California Rapid Assessment Method for Wetlands - State Water ...

California Rapid Assessment Method for Wetlands v. 5.0.2 – Chapter 4
Emergent Dicots
without Canopy or
Entrained Litter
Figure 4.12: Schematic diagrams
of entrained plant canopies as an
important aspect of Vertical
Biotic Structure in all Estuarine
wetlands, or in Depressional and
Lacustrine wetlands dominated
by emergent monocots or
lacking Tall and Very Tall plant
layers. In Estuarine wetlands,
the ability to conceal a hand or
foot beneath the canopy is a key
indicator of its density.
Emergent
Monocots with
Canopy
Emergent
Monocots without
Canopy
Emergent Dicots
with Canopy and
Entrained Litter
Table 4.22: Rating of Vertical Biotic Structure for wetlands dominated by emergent
monocots or lacking Tall and Very Tall plant layers, especially
Estuarine saline wetlands (see Figure 4.12).
Rating
A
B
C
D
Alternative States
Most of the vegetated plain of the AA has a dense canopy of living
vegetation or entrained litter or detritus forming an entrained canopy that
shades the soil surface and provides abundant cover for wildlife, such as
small mammals and ground-dwelling birds.
Less than half of the vegetated plain of the AA has a dense entrained
canopy as described in “A” above;
OR
Most of the vegetated plain has a dense entrained canopy but it is too
close to the soil surface to provide cover for wildlife.
Less than half of the vegetated plain of the AA has a dense canopy of
vegetation or entrained litter AND the canopy is too close to the soil
surface to provide cover for wildlife.
Most of the AA lacks a dense entrained canopy of vegetation or litter.
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