Surface Vegetation

Grass

Herbaceous ground cover in woodland or open land, including shrubs, ferns or herbs. Does not include woody parts.

Shrubs/Understory

Shrubs, hedges and young trees (< 2m high), including dwarf shrubs such as blueberries. Usually leafy during the growing season, can be very dense.​

Slash-Blowdown

Lying or standing dead tree parts or branches. Formed by natural processes, forest use or disturbances (e.g. storms, snowfall, pests).

Timber-litter

Fallen and dead needles, leaves, cones and small branches. Can form a centimetre-high layer on the forest floor.

Moss

Green, densely growing land plant without supporting tissue. Can absorb a lot of water, but can also dry out completely during droughts.