Mark on the base map the approximate location of the observation point. 

 PROCEED TO STEP 7. 



• STEP 7 - Characterize Each Plant Community Type. Visually determine 

 the dominant plant species in each vegetation layer of each community 

 type and record them on DATA FORM 1 (use a separate DATA FORM 1 for 

 each community type) . Dominant species are those having the greatest 

 relative basal area (woody overstory),* greatest height (woody under- 

 story) , greatest percentage of areal cover (herbaceous understory) , 

 and/or greatest number of stems (woody vines). PROCEED TO STEP 8. 



• STEP 8 - Record Indicator Status of Dominant Species. Record on DATA 

 FORM 1 the indicator status (Appendix C, Section 1 or 2) of each 

 dominant species in each community type. PROCEED TO STEP 9. 



• STEP 9 - Determine Whether Hydrophytic Vegetation Is Present. 

 Examine each DATA FORM 1. When more than 50 percent of the dominant 

 species in a community type have an indicator status (STEP 8) of OBL, 

 FACW, and/or FAC,** hydrophytic vegetation is present. Complete the 

 vegetation section of each DATA FORM 1. Portions of the area failing 

 this test are not wetlands. PROCEED TO STEP 10. 



• STEP 10 - Apply Wetland Hydrologic Indicators. Examine the portion 

 of the area occupied by each plant community type for positive indica- 

 tors of wetland hydrology (PART III, paragraph 49). Record findings on 

 the appropriate DATA FORM 1. PROCEED TO STEP 11. 



• STEP 11 - Determine Whether Wetland Hydrology Is Present. Examine 

 the hydrologic information on DATA FORM 1 for each plant community 

 type. Any portion of the area having a positive wetland hydrology 

 indicator has wetland hydrology. If positive wetland hydrology indi- 

 cators are present in all community types, the entire area has wetland 

 hydrology. If no plant community type has a wetland hydrology indi- 

 cator, none of the area has wetland hydrology. Complete the hydrology 

 portion of each DATA FORM 1. PROCEED TO STEP 12. 



* This term is used because species having the largest individuals may not 

 be dominant when only a few are present. To determine relative basal area, 

 consider both the size and number of individuals of a species and subjec- 

 tively compare with other species present. 

 ** For the FAC -neutral option, see paragraph 35a. 



61 



