IUCN Habitats Classification Scheme

Version: 3.1
Level of Classification Definition * See Additional Notes on usage at end *
1 2 3 Examples Exposition

1. Forest & Woodland Forest consists of a continuous stand of trees and includes both Includes primary and secondary forest habitats and forest edges/margins.
forested areas (generally with a closed canopy) and wooded areas
(canopy more open, but see 2. Savanna).
1.1 Boreal Forest Distributed across the high latitudes of the northern hemisphere
(occurring between 50 and 60° N) in a broad belt across Eurasia and
North America. Trees are predominantly coniferous (pine, fir and
spruce), though a few deciduous genera are nearly ubiquitous in their
distribution and are locally common (see 1.4).
Includes forest types described as taiga, coniferous, coniferous
deciduous, and broadleaved deciduous.
1.2 Subarctic Forest Included for completeness sake - probably little forest occurs at these
high latitudes.

1.3 Subantarctic Forest Stunted forest on subantarctic islands.

Forest on Auckland and Snares Islands (to New Zealand),
bosques sub-antárticos (Argentina).
1.4 Temperate Forest Distributed in the temperate regions (under the influence of moist
continental climates) of North and South America (primarily Chile),
Europe, Asia (China/Korea/Japan) and Australia/New Zealand.
Includes forest types described as coniferous, broadleaved
evergreen, broadleaved deciduous, and mixed; also riverine and
alluvial. The deciduous trees shed their leaves in the winter season.
In the northern hemisphere, the coniferous (or needleleaf evergreen)
component increases towards the north where the mixed forest
transitions to Boreal Forest (see 1.1).
Includes Mediterranean forests but these might also be placed
under 1.5 [ needs resolution ] and pine-oak forests found in
Mexico and the southern US.

1.5 Subtropical/Tropical Dry Forest Distributed in the subtropical/tropical regions of the Neotropics, Africa
and Indo-Malesia. Typically forests that experience a dry season of
several months.
Includes forest types described as deciduous, makatea,
atoll/beach, palm, thorn and spiny; Florida rockland hammocks,
pune rocklands, marine hammocks, shellmounds (last 4 from SE
USA); bosque chaco, espinal, bosque de algarrobo/prosopis
(Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay); forest in the seasonally dry inter-
Andean valleys.

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IUCN Habitats Classification Scheme
Version: 3.1
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1 2 3 Examples Exposition
1.6 Subtropical/Tropical Moist Distributed in the subtropical/tropical regions of the Neotropics, Africa Bamboo forests found at these elevations and conditions are included here
Lowland Forest and Indo-Malesia, generally below c.1,200 m (but varying with
geography and topography).
Includes (lowland/hill rain/wet/humid/moist) forest types
described as evergreen or semi-evergreen or broadleaved
evergreen, deciduous, dipterocarp and mixed; also
riparian/riverine and gallery, Sierra maestra se Cuba, selva
paranaense, bosque de quebrada, bosque sammofilo (Uruguay)

1.7 Subtropical/Tropical Mangrove Distributed in the subtropics and tropics, growing in sheltered Species are above the high tide level - see 12.7.
Forest Vegetation Above High Tide estuaries and along coastlines in brackish or salt water
Level
1.8 Subtropical/Tropical Swamp Distributed in the subtropics and tropics. Typically flooded for at least
Forest part of the year and dependent on this flooding for its existence.

Includes forest types described as peat swamp, bog, and

varzea/igapo.
1.9 Subtropical/Tropical Moist Distributed in the subtropical/tropical regions of the Neotropics, Africa Bamboo forests found at these elevations and conditions are included here
Montane Forest and Indo-Malesia, generally above c.1,200 m (but varying with
geography and topography).

Includes (lower and upper montane/mountain rain/wet/moist)

forest types described as cloud, mossy, elfin, dwarf, Polylepis,
coniferous, pine, pine-oak and evergreen, mesophyllous, yungas
(to Peru/Bolivia/Argentina).

2. Savanna Savannas are transitional between grasslands and forests. They are
ecosystems dominated by a grass ground cover with an overstorey of
widely spaced trees and shrubs. May be referred to as savanna
woodlands, savanna parklands, savanna grasslands, low tree/shrub
savannas, thicket/scrub savannas. Distributed largely in Africa,
Australia (mostly northern), Asia (India, SE Asia) and South America.

