*2.3.3 Microterrain units*

The mesoterrain units were divided into subdivisions called microterrain units. Microterrain units were further nested subdivisions of mesoterrain units, which were based mainly on landforms for the erosion-dominated surfaces and landforms plus soils condition. The protocols repeatedly identified landscape units. And two additional levels below the 8th level (NHEU) were added. The 9th level of Ecological sites (ESs) was designed and implemented by using important data on ESs, nested to ECOMAP; the 10th and finest-grain level of vegetation stands were subdivisions of individual polygons of ESs based on differences in disturbance histories (fire, grazing, and human activities) (**Table 2**). The vegetation stands were studied and described by vegetation characteristics, representing fine-scale variations in regional climate, sitespecific moisture, nutrient regimes, and disturbance histories (**Figure 4A** and **B**).
