Included are brief descriptions with relevant field characteristics for each type. Read through the appropriate group to find the type that matches best. It may be necessary to check other community types listed in the Similar types field. There will be some stands that do not match any of the descriptions exactly. Many plant communities are variable in composition, and while the descriptions attempt to address variability, there will be exceptions.
Stands can represent transition zones between two types.
There can be small inclusions of one type in larger stands of another. It is important to survey sufficiently large stands when classifying, and to base decisions on representative areas within stands. Where tree cover is dense, shrub cover is sparse. Herbaceous cover typically is sparse. In stands with heavy pine cover, little herbaceous growth is present, and even common juniper may be sparse.