2.1 Dry Savanna Needs to be defined

Includes savanna types described as Eucalyptus and Acacia
woodland, mopane/miombo/Brachystegia woodlands (Africa),
cerrado/campos/caatinga (Brazil, Guiana), chaco seco
(Argentina/Uruguay) and mulga (Australia), oak woodlands (mid-
western USA)

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IUCN Habitats Classification Scheme
Version: 3.1
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1 2 3 Examples Exposition
2.2 Moist Savanna Needs to be defined
Includes savanna types described as pantanal
(Brazil/Bolivia/Paraguay), chaco or chaco húmedo
(Paraguay/Bolivia/Argentina), and llanos (Venezuela/Colombia).

3. Shrubland Also referred to as scrub, bushland and thicket.

3.1 Subarctic Shrubland Needs to be defined

3.2 Subantarctic Shrubland Needs to be defined

3.3 Boreal Shrubland Needs to be defined

3.4 Temperate Shrubland Needs to be defined. Compare to 3.5, 4.4 and 4.5
Includes semi-deserts dominated by shrubs, coastal beach
shrublands (e.g. to be added )
3.5 Subtropical/Tropical Dry Needs to be defined. Found mainly on the lowlands. Compare to
Shrubland 3.4, 4.4 and 4.5.
Includes (arid/semi-desert/dry) shrubland types described as
succulent, thorn or thorn scrub, karoo, strandveld (South Africa),
Kalahari (Botswana, Namibia, South Africa), restingas (coastal
scrub in Brazil); coastal strand; xerophyllous scrub; chapparal
(Mexico and SW US); enclave, matorral sammofilo, matorral
seco (Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay).
3.6 Subtropical/Tropical Moist Humid/semi-humid shrubland types described as evergreen and
Shrubland found mainly on the lowlands
Includes vegetation on river islands and in the riparian zones;
matorral húmedo (Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay)
3.7 Subtropical/Tropical High Alpine/subalpine shrubland types around and above the tree-line in
Altitude Shrubland mountainous regions.
Some of the shrublands are dominated by rhododendron, juniper
or birch; prepuna (Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay).

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IUCN Habitats Classification Scheme
Version: 3.1
Level of Classification Definition * See Additional Notes on usage at end *
1 2 3 Examples Exposition
3.8 Mediterranean-type Shrubby Distributed in Mediterranean ecosystems of Australia, Chile,
Vegetation Europe/North Africa, North America (primarily California) and South
Africa. Evergreen shrubs and sclerophyllous trees (low in stature with
a relatively open canopy) are the dominant plant forms, and frequent
fires have historically played an important role in regulating
community composition and structure. The areas are characterized
by warm dry summers.
Includes shrubland types described as garrigue, chaparral
(California), maquis (Mediterranean), mallee or mallee scrub
(Australia), matorral (Chile) and fynbos (South Africa).

4. Native Grassland Grasslands occur in regions with warm growing seasons and
moderate water shortages. Native grasslands are comprised of
grasses and broadleaved herbaceous plants, and are either without
woody plants, or the latter are very sparsely distributed (see also 2.
Savanna).
4.1 Tundra Grasslands which have developed over permafrost. Confined to the
northern hemisphere where it encircles the north pole and extends
south to the Boreal Forests. The area is characterized by its
extremely cold desert-like conditions.
4.2 Subarctic Grassland Not defined
4.3 Subantarctic Grassland Tussock grassland on subantarctic islands.
4.4 Temperate Grassland Not defined. See 3.4, 3.5 and 4.5.
Includes grassland types described as prairies (North America);
steppe (Eurasia); calcareous; siliceous; edaphic; pampa or
pampas (South America); pastizal patagónico, patagonia,
pastizal pampeano (Argentina).
4.5 Subtropical/Tropical Dry Lowland Not defined. See 3.4, 3.5 and 4.4.
Grassland
Includes (arid/dry) grassland types described as
hummock/tussock (Australia); estepa (Argentina, Paraguay,
Uruguay).
4.6 Subtropical/Tropical Seasonally Not defined.
Wet/Flooded Lowland Grassland

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IUCN Habitats Classification Scheme
Version: 3.1
Level of Classification Definition * See Additional Notes on usage at end *
1 2 3 Examples Exposition
4.7 Subtropical/Tropical High Sometimes also referred to as alpine tundra. The night time
Altitude Grassland temperatures are usually below freezing, but the soils are well-
drained.
Includes (alpine/subalpine/highveld) grassland types described
as paramos, altiplanos, puna, pastizal de altura.

