What We're Measuring

Forest Fragmentation Categories Defined

	Class	Description
	Patch Forest*	Forest pixels that comprise a small forested area surrounded by non forested land cover.
	Edge Forest*	Forest pixels that define the boundary between core forest and large non forested land cover features.
	Perforated Forest*	Forest pixels that define the boundary between core forest and relatively small clearings (perforations) within the forested landscape.
	Core Forest*	Forest pixels that are relatively far from the forest-nonforest boundary. Essentially these are forested areas surrounded by more forested areas.Core forest is divided into three classes. Small core consists of those forest patches that are smaller than 250 acres. Medium core forest patches are between 250 and 500 acres and large core forest patches are greater than 500 acres. For more information, visit the core forest explained section.
	Developed	High-density built-up areas typically associated with commercial, industrial and residential activities and transportation routes. These areas can be expected to contain a significant amount of impervious surfaces, roofs, roads, and other concrete and asphalt surfaces.
	Non-forest	Non-forested areas including turf & grass, other grass, agricultural field, non-forested wetlands, tidal wetlands and barren land. These areas, along with developed land, are considered fragmenting features.
	Water	Open water bodies and watercourses with relatively deep water. Water is not considered a fragmenting feature.

* Forest is comprised of the following land cover categories: deciduous forest, coniferous forest and forested wetland.

No Change Classes
	Class	Description
	Fragmented Forest No Change	Patch, perforated and edge forest together.
	Core Forest No Change	Small core, medium core and large core forest together.
	Non-forest No Change	All non-forest land cover types including developed, turf and grass, other grass, agricultural field, wetland, barren or utility.
1985-2006 Change Classes
	Fragmented Forest to Non-forest	These areas belong to a fragmented forest class in time 1 and were converted to a non-forest class in time 2. Actual forest cover was lost.
	Core Forest to Fragmented Forest Change	These areas were part of a core forest class in time 1 and a fragmented forest class in time 2. They represent a degradation of the forest, but not a loss. These areas remain part of the forest cover.
	Core Forest to Non-forest Change	This represents the most severe change to the forest resource where core forest in time 1 is converted to non-forest in time 2. Actual forest cover is lost.
	Water	Open water bodies and watercourses. Water is not considered a fragmenting feature.