Vegetation description criterion

I-Qualitative description

Intact

Degraded

Highly degraded

Deforested

Vegetation type

Mixture of at least three layers (top, middle and bottom)

Mixture of at least two layers

Mixed vegetation with an open canopy, large trees are rare

Few or no trees, vegetation dominated by grasses and shrubs

Canopy closure

Dense and continuous with little or no sunlight penetration

Dense but interrupted with low sunlight penetration

Very open with sunlight penetration but shaded areas present

Very open with full sunlight penetration

Under growth vegetation density in terms of woody perennials, trees, shrubs, etc.

Very low, very free passage

Intermediate free passage

High, no free movements

Very high (vegetation composed of thick bushes and areas of bare earth)

Indicators (proportion of tree growth stages)

Weak presence of seedlings and saplings

Average presence of seedlings and saplings

High presence of seedlings, saplings and posts

High presence of grasses, shrubs and stunted vegetation

Forest soil moisture and litter humidity

High relative humidity and very moist litter

Moderate humidity at times, not very wet litter

Low humidity and dry litter

Very low humidity and very dry litter that burns easily

II- Quantitative criteria (REDD + criteria)

Surface (ha)

1

1

1

1

% maximum big trees retained

70 - 100

50

10

0

Canopy height (m)

≥5

≥5

≥5

0

Canopy closure (%)

≥30

<30

<10

0