5. Wetlands (Inland) Not defined. Inland wetlands correspond to the wetland types recognized by Ramsar. Note
that other aquatic habitats are dealt with under other habitats (see 1. Forest, 4.
Grassland, 9-12. Marine, 13. Coastal and 15. Artificial).

5.1 Permanent Rivers, Streams, Not defined. Includes waterfalls.

Creeks
5.2 Seasonal/Intermittent/Irregular Not defined.
Rivers, Streams, Creeks
5.3 Shrub Dominated Wetlands Shrub swamps, shrub-dominated freshwater marshes, shrub carr,
alder thicket on inorganic soils.
5.4 Bogs, Marshes, Swamps, Fens, Generally over 8 ha. Also includes mires. Excludes saline marshes (see 5.16 and 5.17). Note that the size difference
Peatlands between marshes coded here versus under 5.7 or 5.8.

Bogs are peat-accumulating systems fed only by rainwater and

thus have very low nutrient levels. They are usually strongly
acidic, and water flow is restricted. The water table is either at or
just below the surface and remains relatively constant.
Fens have a predominantly peat substrate, but the peat is
shallower and more decomposed than bogs. They are fed by
both rain and groundwater resulting in low to moderate nutrient
and acidity levels. The water table is typically just below the peat
surface but there are small noticeable fluctuations.
Swamps are relatively high in nutrients supplied via surface
runoff and groundwater from the surrounding land. The water
table is usually above some of the ground surface, but there are
large, seasonal fluctuations.
Marshes are characterized by large periodic fluctuations of water
table or water level.

5.5 Permanent Freshwater Lakes Over 8 ha. Includes large oxbow lakes (see 13.5). Includes Caspian Sea

5.6 Seasonal/Intermittent Freshwater Over 8 ha. Includes floodplain lakes (see 13.5).
Lakes

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IUCN Habitats Classification Scheme
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1 2 3 Examples Exposition
5.7 Permanent Freshwater Ponds (below 8 ha), marshes and swamps on inorganic soils; with
Marshes/Pools emergent vegetation water-logged for at least most of the growing
season.
5.8 Seasonal/Intermittent Freshwater Below 8 ha. On inorganic soils; includes sloughs, potholes,
Marshes/Pools seasonally flooded meadows, sedge marshes.

5.9 Freshwater Springs and Oases Not defined.

5.10 Tundra Wetlands Includes tundra pools and temporary waters from snowmelt.

5.11 Alpine Wetlands Includes alpine meadows, seepages, temporary waters from
snowmelt.
5.12 Geothermal Wetlands Wetlands influenced by heated geothermal water or chemistry
derived from current or former geothermal activity. Often found in
volcanically active areas.
5.13 Permanent Inland Deltas Created by a river dividing into multiple branches, these usually rejoin
and continue to the sea. They often occur on former lake beds. In
some cases a river flowing into a flat arid area splits into channels
which then evaporate as it progresses into the desert.
The Inner Niger Delta and Peace–Athabasca Delta are notable
examples. The Amazon has an inland delta before the island of
Marajó and the Okavango Delta is the best example of a desert
inland delta .
5.14 Permanent Saline, Brackish or Not defined.
Alkaline Lakes

5.15 Seasonal/Intermittent Saline, Not defined.

Brackish or Alkaline Lakes and Flats

5.16 Permanent Saline, Brackish or Not defined.

Alkaline Marshes/Pools
5.17 Seasonal/Intermittent Saline, Not defined.
Brackish or Alkaline Marshes/Pools

Salinas in South America.

5.18 Karst and Other Subterranean Not defined.
Inland Aquatic Systems

6. Inland Rocky Areas Not defined. No types specified.

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IUCN Habitats Classification Scheme
Version: 3.1
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1 2 3 Examples Exposition
Includes inland cliffs, mountain peaks, talus, feldmark.

