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Glossary of Terms

Coppice method

Regeneration method in which all trees in the previous stand are cut, and the majority of regeneration is from sprouts and root suckers.

Corridor

Elements of the landscape that connect similar areas. Streamside vegetation may create a corridor of willows and hardwoods between meadows where wildlife feed.

Cover

Any feature that conceals wildlife or fish. Cover may be dead or live vegetation, boulders, or undercut streambanks. Animals use cover to escape from predators, rest, or feed.

Cover Forage Ratio

The ratio of hiding cover to foraging areas for wildlife species.

Cover Type (forest cover type)

Stands of a particular vegetation type that are composed of similar species. The aspen cover type contains plants distinct from the pinyon-juniper cover type.

Created Opening

An opening in the forest cover created by the application of even-aged silvicultural practices.

Criteria air pollutants

A group of common air pollutants (such as carbon monoxide, particulate matter, or ozone) regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the basis of criteria (information on health and/or environmental effects of pollution). Criteria air pollutants are widely distributed across the country.

Critical Habitat

Areas designated for the survival and recovery of federally listed threatened or endangered species.

Crown fire

A fire burning into and through the crowns of a forest or shrubland.

Crown Height

The distance from the ground to the base of the crown of a tree.