Cowardin System Lookup Tool


Cowardin System1 Example:
Example System Subsystem Class Subclass Modifier
L1UBHh L 1 UB   Hh
Lacustrine Limnetic Unconsolidated Bottom none Permanantly Flooded\Impounded
Note:Subsytem, Subclass and Modifiers may not always be present.

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Modifiers

Water
regime

Non-tidal

A=temporarily flooded

B=Saturated

C=seasonally flooded

D=seasonally flooded, well drained

E=seasonally flooded, saturated

F=semi-permanently flooded

G=intermittently exposed

H=permanently flooded

J=intermittently flooded

K=artificially flooded

W=intermittently flooded, temporary

Y=saturated, semi-permanent, seasonal

Z=intermittently exposed, permanent

U=unknown

Tidal

K=artificially flooded

L=sub-tidal

M=irregularly exposed

N=regularly flooded

P=irregularly flooded

S=temporary

R=seasonal

T=semi-permanent

V=permanent

U=unknown

Water
chemistry

Coastal
halinity

1=hyperhaline

2=euhaline

3=mixohaline (brackish)

4=polyhaline

5=mesonhaline

6=oligohaline

0=fresh

Inland
salinity

7=hyperhaline

8=euhaline

9=mixonhaline

0=fresh

PH
modifiers

a=acid

t=circumneutral

i=alkaline

Soil

 

g=organic

n=mineral

Special
modifiers

 

b=beaver

d=partially drained, ditched

f=farmed

h=diked, impounded

r=artificial substrate

s=spoil

x=excavated


1 - Cowardin, L. M., V. Carter, F. C. Golet, E. T. LaRoe. 1979. Classification of wetlands and deepwater habitats of the United States. U. S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, D.C. Jamestown, ND: Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Online. http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/1998/classwet/classwet.htm (Version 04DEC98).