EI PLATFORM RESOURCES

Landcover types

In the EI Platform Screening Module, users can break their sites into various landcover types to understand baseline performance. Then, by exchanging those with different landcover types and new interventions, users can explore the impact on site performance. For easy reference, the available landcover types are presented below with supporting definitions.

Agriculture

  • Agricultural crops dominate these areas with assumptions that correspond to industrial farming practices. These assumptions include high levels of soil disturbance in the form of compaction and/or tillage. Soft, green-stemmed vegetation is the primary vegetation landcover assumption and these fields often lack obvious planted rows with vegetation appearing more uniformly distributed across the landscape/survey unit.

    Traditional agricultural practices often result in significant degradation of ecological conditions. Due to cultivation and harvesting practices, agricultural fields show both soil and vegetation disturbance across more than 90% of the area.

    Other landcover types that may be similar, or more appropriate, include Row Crops or Resilient Agriculture. Please consider these other landcover definitions carefully and choose the landcover that most resembles the conditions of your survey unit.

    Remote imagery may be insufficient for identifying the appropriate agricultural classification, specific site knowledge should be used where possible.

  • Land specifically used to produce fruits, nuts, flowers, hops, etc. Vegetation is perennial and may be trees, bushes, or vines depending on crop species. This does not include associated buildings, storage areas, access roads, drainage features etc.

  • These are typically upland areas consisting of both native and non-native grasses. Subject to extensive vegetation management, commonly conducted through grazing. This landcover type assumes that there is negligible shrub and tree cover and extensive vegetation and soil disturbance.

  • Resilient Agriculture may appear as Agricultural Fields, Row Crops, and/or Orchards/Vineyards. However, attributes differ from these other landcover types due to differences in management activities which aim to enhance biodiversity and other ecosystem benefits. Resilient Agriculture will typically have shrub dominant vegetation with an average height over three (3) ft (0.9 m) and >10 species present. Resilient Agriculture will show much lower levels of soil and vegetation disturbance when compared to Agricultural Fields and Row Crops; with less than 5% of the area not covered in living or dead vegetation and >90% of the area having microtopography.

    Other landcover types that may be similar, or more appropriate, include Row Crops, Orchard/Vineyard or Agricultural Field. Please consider these other landcover definitions carefully and choose the landcover that most resembles the conditions of your survey unit.

    Remote imagery may be insufficient for identifying the appropriate agricultural classification, specific site knowledge should be used where possible.

  • Agricultural crops planted in rows wide enough to allow tilling or cultivation by agricultural machinery. Dominant vegetation typically has shrublike structure, and there is generally more area which is not covered by living or dead vegetation and a low percentage of microtopography due to the row planting layout.

    Other landcover types that may be similar, or more appropriate, include Agricultural Field or Resilient Agriculture. The Row Crop landcover type assumes significantly less soil and vegetation disturbance than the Agricultural Field landcover type and as a result, the Row Crop landcover type typically performs better across most ecological metrics. Please consider these other landcover definitions carefully and choose the landcover that most resembles the conditions of your survey unit.

    Remote imagery may be insufficient for identifying the appropriate agricultural classification, specific site knowledge should be used where possible.

  • Gardening opportunities in developed areas in which a variety of vegetation/crops are grown for the physical and social benefit of people and their neighborhoods/communities. Urban Gardens typically have amended soils made up primarily of organic material and may include a variety of edible, ornamental, and medicinal plants which are non-woody, soft and green stemmed. Urban Gardens will also have high levels of both vegetation and soil disturbance.

Constructed Nature-Based Solutions or Materials

  • Roof top is composed of impermeable collection trays with gravel/cobble substrates that are designed to provide temporary water storage and allow the gradual release and evaporation of collected stormwater.

  • Roof top is composed of 50% Green Roof – Herbaceous Dominant and 50% Blue  Roof structures.

    The Green Roof structure is made of a series of permeable mats covered in growing medium which are occasionally inundated. Herbaceous vegetation is the dominated cover; however, some shrub and tree cover can be present. The growth medium presumes a combination of organic material with some sand/silt/clay and the design arrangement mimics natural microtopography.

