Transect - Ground Cover

Ground Cover Class Descriptions:

• Duff - Partially decomposed organic matter lying beneath the litter layer and above the mineral soil. Includes the fermentation and humus layers of the forest floor (Oa and Oe soil horizons).

• Leaf Litter - Leaves not showing excessive decomposition.

• Green Herbaceous Growth - Vegetation dominated by nonwoody plants (i.e., grasses, broad-leafed plants, etc.).

• 1-hour time-lag fuels - Dead fuels comprised of herbaceous plants or woody plants less than about 0.25 inch (6.4 mm) in diameter.

• 10-hour time-lag fuels - Dead fuels comprised of wood from 0.25 to 1 inch (0.6-2.5 cm) in diameter.

• 100-hour time-lag fuels - Dead fuels comprised of wood from 1 to 3 inches (2.5-7.6 cm) in diameter.

• 1,000-hour time-lag fuels - Dead fuels comprised of wood from 3 to 8 inches (7.6-20.3) in diameter.