Conservation Status and Classification

How vulnerable is a natural community to being eliminated? How similar or dissimilar is it to other natural communities? These questions are answered by naming and classifying natural communities, which helps us identify them and understand where each is found.

The U.S. National Vegetation Classification is the standard often used to classify natural communities.

Conservation Status

Conservation status indicates how vulnerable a natural community is. Learn more about conservation status, which can be measured globally and regionally.

Global Conservation Status: G3 – Vulnerable
Subnational Conservation Status:
MD: SNR – Not yet assessed
VA: S2S3 – Imperiled to Vulnerable
WV: SNR – Not yet assessed

Classification

Official names reduce the confusion by providing a common language for talking about natural communities. Why so many names?

Abbreviated Common Name: Riverbar Drawdown Shore
Common Name: Riverbar Drawdown Shore (Appalachian-Atlantic)
Scientific Name Translated: Teal Lovegrass - Marsh Seedbox - Yellowseed False Pimpernel - Bearded Flatsedge Riverbar Wet Meadow
Classification Code: CEGL006483