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IUCN Habitats Classification Scheme
Version: 3.1
Level of Classification Definition * See Additional Notes on usage at end *
1 2 3 Examples Exposition
7. Caves & Subterranean Habitats Not defined.
7.1 Dry Caves Underground spaces produced naturally by the weathering of rock.
Can extend deep underground, or can be much smaller rock
h l defined.
7.2 Other Dry Subterranean Habitats Not

8. Desert Desert consists of arid landscapes with a sparse plant cover, except
in depressions where water accumulates. The sandy, stony or rocky
substrate contributes more to the appearance of the landscape than
does the vegetation.
8.1 Hot Desert Not defined.
[Deserts where the main form of precipitation is rain, thus would
include the Arabian Desert; various Australian deserts - Great
Sandy, Victoria, Simpson, Gibson and Sturt; Sahara; and the
Thar in India].
8.2 Temperate Desert Not defined.
[Not clear, but might include the Takla Makan Desert in China,
and the desert areas of Turkestan and possibly the Iranian
Desert].
8.3 Cold Desert Not defined.
[Deserts where the main form of precipitation is snow or fog, and
thus would include the Atacama Desert (Peru and Chile), Gobi
Desert (China and Mongolia), Namib Desert (Namibia and bit of
South Africa), Antarctica and parts of the Arctic].

9. Marine - Neritic Submergent (below extreme low tide), nearshore, on or over the
continental shelf or oceanic island shelf. [Continental shelf is the
expanded perimeter of each continent, which is gently sloping and
covered by relatively shallow seas (typically limited to a depth of
around 200 m) or embayments. The shelf usually ends at a point of
increasing slope (called the shelf break)].
9.1 Pelagic The division of the marine environment composed of all the ocean’s
water; living in the water column, away from the bottom.
9.2 Subtidal Rock and Rocky Reefs Bottom habitat consisting predominantly of boulders (any loose rock
larger than 256 mm in diameter) or consolidated rock (includes
submerged coastal karst systems, but see 12.1).

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IUCN Habitats Classification Scheme
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1 2 3 Examples Exposition
9.3 Subtidal Loose Bottom habitat consisting predominantly of unconsolidated cobbles
Rock/Pebble/Gravel (sediment size 64 to 256 mm diameter) and pebbles (sediment size 2
to 64 mm diameter).
9.4 Subtidal Sandy Bottom habitat consisting of loose particles of rock or mineral
sediments (predominantly ranges in size from 0.0625–2.0 mm in
diameter).
9.5 Subtidal Sandy-Mud Bottom habitat consisting predominantly of a mixture of sandy (see
9.4) and muddy (see 9.6) sediment types.
9.6 Subtidal Muddy Bottom habitat consisting of wet clay (any particle smaller than 0.002
mm in diameter) and silt-rich sediment (silt consists of loose particles
of rock or mineral (sediment) that ranges in size from 0.002–0.0625
mm in diameter).
9.7 Macroalgal/Kelp Bottom habitat consisting predominantly of large algae, typically
brown algae, which often forms dense macroalgal beds or forests.
9.8 Coral Reef Massive limestone structure built up through the cementing and Note that the coral habitats listed here refer primarily to habitats found below
depositional activities of colonial stony corals, predominantly of the water. The unvegetated coral habitat found above sea-level is not specifically
order Scleractinia, and other calcareous invertebrate and algal included in this classification, hence for the interim this habitat can be recorded as
species. 9.8 [also need to consider use of 12.1 or 13.1 for such cases]. If it has been
colonized by plants, one of the other appropriate habitat types should be used.
Note, it is not mandatory to code the coral habitats to the third-level.
9.8.1 Outer Reef Channel Coral reef habitat on the foreslope (see 9.8.3) within or around the
surge channels (spur and groove formations).
9.8.2 Back Slope The area opposite of the foreslope (see 9.8.3), also referring to the
reef flat or inner part of a barrier reef or atoll.
9.8.3 Foreslope (Outer Reef The outer, seaward margin of a coral reef, also referring to the
Slope) seaward side of a barrier reef or atoll.
9.8.4 Lagoon A shallow (less than a depth of 200 m), sheltered body of water
separated from the open sea by coral reefs; also refers to the area
between the shore and a fringing reef, between the coast and a
barrier reef, or the portion of an atoll surrounded by the reef.
9.8.5 Inter-reef Soft Substrate Area between reefs typically consisting of sandy substrate (see 9.4),
but sometimes also with clay or silt sediments (see 9.5 and 9.6).

9.8.6 Inter-reef Rubble Substrate Area between reefs consisting predominantly of coral or calcareous
fragments.
9.9 Seagrass (submerged) A bottom habitat consisting predominantly of grass-like marine
flowering plants that grow and reproduce while submerged in
seawater, such as eelgrass and turtle grass.

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IUCN Habitats Classification Scheme
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9.10 Estuaries A semi-enclosed coastal embayment where fresh water and
seawater meet and mix.

