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Classification of Natural Communities
The
draft classification of the natural communities of Massachusetts was
written in order to provide a basis for discussing and conserving the
diversity of the types of vegetation in the state. The primary aim is
to describe natural communities of conservation interest in Massachusetts,
while also including all the types in the state.
This classification divides natural community types into three major sections: Terrestrial, Palustrine, and Estuarine. Because of the total size of the classification document, the sections are provided as seperate documents as well as having each community type available individually. An additional section with the Introduction, overall Table of Contents, and References is included separately. The sections are provided below as PDF files. To view these files you will need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Because of the total size of the classification text, it has been broken up into the following four sections; each has the community description available individually or as a unit.
- Table
of Contents, Introduction, and References
- Appendices,
Lists of Community Types with Rank by Rank
- Terrestrial Communities
- Palustrine Communities
- Estuarine Communities
A field key to the types of natural communities described in the NHESP classification has been developed at the Manomet Center for Conservation Science.
To report natural community occurrences, click on the links below to download Natural Community Field Forms and their accompanying instructions.