Working Draft Framework, Version 2, June 4, 1996
Definition Source: Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States, and Fundamentals of Ecology
1.2.3.1.1.1 Emergent Estuarine Wetlands: Those estuarine wetland ecosystems characterized by erect, rooted, herbaceous hydrophytes, excluding mosses and lichens that are present for most growing season in most years. These plants may be temporarily to permanently flooded at the base but do not tolerate prolonged inundation of the entire plant. (Definition Source: Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States)
1.2.3.1.1.2 Forested Estuarine Wetlands: Those estuarine wetland ecosystems characterized by woody vegetation that is 6 m tall or taller. (Definition Source: Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States)
1.2.3.1.1.3 Intertidal Estuarine Aquatic Bed: Those intertidal estuarine ecosystems within wetlands and deepwater habitats dominated by plants that grow primarily on or below the surface of the water for most of the growing season in most years. (Definition Source: Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States)
1.2.3.1.1.4 Intertidal Estuarine Reef: Those intertidal estuarine ecosystems dominated by ridge-like or mound-like structures formed by the colonization and growth of extensive exoskeleton building sessile invertebrates. Reefs include areas that are subtidal, irregularly exposed, regularly flooded, and irregularly flooded. Reefs are characterized by their elevation above the surrounding substrate and their interference with normal wave flow. This also includes large deposits of rock that are elevated above the surrounding substrate and change current flow. (Definition Source: Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States)
1.2.3.1.1.5 Rocky Intertidal Estuarine Shore: Those intertidal estuarine ecosystems within wetland environments characterized by bedrock, stones, or boulders that singly or in combination have an areal cover of 75% or more and an areal coverage of vegetation of less than 30%. (Definition Source: Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States)
1.2.3.1.1.6 Scrub Shrub Estuarine Wetlands: Those estuarine wetland ecosystems dominated by woody vegetation less than 6m (20 feet) tall. (Definition Source: Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States)
1.2.3.1.1.7 Unconsolidated Intertidal Estuarine Shore: Those intertidal estuarine ecosystems within wetland habitats with three characteristics: (1) unconsolidated substrates with less than 75% areal coverage of stones, boulders, and bedrock; (2) less than 30% areal cover of vegetation other than pioneering plants; and (3) any of the following water regimes: irregularly flooded, seasonally flooded, temporarily flooded, intermittently flooded, saturated, or artificially flooded. (Definition Source: Classification of Wetland and Deepwater Habitats in the United States)