    The Blue Roof structure is made up of impermeable collection trays with gravel/cobble substrate designed to provide temporary water storage and allow the gradual release and evaporation of collected stormwater.

    Alternative Blue-Green roof options include Blue-Green Roof – Shrub Dominant and Blue-Green Roof – Tree Dominant. If water retention structures are not included in the roof, see the available Green Roof landcover types for alternative nature-based green roof choices. Please consider these other landcover definitions carefully and choose the landcover type that most resembles the conditions of your survey unit.

  • Roof top is composed of 50% Green Roof – Shrub Dominant and 50% Blue Roof structures.

    The Green Roof structure is made of a series of permeable mats covered in growing medium which are occasionally inundated. Low growing shrubs (woody vegetation) provide the dominant cover; however, some low growing herbaceous vegetation and/or limited tree cover may be present. The growth medium presumes a combination of organic material with some sand/silt/clay and the design arrangement mimics natural microtopography.

    The Blue Roof structure is made up of impermeable collection trays with gravel/cobble substrate designed to provide temporary water storage and allow the gradual release and evaporation of collected stormwater.

    Alternative Blue-Green roof options include Blue-Green Roof – Herbaceous Dominant and Blue- Green Roof – Tree Dominant. If water retention structures are not included in the roof, see the available Green Roof landcover types for alternative nature-based green roof choices. Please consider these other landcover definitions carefully and choose the landcover type that most resembles the conditions of your survey unit.

  • Roof top is composed of 50% Green Roof – Tree Dominant and 50% Blue Roof structures.

    The Green Roof structure is made of a series of permeable mats covered in growing medium which are occasionally inundated. Trees provide the dominant cover; however, low growing herbaceous vegetation and shrubs may also be present. The growth medium presumes a combination of organic material with some sand/silt/clay and the design arrangement mimics natural microtopography.

    The Blue Roof structure is made up of impermeable collection trays with gravel/cobble substrate designed to provide temporary water storage and allow the gradual release and evaporation of collected stormwater.

    Alternative Blue-Green roof options include Blue-Green Roof – Herbaceous Dominant and Blue-Green Roof – Shrub Dominant. If water retention structures are not included in the roof, see the available Green Roof landcover types for alternative nature-based green roof choices. Please consider these other landcover definitions carefully and choose the landcover type that most resembles the conditions of your survey unit.

  • Roof structure on a building comprised of permeable mats covered in growing medium which are occasionally inundated. Herbaceous vegetation is the dominated cover; however, limited shrub and tree cover may also be present. The growth medium presumes a combination of organic material with some sand/silt/clay and the design arrangement mimics natural microtopography.

    Alternative green roof options include Green Roof – Shrub Dominant and Green Roof – Tree Dominant. If water retention structures are included on the roof, see Blue and Blue-Green Roof options. Please consider these other landcover definitions carefully and choose the landcover type that most resembles the conditions of your survey unit.

  • Roof structure on a building comprised of permeable mats covered in growing medium which are occasionally inundated. Low growing shrubs (woody vegetation <1.8 ft (≈0.5 m) provide the dominant cover; however, some low growing herbaceous vegetation and/or tree cover may be present. The growth medium presumes a combination of organic material with some sand/silt/clay and the design arrangement mimics natural microtopography.

    Alternative Green Roof options include Green Roof – Herbaceous Dominant and Green Roof – Tree Dominant. If water retention structures are included on the roof, see Blue and Blue-Green Roof Options. Please consider these other landcover definitions carefully and choose the landcover type that most resembles the conditions of your survey unit.

  • Roof structure on a building comprised of permeable mats covered in growing medium which are occasionally inundated. Trees provide the dominant cover; however, low growing herbaceous vegetation and shrubs may also be present. The growth medium presumes a combination of organic material with some sand/silt/clay and the design arrangement mimics natural microtopography.

