Establish the first observation point at a distance of 50 ft from the 

 baseline (Figure 17). When obvious nonwetlands occupy a long portion 

 of the transect from the baseline starting point, establish the first 

 observation point in the obvious nonwetland at a distance of approxi- 

 mately 300 ft from the point that the obvious nonwetland begins to 

 intergrade into a potential wetland community type. Additional obser- 

 vation points must also be established to determine the wetland bound- 

 ary between successive regular observation points when one of the 

 points is a wetland and the other is a nonwetland. CAUTION: In targe 

 areas having a mosaic of plant community types, several wetland bound- 

 aries may occur along the same transect. PROCEED TO STEP 9 and apply 

 the comprehensive wetland determ.ination procedure at each required ob- 

 servation point. Use the described procedure to simultaneously charac- 

 terize the vegetation, soil, and hydrology at each required observation 

 point along each transect, and use the resulting characterization to 

 make a wetland determination at each point. NOTE: All required wet- 

 land boundary determinations should be made while proceeding along a 

 transect . 



• STEP 9 - Characterize the Vegetation at the First Observation Point 

 Along the First Transect.* Record on DATA FORM 2 the vegetation 

 occurring at the first observation point along the first transect by 

 completing the following (as appropriate) : 



a. Trees. Identify each tree occurring within a 30-ft radius** of 

 the observation point, measure its basal area (square inches) 

 or diameter at breast height (DBH) using a basal area tape or 



* There is no single best procedure for characterizing vegetation. Methods 

 described in STEP 9 afford standardization of the procedure. However, plot 

 size and descriptors for determining dominance may vary. 

 ** A larger sampling plot may be necessary when trees are large and widely 

 spaced. 



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