Wetland Codes

THE CODES: A series of letter and number codes has been developed to adapt the national wetland classification system to map form. These alpha-numeric codes correspond to the classification nomenclature that best describes the habitat. (for example, PFO1A)

THE INTERPRETER: This tool will instantly provide the detailed habitat descriptions for an area represented by the wetland code. Enter a wetland area's map code into the interpreter and obtain the classification of that wetland area as defined in Cowardin et al (1979). Use the Wetland Code Interpreter.

Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats Classification Hierarchy

Map code diagram (PDF file) shows relationship of wetland systems (ex: estuarine), subsystems (ex: intertidal), and classes (ex: emergent wetland).

National Wetlands Classification Standard

Our map codes of wetland habitat types use the classification system in this Service publication: Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States, 1979, by Cowardin, Lewis M. et al.