| National
Vegetation Classification System |
The
National Vegetation Classification System (NVCS) (Grossman et
al. 1998) was originally developed by The Nature Conservancy
as a tool to assist in the conservation of biological diversity.
Other organizations including the Ecological Society of America
and numerous federal agencies have partnered with TNC and the
Natural Heritage Network to further develop the classification.
The Federal Geographic Data Committee adopted NVCS in 1997 as
the national standard for vegetation classification.
The NVCS is hierarchical and composed of six nested levels that become increasingly finer in scale and more uniform in ecological characteristics. The highest level (class) is based on vegetation with a broadly similar growth form and structure (e.g. forest or shrubland). Lower levels are nested beneath a class based on further characteristics of the vegetation, environment, and human impact. Associations are the most detailed vegetation community described and may occupy areas of only a few acres. Thousands of associations have been recognized across the United States. The NVCS is based on the vegetation present at a site, which in turn has responded to ecological factors and site history. Descriptions of vegetation communities are drawn from a variety of sources including published research, Natural Heritage Program work, and expert consultation. Links for More Information: |
