Large forests generally inhibit mounted movement and favor the employment of dismounted forces. Forests complicate the employment of intelligence-gathering assets, communications, and coordination between adjacent forces. Open and gentle rolling terrain favors the employment of mounted forces. Swamps and other wetlands limit mounted movement to road networks and hamper dismounted, off-road movement. These areas tend to be easily dominated by air units.
Deserts hamper large-scale or long movements.
Although terrain within the desert may vary greatly, deserts are characterized by a lack of natural concealment, lack of cover, lack of fresh water, and difficulties with LOCs. Mountainous terrain normally restricts operations to valley areas and passes. Lateral LOCs are generally restricted, making it difficult to move reserves or shift main efforts. Weather analysis at this level usually addresses the seasonal climatic effects on the combat, CS, and CSS operations of large units. Other significant characteristics of the battlefield gain importance at the operational level.