Field Guide Hiawatha National Forest Ecological Classification System

By Greg Kudray PhD

Based on a decade of work and over 4,000 Hiawatha National Forest field plots, this field guide primarily describes wetland types recognizable across Michigan, the northern Midwest and Eastern regions of the US, and southeastern Canada. Wetland types are classified within the National Forest Ecological Classification System with keys to discriminate both upland and wetland ecosystem types. Photos, plant lists, soil descriptions, hydrology, landform, and management considerations are detailed for twenty-one wetland types.The guide is rich in technical detail for scientists and land managers while also accessible to the general public, especially those with an interest in the great diversity of wetland types present in the region. Common names identify all plant species and the easy to use key and descriptions allow detailed insight into these fascinating wetlands. The goal of an ecological classification system (ECS) is to understand how important ecosystem characteristics like landform, soil, vegetation and hydrology interrelate, and then to group land units with similar capabilities. The Forest Service ECS is hierarchical in nature with increasingly smaller areas that share common ecological conditions. Different controlling ecological factors are emphasized at each level. The three most detailed levels of the ECS are described in the guide including a key to recognize ECS units in the Hiawatha National Forest.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1981227717
• ISBN13: 9781981227716
• Release Date: April 2019
• Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
• Length: 62 Pages
• Weight: 0.28 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 6.0" x 9.0"