    Alternative Green Roof options include Green Roof – Herbaceous Dominant and Green Roof – Shrub Dominant. If water retention structures are included on the roof, see Blue and Blue-Green Roof Options. Please consider these other landcover definitions carefully and choose the landcover type that most resembles the conditions of your survey unit.

  • Exterior walls (attached or free-standing) partially or completely covered in vegetation, planted in manmade soil media.

  • Areas covered with pervious asphalt, which may include local roads, areas for equipment or vehicle storage, recreational trails, etc.

  • Areas covered with pervious concrete, which may include local roads, areas for equipment or vehicle storage, recreational trails, etc.

  • Areas covered with gravel, which may include local roads, areas for equipment or vehicle storage, recreational trails, etc.

  • Reinforced wall designed to hold in place a mass of earth or the like, such as the edge of a terrace, road or excavation. The structure is designed to facilitate planting of vegetation on the face of the wall.

  • Lot areas covered with gravel or other pervious, man-made materials, which include areas of vegetation in/or around the parking area. Vegetation is typically small tree dominant but will have a mix of trees, shrubs, and non-woody, soft and green stemmed species.

    While Regreen Parking vegetation attributes assume low basal cover it will typically have 30-60% aerial cover both within the survey unit and along the unit's edge.

  • Wildlife crossings describe man-made structures with enough natural vegetation structure to allow/encourage wildlife to travel through/over areas with human activity, providing safe connections and continuity with similar habitats.

    This landcover type has attributes that are specific to bridge-like structures and features open surfaces and exposed vegetation, allowing full daylight access throughout the structure (unlike other wildlife crossing structures such as enclosed culverts).

Built Environment

  • Areas of earthen materials exposed due to anthropogenic activities (e.g. plowing, construction activities, mining, etc.). Generally, vegetation accounts for <15% of total cover and high levels of soil disturbance and compaction are assumed.

  • A roofed and/or walled structure built for permanent use. Because built structures are not a natural element of the landscape they do not contribute to visual or noise screening performance. Assumed to be composed of impervious surfaces (see Blue Roof and Green Roof landcover types if applicable).

    In addition, Buildings are not assigned vertical attributes so if interventions associated with a Building take up vertical space e.g. Green Wall, survey units may be layered with the Building survey unit as needed to account for this additional area and the associated benefit.

  • Urbanized areas with structures, both industrial and residential, roads and other man-made infrastructure (i.e. railroads, etc.). Impervious surfaces account for <50% of the total cover, the remaining area is represented as a combination of landscaping and green space.

    This landcover type is often used when lumping a large area of low density developed space, such as low-density residential areas, into a single survey unit to perform a rapid assessment of condition without requiring the delineation of every structure, lawn, greenway, parking lot or landscaped area into a scenario.

  • Urbanized areas with structures, both industrial and residential, roads and other man-made infrastructure (i.e. railroads, etc.). Impervious surfaces account for 50-79% of the total cover, the remaining area is represented as a combination of landscaping and green space.

    This landcover type is often used when lumping a large area of moderately developed space, such as business parks or high/medium density residential areas, into a single survey unit to perform a rapid assessment of condition without requiring the delineation of every structure, lawn, sidewalk, parking lot or landscaping area into a scenario.

  • Urbanized areas with many structures, both industrial and residential, roads and other man-made infrastructure (i.e. railroads, etc.). Impervious surfaces account for 80-100% of the total cover, the remaining area is represented as a combination of landscaping and green space.

    This landcover type is often used when lumping a large area of highly developed space, such as industrial areas, into a single survey unit to perform a rapid assessment of condition without requiring the delineation of every structure, sidewalk, parking lot or landscaping area into a scenario.

  • A large artificial embankment (typically made of clay/silt/sand) engineered within a floodplain to protect land and property from seasonal high water and/or inundation. These will typically be covered by herbaceous, non-woody, soft and green stemmed vegetation.

    Depending on the size and location of the Levee/Berm they are often built with access roads along the top.

  • Areas covered with impervious material (e.g. asphalt, concrete, etc.).

