herbaceous;
vegetation.

3170 Bo_q (Type 8)

Bogs occur most often in shallow lake basins, and potholes, along
sluggish streams, and on flat uplands. The soil is generally saturated and
supports a spongy ground-cover of mosses or other plant material. Vegetation
may be woody, herbaceous and interspersed with open water. Northern
representatives include Labrador-tea, leatlier-leaf, cranberries, carex,
cottongrass, sweet gale and sphagnum moss. Stunted black spruce and
tamarack may also occur.

3200 Coastal Wetlands

Coastal wetlands are salt and fresh water wetlands influenced by tidal action.
Wetland type 19, (tidal flats) and Wetland type 14, "Coastal open fresh water" are
excluded from coastal wetland categories.

32-10 Coastal Shallow Fresh Marsh (Type 12)

These marshes occur along tidal rivers and abut or are adjacent to
the landward side of deeper marshes. The soil is waterlogged and may be
flooded with as muc 'h as six inches of water at high tide. Vegetation con-
sists of various grasses and sedges, cattails, arrowheads, smartweeds, and
arrow-arum.

3220 Coastal Deep Fresh Marsh Qype, 13)

These deep marshes occur primarily along tidal rivers. During the
growing season the soil is covered with six inches to three feet of water at
average high tide. Common plants found are cattails,.wild rice, pickerel-
weed, and spatterdocks; pondweeds, widgeon grass, and other submersed
species often occur in marsh openings.

3230 Coastal Salt Marsh (Type, 16)

Salt meadows border the landward side of salt marshes, or open water.
the soil 'is always saturated during the growing season but is rarely inundated
by tidal water. Indigenous plant species are salt meadow cordgrass (Spartina
patens) and block rush; common three-square occurs in fresher areas.

3240 Regularly Flooded Salt Marshes (Type 18)

Salt marshes occur most often along coastal bays. At avWge higb
tide during the growing season, the soil is covered with six inches or more
of water. The predominant plant species is saltmarsh cordgrass (Spartina
alterniflora). Open water areas often support widgeon gross, eelgrass, and
Sago'pondweed.

3300 Intertidal Watrers

Land located between high and low tide water levels excluding coastal marshes
and meadows (3200). This category includes Type 19 (Tidal flats) included in categories
3310 and 3320 below.

3310 Unvege.tated Tidal Flats

A wide expanse of intertidal area ranging from a blue clay color to
a sand color with possible small isolated areas of vegetation. However, the
overall impression is of a non-vegetated area. Near the low tide level,
boulders, cobbles and large fragmented rocks may be observed.

3320 Vegetated Tidal Flats

A wide expanse of intertidal flats characterized by vegetative cover.
Although large isolated areas may be without vegetation, the general impression
is one of continuous vegetative cover. Fragmented rocks, cobbles and boulders
with vegetative cover may be observed near the low water mark. The vegetation
covering these flats may consist of intertidal eelgrass, rockweed or algae.
Such vegetation distinguishes these flats from coastal marshes and meadows (3200).

19-

3330 Unvegetated Ledge

An intertidal area consisting of bedrock outcroppings without
vegetation.

3340 Vegetated Ledge

An intertidal area consisting of bedrock outcroppings with vegetation
near the low water mark.

3350 Unvegetated Rocky Shore

A steep intertidd area consisting of large aggregates of boulders,
rocks and cobbles.

3360 Vegetated Rocky Shore

A steep intertidal area consisting of vegetation covering large aggre-
gates of boulders, rocks and cobbles.

3370 Sand or Gravel Beach

A gently sloping area consisting of sand, gravel or cobbles without
vegetation. This sand or gravel beach may progress toward a mud tidal flat.

3380 Other

All other intertidal areas not defined by the previous categories or by
the "Coastal Wetlands" Categori es.

4000 SURFACE WATER

Land covered by water most or all of the year. This category contains those portions
of rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, beaver flowages, bays and estuaries tha,t are free of vegetation.
This category includes wetland type 5, "I'niand open fresh water", and wetland type 14,
"Coastal open fresh water". Various wetland types are likely to occur along the peripheries
of open fresh water. These should be delineated and typed as wetlands if imagery and scale
permit.

4100 FlowinIg Water

A surface water within a stream channel that has a perceptibl e f low. Such
waters are commonly referred to as rivers, streams and brooks. A stream channel is
a channel between observed banks created by the action of surface water. It is
characterized by the lack of vegetation, and the presence of a bed devoid of top-
soil, but comprised of waterborne deposits or parent material.

_20-

4110 River

A flowing water down stream from the point of which it provides
drainage for a watershed of 25 square miles or more.

4120 Stream

A permanently flowing water that drains less than 25 square miles of
land. This includes any flowing water area upstream from the point at which
it becomes a river.