10. Marine - Oceanic The pelagic habitat deeper than and beyond the continental or island
shelf (see 9.0 and 9.1).
10.1 Epipelagic (0–200 m) The oceanic pelagic environment from the surface to a depth of
around 200 m; also refers to the lighted or photic pelagic zone.
10.2 Mesopelagic (200–1,000 m) Uppermost oceanic pelagic aphotic zone from a depth of
approximately 200 to 1,000 m.
10.3 Bathypelagic (1,000–4,000 m) Pelagic aphotic zone lying between the mesopelagic and
abyssalpelagic zones between 1,000 to 4,000 m.
10.4 Abyssopelagic (4,000–6,000 m) Pelagic aphotic zone from a depth of 4,000 to 6,000 m.

11. Marine - Deep Ocean Floor The bottom habitats described in the marine deep ocean floor zone
(Benthic and Demersal) are used by both benthic (living on or in the substrate at the bottom)
and demersal (typically free-swimming near the bottom) organisms.

11.1 Continental Slope/Bathyl zone The bottom habitat on the steeper, seaward section of the continental
(200–4,000 m) or island margin from a depth of around 200 to 2,000 m.

11.1.1 Hard Substrate Bottom type consisting of loose or consolidated rock, including deep
karst systems (see 9.2 and 9.3).
11.1.2 Soft Substrate Bottom type consisting of mud or sand or a mixture of mud and sand;
most typically consisting of mud (see 9.4, 9.5, 9.6 for sediment
sizes).
11.2 Abyssal Plain (4,000–6,000 m) The nearly flat area of the deep ocean floor lying between 4,000 and
6,000 m.
11.3 Abyssal Mountain/Hills The hilly or mountainous area of the deep ocean floor lying between
(4,000–6,000m) 4,000 and 6,000 m.
11.4 Hadal/Deep Sea Trench (>6000 The bottom below 6,000 m.
m)
11.5 Seamount Extinct volcano or steep-sided formation that rises abruptly from the
deep sea floor but does not reach the surface.
11.6 Deep Sea Vents (Rifts/Seeps) An environment with ambient temperatures above normal, on the
deep sea floor that depends on geothermal energy as the basis for
biological productivity.

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IUCN Habitats Classification Scheme
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12. Marine - Intertidal Area of the shore between the extremes of high and low tides.

12.1 Rocky Shoreline Intertidal shore composed predominantly of consolidated rock or

boulders (see 9.2).
12.2 Sandy Shorelines and/or Intertidal shore composed predominantly of sandy sediments (see
Beaches, Sand Bars, Spits, etc. 9.4 for sediment size characteristics).
12.3 Shingle and/or Pebble Shoreline Intertidal shore composed predominantly of pebble and cobble
and/or Beaches sediments (see 9.3 for sediment size characteristics).
12.4 Mud Shoreline and Intertidal Intertidal shore or bottom composed predominantly of mud or sandy-
Mud Flats mud sediments (see 9.4 and 9.5 for sediment size characteristics).

12.5 Salt Marshes (Emergent A grassy area that extends along the shores of estuaries and
Grasses) sheltered coasts in temperate and subpolar regions with emergent
vegetation rooted in soils alternately inundated and drained by tidal
action.
12.6 Tidepools An intertidal depression in rocks or in sandy beaches that continues
to hold water during low tide (also called tidal pools).
12.7 Mangrove Submerged Roots Intertidal zone in mangrove forests (see 1.7).

13. Marine - Coastal/Supratidal Coastal habitats above the high tide mark These largely match to the coastal habitats used by Ramsar.

13.1 Sea Cliffs and Rocky Offshore To be defined. Would include limestone areas
Islands
13.2 Coastal Caves/Karst Karsts, sea caves and other subterranean hydrological systems
along the coast. (See 9.2 and 12.1).
13.3 Coastal Sand Dunes Dune systems (including humid dune slacks). Note that inland dune systems and sandspits along rivers or near lakes (not in
deserts) are not currently covered by this classification scheme. Code this under
18. Other.
13.4 Coastal Brackish/Saline Brackish to saline lagoons and lakes with at least one relatively
Lagoons/Marine Lakes narrow connection to the sea. Often formed from sea inlets by silting
and cut off from the sea by sand or mud banks.
13.5 Coastal Freshwater Lakes Includes freshwater delta lagoons (see 5.5 and 5.6).