  • Managed or constructed pathways used as thoroughfares or for recreational purposes. This landcover type is maintained with permeable material (e.g., bark chips) and includes vegetation within its easement (e.g., grass strips on either side of the trail, shrubs and small trees).

    Note: Trails with an impervious surface would be classified as Paved Surface.

  • Planted grass of uniform height. Usually planted in mats and maintained to uniform height of ≤3 in (7.6 cm) and density that is managed mainly for aesthetics or recreation activity (e.g. lawn, golf course, sports field, park, etc.). As this is a highly managed landcover type, soils are assumed to be amended toward a loamy composition, typically resulting in relatively high soil quality scores.

  • Ornamental garden planted primarily with nonnative species arranged for aesthetic purposes not necessarily to mimic natural functioning systems. Often found around homes, office parks, and in public rights of way, this landcover type typically includes a mixture of herbaceous, shrub and tree cover with managed loamy soils to promote vegetation growth.

Wet or Aquatic - Natural

  • A body of water which is impounded or enclosed. It may be naturally occurring or artificially created to mimic natural systems (e.g. reservoirs, etc.). Flow may be present but imperceptible. Size can vary greatly, ranging from less than 1 ac (0.4 ha) to greater than 10 ac (4 ha).

  • Areas with water flowing through an active natural channel, this includes creeks, streams, rivers, etc.

  • Any water feature that cannot be specifically identified as a Lake/Pond, Stream or any open water with an aggregation of water features (such as tidal areas, oxbows, etc.). Generally, open water with less than 25% vegetation cover.

  • Any area where the soil or substrate is periodically saturated or covered with water that cannot be specifically identified as a wetland (either emergent, forested, or scrub/shrub).

    Other landcover types that may be similar, or more appropriate, include specific wetland types (emergent, forested or scrub/shrub). Please consider these other landcover definitions carefully and choose the landcover type that most resembles the conditions of your survey unit.

  • Transitional areas between permanently wet and dry environments where the soil or substrate is periodically saturated with or covered by water. Herbaceous vegetation is the dominant vegetation cover.

  • Transitional areas between permanently wet and dry environments where the soil or substrate is periodically saturated with or covered by water. Trees are the dominant vegetation cover.

  • Transitional areas between permanently wet and dry environments where the soil or substrate is periodically saturated with or covered by water. Shrub vegetation is the dominant vegetation cover.

Wet or Aquatic - Constructed

  • Man-made feature for capturing and controlling (storage and slow release) of stormwater or other non-potable waters using layered soils and dense vegetation in basins with perennial (permanent inundation) water >4 ft (1.2 m). Most of the vegetation is aquatic but may include terrestrial species along the waterline and banks

  • Man-made structure for capturing and controlling (storage and slow release) of stormwater or other non-potable waters using layered soils and vegetation in shallow linear basins or landscaped areas. Water is intermittent with dense vegetation that may be either aquatic (e.g., emergent veg.) or nonaquatic (e.g., grasses, shrubs, etc.) depending on level of saturation.

  • A constructed open channel designed to convey stormwater flow or excess water from one area to another. Water flow may be perennial, intermittent, ephemeral or intermittent/ephemeral. This structure may contain limited herbaceous vegetation along the banks but typically does not include rich species assemblages or dense vegetation within the waterway.

    See the Bioswale landcover type for an alternative water conveyance option that provides additional co-benefits.

  • An artificial reservoir for storing water (usually rainwater) above or below ground.

  • Man-made water body created by dam, levee, or dike that contains standing water throughout the year or for relatively brief periods (e.g. holding pond containing process waters). This structure may contain limited herbaceous vegetation along the banks but typically does not include rich species assemblages or dense vegetation within the waterway.

    See the Bioretention landcover type for an alternative water quantity control option that provides additional co-benefits.

  • A man-made wetland which uses compressed clay substrate or another impermeable liner to inhibit infiltration (retain water) to treat sewage, greywater, stormwater runoff or industrial wastewater. Vegetation, which acts as a biological filter, is predominantly aquatic but may include terrestrial species along the wetland edge. Constructed wetlands are generally built in upland areas outside floodplains or floodways to avoid damage to natural wetlands and other aquatic resources.