4130 Intermittent Brooks

A stre a*m channel carrying water only during a part of the year.

4200 Standing Waters

A body of surface water that has no perceptible flow and is relatively permanent
in nature. Such bodies of water are commonly referred to as man-made or natural lakes
or ponds. Major beaver flowages should also be classified in.this category.

4210 Lake (Great Pond)

An open, standing body of non7vegetated water larger than 10 acres
in size. Various wetland types are likely to occur along the peripheries of
open fresh water. These should be delineated and typed as wetlands if imagery
and scale permit. Wetland type 4 is excluded "Deep fresh marsh." This wet-
land type may be found under cover category 3140, " Inland deep fresh marsh."

4220 Pond (Minor-Surface')

The definition of a pond is the same as a lake except it is less than
1.0 acres in size.

4230 Beaver Flowage

A pond characterized by impoundment by a beaver dam.

4300,Tidal.Waters

Waters that customarily ebb and flow as a result of tidal action.

4310 Bas and Estuaries

Tidal waters partially enclosed by river banks or headlands with a
peripheral vegetation characteristic of the marine (saltwater) environment.

4320 Coastal qpen Fresh Water

Tidal fresh waters occurring in tidal rivers with a peripheral vegetation
characteristic of fresh water.

-21

4330 Open Marine Waters

Water areas seaward from those areas classified as bays and estuaries.

5000 BARREN LAND

Barren land has little or no vegetation or other permanent signs of life. This may be
because the land is naturally unsuited for'plants or permanent man-made structures, or because
the land has been stripped bare by man..

5100 Naturally E.)Sposed Land

Naturally exposed land lacks vegetative cover because naturally occurring
conditions prevent the establishment of such a cover. If development were to occur'
on such barren land, the land would be classified according to the type and density
of development. Naturally exposed land can be further classified according to the
nature of the material which is@exposed.

5110. Bed rock

A bare, solid rock or ledge.

5120 Gravel

An unconsolidated, loose material made up of stones or pebbles.

5130 Sand

An unconsolidated or loose material made up of sand grains.

5140 Boulder Fields

Land surface areas which are covered only by rocks that are larger
than 3" in diameter.

5150 Rock Slides

Undeveloped and unvegetated land surface areas which are covered
by talus, or rock fragments which have fallen from a cliff or steep slope.

5160 Other Naturally Exposed Land

Other naturally exposed lands are identified by exposed materials not
mentioned above. Such materials might include silt, clay, mud, etc. not
identified in other categories of the land cover code.

-22 -

5200 Unnaturdl!y. F_@_poseO Land

Land areas which have lost their vegetative cover due to man's
construction or mining activities. Such areas can be distinguished from
naturally exposed areas by evidence of bull-dozing operations, digging,
blasting or dumping of fill.

5210 Cleared Land

Land areas-from which all vegetation has been cleared and where
the soi Ihas been exposed. This category includes lands which are temporarily
bare or on which -.development is starting. In many cases this land type would
represent a temporary situation, being followed closely by construction of
buildings, parking lots or roads. When a sparse pattern of weeds and brush
may be observed, this area should be classified as "Cleared Land." When
the growth is sufficiently dense, this area should be placed in the appropriate
land cover category.

5220 Quareies or open pit mines

Land areas that are characterized by a bare bedrock surface which
has been obviously blasted., dug or cut for removal of stone or minerals. In
Maine, the most prevalent quarries are granite and limestone quarry operations.
Note that shaft mining operations do not influence the character of the land
surface in the same manner as stone quarries and open pit mines. Service and
maintenance structures located on the surface that are connected with shaft
mining operations may be classified as "Urban or Built-up Land," (6000).Spoil
and tailings, if any, should be classified as "Other" (5260).

5230 Sand or Gravel Pits

Areas where excavations have been made for the purpose of removing
sand or gravel for construction purposes.

5240 Strip Mines

Excavations which have removed surface vegetation and soil cover
for the purpose of removing shallow subsurface minerals.

5250 Sand or Gravel Fill

Land areas composed of loose unvegetated construction fill brought to
the site. These areas may be distinguished by an unnatural landform rising
above the natural elevation of the surrounding land.

5260 Spoil or Tailings

Accumulations of waste materials separated from ore rocks associated
with mine operations.

23 -

5270 Other

All other materials not covered in the above categories.

