Vegetation classification system for California: user's guide

Serena C. Hunter; Timothy Paysen

doi:10.2737/PSW-GTR-94

Treesearch

Vegetation classification system for California: user's guide

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Serena C. Hunter, Timothy Paysen

Year:

1986

Type:

General Technical Report

Station:

Pacific Southwest Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/PSW-GTR-94

Source:

Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-94. Berkeley, Calif.: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station. 12 p.

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Download (PDF 575 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/23297.pdf

Abstract

The Vegetation Classification System for California is an unbiased system of defining and naming units of vegetation. The concept was devised by an interagency, interdisciplinary team (Paysen and others 1980, 1982). The system derives its uniqueness from its impartiality to any particular agency or resource discipline, thus providing a long-needed link between diverse classification methodologies. The user must meet only three system rules: to identify accurately (preferably by species) the herbs, shrubs, and trees of the classification site; to understand the concept of a plant community as it relates to the system; and to be able to differentiate these communities on the ground.

Keywords

vegetation, classification, plant communities

Citation

Hunter, Serena C.; Paysen, Timothy E. 1986. Vegetation classification system for California: user's guide. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-94. Berkeley, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station. 12 p.