Palustrine Scrub/Shrub Wetland - Includes all tidal and non tidal wetlands dominated by woody vegetation less than 5 meters in height, and all such wetlands that occur in tidal areas in which salinity due to ocean-derived salts is below 0.5 percent. Total vegetation coverage is greater than 20 percent. The species present could be true shrubs, young trees and shrubs, or trees that are small or stunted due to environmental conditions (Cowardin et al. 1979).

Characteristic species: Alders (Alnus spp.), willows (Salix spp.), buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), red osier dogwood (Cornus stolonifera), honeycup (Zenobia pulverenta), spirea (Spiraea douglassii), bog birch (Betula pumila), and young trees such as red maple (Acer rubrum) and black spruce (Picea mariana).