6000.URBAN OR BUILT-UP LAND

Urban or Built-Up Land is composed of areas where the major factors which determine
the character of the land surface are mani,s structures, facilities, unnatural surface materials,
and the construction and continuous use of such facilities. Included in this category are cities,
towns, villages, strip developments along highways, transportation, power and communications
facilities, industrial parks, mills, parking lots, shopping centers, recreation facilities, mining
facilities and structures, and associated land such as lawns, yards, gardens and other similar
areas. In some situations, small blocks of undeveloped land may be isolated (surrounded on
all sides) in the midst of built-up areas. In most cases these should be included in the Urban
.or Built-up category as open space within the developed area. This judgmentl however, will
depend on the scale and needs of mapping. Similarly, individual small buildings and associa-
ted land areas or small roads, which are isolated amidst an expanse of forestland, wetland,
barren land or agricultural land need not be placed in the Urban or Built-Up category unless
the scale of mapping is such that the developed land can be mapped as a distinguishable unit.
The Urban or Built-Up category takes precedence over others when the criteria for more than
one category are observed. For instance,@ a built-up areas that has sufficient tree cover to
meet "Forest Land' criteria would be classified as "Urban or Built-Up."
Once an area has been categorized as "Urban or Bui It-Up Land," that area can be
further classified by the nature of the development such as Buildings and Structures, Pavement
and Transportation Facilities, Rights-of-Way or Pipelines and Open Land.

6100 Buildings and Structures

This category includes all land areas within the "Urban or Built-Up" category
in which the land is dominated by buildings (houses, barns, garages, stores, factories,
etc.), structures (towers, machines,. silos, grain elevators and so forth) and the associated
areas directly influenced by the construction and use of the buildings and structures
(maintained yards, lawns, gardens, and driveways, etc.) An area defined as "buildings
and structures" may include patches of other land types (forest land, agricultural land,
etc.) that are too small to be delineated.

Once an area has been properly classified as "Urban or Built-Up Land-Buildings
and Structures," that area can be 'further qualified according to the density of buildings
and structures with their associated land. The map scale will determine the extent to
which buildings and structures and associated land can be interpreted as dominating
the -land surface. (Please see, "Introduction.") We realize that specific coverage
densities for each of the following density categories can eventually be more accurately
defined according to the percentage of structural coverage within each density. However,
photo interpreters have not as yet had enough experience in working with this classifica-
tion system to allow such a specific breakdown at this time.

-24-

6110 Low Densit

Built-up areas with a sparse pattern of buildings and structures sep-
arated by large areas of associated land and/or small patches of other types
-(See definition 6100). The interpreter must avoid including land which is so
sparsely developed as to include mappable areas in which buildings, struc-
tures and associated land are not the dominant characteristics of the land
surface.

6120 Medium Density

Built-up areas where buildings and structures are. located rather close
to one another but are separated by associated land which is vegetated (lawnsf
trees, etc.) Medium density areas would normally include groups of closely
related structures as in village centers, subdivisions or urban fringe areas.

6130 High Densit

.Urban areas.dominated by buildings and structures which are located
directly adjacent to one another and where virtually no traces of vegetation
can be seen between buildings or between buildings and pavement. This
situation usually occurs in industrial or commercial downtown areas and along
some strip developments, Small. roads and parking lots can. be distinguished
separately as "Pavements and Transportation Facilities" (6200) if the scale of
imagery and maps is sufficient to oermit this. If the scale is not sufficient,
however, service roads should be includedwithin the "buildings -and structures -
high density categories".

6200 Pavements and Transportation Facilities

Includes roads, highways, parking lots, railroads, air strips and associated
land such as median strips and shoulders of roadsk highways, runways, service roads
and similar areas. When map and-imagery scale is insufficient to permit delineation
of roads, they should be included in the adjacent cover types.

6300 Rights-of-Wqy -or Pipelines

Continuous paths or strips of scrub, field or other land cover types where the
'vegetation has been controlled for utility, pipe, power and/or communication lines.

6400 Open

Urban or built-up areas which have been altered or developed for a relatively
intensive use which does not require buildings, structures, pavement or other facilities.
Open lands can be characterized by being vegetated or non-vegetated. Associated
buildings and structures may be included within the open land category when the map-
ping scale is insufficient to permit their separate delineation as buildings and structures
(6100).

-25 -

6410.Trash and Debris

Areas covered by an accumulation of items dispersed in random
patterns. This would include areas such as junkyards and dumps.

6420 Vqgetated

Open land within urban or built-up areas that is vegetated. This
would include areas.such as golf courses, cemeteries, urban parks, ski slopes,
etc.

6430 Other

Other urban b.uilt-.up-open land which is not appropriately defined
by any of the above categories.

7000 MISCELLANEOUS

Land cover not appropriately defined by any of the above categories

7100 Coastal Scrub

Areas of low herbaceous growth.with no signs of forest trees having occupied
the site. This situation occurs on exposed coastal lands and islands.

7200 Other

Other land cover not appropriately defined by any of the above categories.

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COASTAL ZONE
INFORMATION CENTER

3 6668 00003 0710