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IUCN Habitats Classification Scheme
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14. Artificial - Terrestrial
14.1 Arable Land Includes cereal fields, rice paddies, perennial crops, orchards and Secondary grasslands may be coded here or under 14.2, depends on the usage.
groves (but see 14.3 and 14.4).
14.2 Pastureland Includes fertilized or re-seeded permanent grasslands, sometimes
treated with selective herbicides, with very impoverished flora and
fauna. Also includes secondary grasslands and wooded farmland.
14.3 Plantations A plantation is an intentional planting of a crop, on a larger scale,
usually for uses other than cereal production or pasture. The term is
currently most often used for plantings of trees and shrubs. The term
tends also to be used for plantings maintained on economic bases
other than that of subsistence farming. Plantations are typically (but
not exclusively) found in tropical or semitropical countries and usually
require resident labourers.
Examples include cotton, tobacco, sugar cane, banana, sisal,
coffee, rubber, oil palm, coconut, timber trees, pineapples.
14.4 Rural Gardens Rural gardens are located in a rural setting, serving families whose Market gardens should be coded here.
main income comes from wage labour (rural or urban). Rural gardens
differ from arable land production by the following features which are
usually, but by no means in all cases, found simultaneously: (1)
cropping plants for personal consumption that cannot be collected
nor supplied by arable farming, (2) small plots, (3) proximity to the
house, (4) fencing, (5) mixed or dense planting of a great number of
annual, semi-permanent, and perennial crops, (6) a high intensity of
land use, (7) land cultivation several times a year, (8) permanence of
cultivation, and (9) cultivation with hand implements. These gardens
also provide space and/or fodder for the raising of small animals
(usually poultry, rodents and small ruminants). In extreme cases, the
rural garden may be the only source of livelihood and income for the
rural poor. If enough space is available, small cash crops may be
produced and exchanged or sold for purchased food.

14.5 Urban Areas Occurs throughout the world. Usually metropolitan and commercial
areas dominated by asphalt, concrete and roof. Includes buildings,
lawns and parks.

14.6 Subtropical/Tropical Heavily Former subtropical or tropical forest that has been extensively There is currently no differentiation between lowland and montane types.
Degraded Former Forest cleared or impacted by human activities. Often there is some degree
of regeneration or there are small fragments of forest remaining.

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15. Artificial - Aquatic These are human-made wetland habitats Mostly match those of Ramsar.
15.1 Water Storage Areas Generally over 8 ha. Includes reservoirs, barrages, dams and
impoundments.
15.2 Ponds Generally below 8 ha. Includes farm ponds, stock ponds, small tanks.

15.3 Aquaculture Ponds For example, fish or shrimp ponds.

15.4 Salt Exploitation Sites Salt pans, salines, etc.
15.5 Excavations (open) Gravel, brick, clay pits, borrow pits and mining pools.
15.6 Wastewater Treatment Areas Sewage farms, settling ponds, oxidation basins, etc.
15.7 Irrigated Land Includes irrigation channels and paddy (rice) fields.
15.8 Seasonally Flooded Agricultural Including intensively managed or grazed wet meadow or pasture.
Land
15.9 Canals and Drainage Channels, Linear excavations (varying enormously in size) made specifically to
Ditches improve drainage of farmland, for controlling river courses, for
controlling flow of water, for allowing ship movement, etc.
15.10 Karst and Other Subterrranean Human-made subterranean systems.
Hydrological Systems

15.11 Marine Anthropogenic Artificial reefs, docks, seawalls, rip rap, etc.
Structures
15.12 Mariculture Cages Cages (made out of net or mesh) located in an open environment
which includes both the sea and inland brackish water areas, for the
culture of organisms, both plants and animals.
15.13 Mari/Brackish-culture Ponds Human-made saltwater or brackish ponds for the cultivation of
organisms, both plants and animals.

16. Introduced Vegetation Includes only non-cultivated species or those that have escaped from No type specified
cultivation.

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17. Other A habitat type not covered by any of the other categories in the No type specified
system.

18. Unknown The habitat is unknown.

Additional Notes:
1. Habitats are recorded in the SIS database via the Habitats module using the "Add General Habitat Information" or "Quick Add to General Habitat Information" functions.
2. For each habitat recorded, additional required information is requested on how suitable and how important the habitat is to the taxon concerned.
3. The Coral Reef habitats (9.8) have a third-level, which is not mandatory, unlike other instances where there are three levels.

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