Position of the plot on land surface (e.g., Summit, shoulder, upper slope, middle slope, lower slope, toeslope, no slope, channel bed, dune swale, pond).
closed List of Values:
Value
Description
Sorting
Interfluve
(crest, summit, ridge): linear top of ridge, hill, or mountain; the elevated area between two fluves (drainageways) that sheds water to the drainageways.
1
High slope
(shoulder slope, upper slope, convex creep slope): geomorphic component that forms the uppermost inclined surface at the top of a slope. Comprises the transition zone from backslope to summit. Surface is dominantly convex in profile and erosional in origin.
2
High level
(mesa, high flat): level top of plateau
3
Midslope
(transportational midslope, middle slope): intermediate slope position
4
Backslope
(dipslope): subset of midslopes which are steep, linear, and may include cliff segments (fall faces).
5
Step in slope
(ledge, terracette): nearly level shelf interrupting a steep slope, rock wall, or cliff face.
6
Lowslope
(lower slope, foot slope, colluvial footslope): inner gently inclined surface at the base of a slope. Surface profile is generally concave and a transition between midslope or backslope, and toe slope.
7
Toeslope
(alluvial toeslope): outermost gently inclined surface at base of a slope. In profile, commonly gentle and linear and characterized by alluvial deposition.
8
Low level
(terrace, low flat): valley floor or shoreline representing the former position of an alluvial plain, lake, or shore.
9
Channel wall
(bank): sloping side of a channel.
10
Channel bed
(narrow valley bottom, gully arroyo): bed of single or braided watercourse commonly barren of vegetation and formed of modern alluvium.
11
Basin floor
(depression): nearly level to gently sloping, bottom surface of a basin.