Michigan's Natural Communities

Code Definitions
AlvarG2?S1
BogG3G5S4
Boreal ForestGUS3
Bur Oak PlainsG1SXSX
CaveG4?S1
Clay BluffsGNRS2
Coastal FenG1G2S2
Coastal Plain MarshG2S2
Dry Northern ForestG3?S3
Dry Sand PrairieG3S2
Dry Southern ForestG4S3
Dry-mesic Northern ForestG4S3
Dry-mesic PrairieG3S1
Dry-mesic Southern ForestG4S3
Emergent MarshGUS4
Floodplain ForestG3?S3
Granite Bedrock GladeG3G5S2
Granite Bedrock LakeshoreG4G5S2
Granite CliffG4G5S2
Granite Lakeshore CliffGUS1
Great Lakes BarrensG3S2
Great Lakes MarshG2S3
Hardwood-Conifer SwampG4S3
Hillside PrairieG3S1
Inland Salt MarshG1S1
Interdunal WetlandG2?S2
Intermittent WetlandG2S3
Inundated Shrub SwampG4S3
Lakeplain Oak OpeningsG2?S1
Lakeplain Wet PrairieG2S1
Lakeplain Wet-mesic PrairieG1?S1
Limestone Bedrock Glade G2G4S2
Limestone Bedrock LakeshoreG3S2
Limestone CliffG4G5S2
Limestone Cobble ShoreG2G3S3
Limestone Lakeshore CliffG4G5S1
Mesic Northern ForestG4S3
Mesic PrairieG2S1
Mesic Sand PrairieG2S1
Mesic Southern ForestG2G3S3
MuskegG4G5S3
Northern Bald GUS1
Northern FenG3S3
Northern Hardwood SwampG4S3
Northern Shrub ThicketG4S5
Northern Wet MeadowG4G5S4
Oak BarrensG2?S1
Oak OpeningsG1S1
Oak-Pine BarrensG3S2
Open DunesG3S3
Patterned FenGUS2
Pine BarrensG3S2
Poor Conifer SwampG4S4
Poor FenG3S3
Prairie FenG3S3
Rich Conifer SwampG4S3
Rich Tamarack SwampG4S3
Sand and Gravel BeachG3?S3
Sandstone Bedrock LakeshoreG4G5S2
Sandstone CliffG4G5S2
Sandstone Cobble ShoreG2G3S2
Sandstone Lakeshore CliffG3S2
SinkholeG3G5S2
Southern Hardwood SwampG3S3
Southern Shrub-carrGUS4
Southern Wet MeadowG4?S3
Submergent MarshGUS4
Volcanic Bedrock GladeGUS2
Volcanic Bedrock LakeshoreG4G5S2
Volcanic CliffG4G5S2
Volcanic Cobble ShoreG4G5S3
Volcanic Lakeshore CliffGUS1
Wet PrairieG3S1
Wet-mesic FlatwoodsG2G3S2
Wet-mesic PrairieG2S1
Wet-mesic Sand PrairieG2G3S2
Wooded Dune and Swale ComplexG3S3
G1
Critically imperiled globally because of extreme rarity (5 or fewer occurrences range-wide or very few remaining individuals or acres) or because of some factor(s) making it especially vulnerable to extinction.
G2
Imperiled globally because of rarity (6 to 20 occurrences or few remaining individuals or acres) or because of some factor(s) making it very vulnerable to extinction throughout its range.
G3
Either very rare and local throughout its range or found locally (even abundantly at some of its locations) in a restricted range (e.g. a single western state, a physiographic region in the East) or because of other factor(s) making it vulnerable to extinction throughout its range; in terms of occurrences, in the range of 21 to 100.
G4
Apparently secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
G5
Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
GH
Of historical occurrence throughout its range, i.e. formerly part of the established biota, with the expectation that it may be rediscovered (e.g. Bachman's Warbler).
GU
Possibly in peril range-wide, but status uncertain; need more information.
GX
Believed to be extinct throughout its range (e.g. Passenger Pigeon) with virtually no likelihood that it will be rediscovered.
S1
Critically imperiled in the state because of extreme rarity (5 or fewer occurrences or very few remaining individuals or acres) or because of some factor(s) making it especially vulnerable to extirpation in the state.
S2
Imperiled in state because of rarity (6 to 20 occurrences or few remaining individuals or acres) or because of some factor(s) making it very vulnerable to extirpation from the state.
S3
Rare or uncommon in state (on the order of 21 to 100 occurrences).
S4
Apparently secure in state, with many occurrences.
S5
Demonstrably secure in state and essentially ineradicable under present conditions.
SX
Apparently extirpated from state.

Citation

Cohen, J.G., M.A. Kost, B.S. Slaughter, D.A. Albert, J.M. Lincoln, A.P. Kortenhoven, C.M. Wilton, H.D. Enander, and K.M. Korroch. 2020. Michigan Natural Community Classification [web application]. Michigan Natural Features Inventory, Michigan State University Extension, Lansing, Michigan. Available https://mnfi.anr.msu.edu/communities/classification. (Accessed: December 12, 2024).