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This table contains the habitat codes to use with the Point Count Form.

CLASS A. Alpine

Sub-class
0Unknown
1Herb / Grass Meadow
2Shrub Meadow
3Rock / Snow / Ice
4Subalpine (scattered trees or large shrubs)
Important Habitat Features
AAspen Copse: scattered groups of aspen trees
BOld Burn: present
CCottonwood: species present
FOld Forest: forest predominantly old
GGrazed: grass/shrub layer shows obvious signs of grazing; livestock may or may not be present
IUnhealthy trees: insect evidence, fungus, cracks etc.
MMudflats: present
NNest Boxes / Platforms: e.g. bluebird, wood duck, osprey
OGarry Oak: species present
PPine beetle infestation
RRecent Burn: present
SSnags: dead trees or limbs
UUnderstory Shrubs: shrub layer under forest canopy present
VVeterans / Old Trees: older/larger than dominant size/age
WWater: Small area of water within another habitat class and less that 25% of point count area
YYoung Forest: forest predominantly young

CLASS C. Saltwater coastal sites

Sub-class
0Unknown
1Marine shore
2Estuarine shore
Important Habitat Features
AAspen Copse: scattered groups of aspen trees
BOld Burn: present
CCottonwood: species present
FOld Forest: forest predominantly old
GGrazed: grass/shrub layer shows obvious signs of grazing; livestock may or may not be present
IUnhealthy trees: insect evidence, fungus, cracks etc.
MMudflats: present
NNest Boxes / Platforms: e.g. bluebird, wood duck, osprey
OGarry Oak: species present
PPine beetle infestation
RRecent Burn: present
SSnags: dead trees or limbs
UUnderstory Shrubs: shrub layer under forest canopy present
VVeterans / Old Trees: older/larger than dominant size/age
WWater: Small area of water within another habitat class and less that 25% of point count area
YYoung Forest: forest predominantly young

CLASS D. Developed - Buildings, roads, etc.

Sub-class
0Unknown
1Sparse (< 50% of plot)
2Dense (> 50% of plot)
Important Habitat Features
AAspen Copse: scattered groups of aspen trees
BOld Burn: present
CCottonwood: species present
FOld Forest: forest predominantly old
GGrazed: grass/shrub layer shows obvious signs of grazing; livestock may or may not be present
IUnhealthy trees: insect evidence, fungus, cracks etc.
MMudflats: present
NNest Boxes / Platforms: e.g. bluebird, wood duck, osprey
OGarry Oak: species present
PPine beetle infestation
RRecent Burn: present
SSnags: dead trees or limbs
UUnderstory Shrubs: shrub layer under forest canopy present
VVeterans / Old Trees: older/larger than dominant size/age
WWater: Small area of water within another habitat class and less that 25% of point count area
YYoung Forest: forest predominantly young

CLASS F. Forest

Sub-class
0Unknown
1Deciduous
2Coniferous
3Mixed (>20% of each)
4Recent clearcut (shrubs/trees < 3 m)
5Dead (>50% of plot)
Important Habitat Features
AAspen Copse: scattered groups of aspen trees
BOld Burn: present
CCottonwood: species present
FOld Forest: forest predominantly old
GGrazed: grass/shrub layer shows obvious signs of grazing; livestock may or may not be present
IUnhealthy trees: insect evidence, fungus, cracks etc.
MMudflats: present
NNest Boxes / Platforms: e.g. bluebird, wood duck, osprey
OGarry Oak: species present
PPine beetle infestation
RRecent Burn: present
SSnags: dead trees or limbs
UUnderstory Shrubs: shrub layer under forest canopy present
VVeterans / Old Trees: older/larger than dominant size/age
WWater: Small area of water within another habitat class and less that 25% of point count area
YYoung Forest: forest predominantly young

CLASS G. Grassland, Agriculture and Shrubland

Sub-class
0Unknown
1Grassland / Old Field
2Shrubland
3Crop / Hayfield
4Orchard / Vineyard
Important Habitat Features
AAspen Copse: scattered groups of aspen trees
BOld Burn: present
CCottonwood: species present
FOld Forest: forest predominantly old
GGrazed: grass/shrub layer shows obvious signs of grazing; livestock may or may not be present
IUnhealthy trees: insect evidence, fungus, cracks etc.
MMudflats: present
NNest Boxes / Platforms: e.g. bluebird, wood duck, osprey
OGarry Oak: species present
PPine beetle infestation
RRecent Burn: present
SSnags: dead trees or limbs
UUnderstory Shrubs: shrub layer under forest canopy present
VVeterans / Old Trees: older/larger than dominant size/age
WWater: Small area of water within another habitat class and less that 25% of point count area
YYoung Forest: forest predominantly young

CLASS O. Open Water

Sub-class
0Unknown
1Pond/Small lake (<5 ha)
2Large Lake (>5 ha)
3River (> 10 m wide)
4Stream (< 10 m wide)
Important Habitat Features
AAspen Copse: scattered groups of aspen trees
BOld Burn: present
CCottonwood: species present
FOld Forest: forest predominantly old
GGrazed: grass/shrub layer shows obvious signs of grazing; livestock may or may not be present
IUnhealthy trees: insect evidence, fungus, cracks etc.
MMudflats: present
NNest Boxes / Platforms: e.g. bluebird, wood duck, osprey
OGarry Oak: species present
PPine beetle infestation
RRecent Burn: present
SSnags: dead trees or limbs
UUnderstory Shrubs: shrub layer under forest canopy present
VVeterans / Old Trees: older/larger than dominant size/age
WWater: Small area of water within another habitat class and less that 25% of point count area
YYoung Forest: forest predominantly young

CLASS R. Rock

Sub-class
0Unknown
1Cliff / Rock outcrop
2Scree / Boulder Slope
3Mine Spoil / Slag Heap / Quarry
Important Habitat Features
AAspen Copse: scattered groups of aspen trees
BOld Burn: present
CCottonwood: species present
FOld Forest: forest predominantly old
GGrazed: grass/shrub layer shows obvious signs of grazing; livestock may or may not be present
IUnhealthy trees: insect evidence, fungus, cracks etc.
MMudflats: present
NNest Boxes / Platforms: e.g. bluebird, wood duck, osprey
OGarry Oak: species present
PPine beetle infestation
RRecent Burn: present
SSnags: dead trees or limbs
UUnderstory Shrubs: shrub layer under forest canopy present
VVeterans / Old Trees: older/larger than dominant size/age
WWater: Small area of water within another habitat class and less that 25% of point count area
YYoung Forest: forest predominantly young

CLASS W. Wetlands

Sub-class
0Unknown
1Sedge / Grass
2Reeds / Cattail
3Shrubs / Bog / Fen
Important Habitat Features
AAspen Copse: scattered groups of aspen trees
BOld Burn: present
CCottonwood: species present
FOld Forest: forest predominantly old
GGrazed: grass/shrub layer shows obvious signs of grazing; livestock may or may not be present
IUnhealthy trees: insect evidence, fungus, cracks etc.
MMudflats: present
NNest Boxes / Platforms: e.g. bluebird, wood duck, osprey
OGarry Oak: species present
PPine beetle infestation
RRecent Burn: present
SSnags: dead trees or limbs
UUnderstory Shrubs: shrub layer under forest canopy present
VVeterans / Old Trees: older/larger than dominant size/age
WWater: Small area of water within another habitat class and less that 25% of point count area
YYoung Forest: forest predominantly young
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