Cowardin classification system

The Cowardin classification system is a system for classifying wetlands, devised by Lewis M. Cowardin et al. in 1979 for the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The system includes five main types of wetland:

• Marine wetlands, exposed to the open ocean
• Estuarine wetlands, partially enclosed by land and containing a mix of fresh and salt water
• Riverine wetlands, associated with flowing water
• Lacustrine wetlands, associated with a lake or other body of fresh water
• Palustrine wetlands, freshwater wetlands not associated with a river or lake.

See also

• Wetland conservation
• Wetlands of the United States

References

• Cowardin, L. M.; Carter, V.; Golet, F. C.; LaRoe, E. T. "Classification of wetlands and deepwater habitats of the United States". U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. Archived from the original on 21 January 2014. Retrieved 26 April 2015.