  • Container gardens which float on the surface of ponds or lakes, where plants are established on a floating mat allowing the roots to extend down into the water and act as a biological filtration system. Plants species are typically aquatic in their early stages but may also include grasses or small shrubs where the floating structure allows.

Terrestrial - Natural

  • Areas dominated by shrubs over 6.5 ft (≈2 m) tall with shrub canopy typically greater than 20% of total vegetation. This class includes true shrubs, young trees in an early successional stage or trees stunted from environmental conditions. This landcover type is not subject to intensive management practices and supports a mixture of plant communities related to shrubs and grasses.

  • Areas dominated by graminoid and/or herbaceous vegetation, accounting for greater than 80% of total vegetation. This landcover type is not subject to intensive management such as tilling or grazing and supports a diverse herbaceous plant community.

  • Areas dominated by trees, generally >16.4 ft (5 m) tall, which account for more than 80% of total vegetation cover. The tree species present are predominantly deciduous, meaning they lose their leaves at the end of the frost-free season or at the beginning of a dry season. Species composition is dependent on the site location and biome. This landcover type is not subject to intensive management practices and supports a mixture of plant communities such as grasses, shrubs, and trees.

  • Areas dominated by trees, generally >16.4 ft (5 m) tall, which account for more than 80% of total vegetation cover. The tree species present are predominantly evergreen, meaning they retain their foliage throughout the year. Tree species may include coniferous and/or broadleaved evergreens depending on the site location and biome. This landcover type is not subject to intensive management practices and supports a mixture of plant communities such as grasses, shrubs, and trees.

  • Areas dominated by trees, generally >16.4 ft (5 m) tall, which account for more than 80% of total vegetation cover. The trees are a combination of both evergreen and deciduous species, where neither predominates. Species composition is dependent on the site location and biome. This landcover type is not subject to intensive management practices and supports a mixture of plant communities such as grasses, shrubs, and trees.

    Forested areas where both evergreen and deciduous trees are growing and neither predominates.

  • Areas dominated by trees, generally >16.4 ft (5 m) tall, which account for more than 80% of total vegetation cover. The trees are a combination of both evergreen and deciduous species, where neither predominates. Species composition is dependent on the site location and biome. This landcover type is not subject to intensive management practices and supports a mixture of plant communities such as grasses, shrubs, and trees.

  • Areas of naturally exposed bedrock, desert pavement, scarps, talus, slides, volcanic material, glacial debris, sand dunes, and other accumulations of earthen material. Generally, vegetation accounts for less than 15% of total cover.

Terrestrial - Nature Based Restoration

  • Managed areas which integrate native species and are arranged to mimic native natural systems. Species and soil composition are relative to site areas or biome.

    Dominant vegetation is non-woody, soft and green stemmed plants, with >10 plant species present. Vegetation structure may be single or multi-story, with variable combinations of shrub and/or tree cover.

  • Managed areas which integrate native species and are arranged to mimic native natural systems. Species and soil composition are relative to site areas or biome.

    Dominant vegetation is tall shrubs, with >10 plant species present. Vegetation structure may be single or multi-story, with variable combinations of shrub and/or tree cover.

  • Managed areas which integrate native species and are arranged to mimic native natural systems. Species and soil composition are relative to site areas or biome.

    Dominant vegetation is medium trees, with >10 plant species present. Vegetation structure may be single or multi-story, with variable combinations of shrub and/or tree cover.

  • Plantings that target local habitats to support/promote pollinator species. While tall shrubs are the dominant vegetation type, the area will have a mix of herbaceous, shrub, and tree species. This landcover type requires dense basal and aerial cover in combination with downed wood to support multiple pollinator life stages.

  • Restoration which targets natural structure and vegetation for the stabilization of stream banks. Assists in natural erosion control and provides habitat-supporting structures for the waterway (e.g. large wood debris, down wood, etc.); co-benefits may include water filtration, vegetation support and biodiversity benefits.