<descriptor thcode="62"><thesaurus thcode="62" name="Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard" scope="Categories of ecosystems for coastal, estuarine, and marine environments." creator="FGDC" rights="public domain" date="2017-05-10" codetype="alpha" prefix="cmecs" uri="https://www2.usgs.gov/science/CMECS" tblname="cmecs" root_code="root" contact="pschweitzer"><category><term thcode="25" code="16" name="hierarchical" parent="11" scope="Substantive broader-narrower relationships exist among the terms."/><term thcode="25" code="16" name="hierarchical" parent="11" scope="Substantive broader-narrower relationships exist among the terms."/></category><altlabel><altlabel>CMECS</altlabel><altlabel>CMECS</altlabel><altlabel>Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard (CMECS)</altlabel><altlabel>Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard (CMECS)</altlabel></altlabel></thesaurus><term thcode="62" code="GC-065" name="Channel" parent="GC-011" scope="Geoform: A general term for a linear or sinuous depression on an otherwise more flat area (for example, a valley- or groove-like feature through which water flows). This is a very broad term that is often used in connection with other terms to provide more meaning."/><bt><term thcode="62" code="GC-011" name="Geologic" parent="GC-C052" scope="Geoform Origin: Geologic geoforms are formed by the abiotic processes of uplift, erosion, volcanism, deposition, fluid seepage, and material movement. ..."/><term thcode="62" code="GC-C052" name="Geoform (levels 1 and 2 subcomponents)" parent="GC-C005"/><term thcode="62" code="GC-C005" name="Geoform" parent="root"/><term thcode="62" code="root" name="CMECS" scope="Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard: Category terms encompassing waters from the head of tide or inland incursion of ocean salinity to the splash zone of the coasts to the deepest portions of the oceans and the deep waters of the Great Lakes."/></bt><nt><term thcode="62" code="GC-066" name="Pass/Lagoon Channel" parent="GC-065" scope="Geoform Type: A generally narrow passage way, open on both ends, through a shoal. In coral reef settings this feature connects the lagoon with the open ocean or bay."/><term thcode="62" code="GC-067" name="Sand Channel" parent="GC-065" scope="Geoform Type: These are narrow passages between, and in association with, pavement formations commonly oriented perpendicular to the shore. ..."/><term thcode="62" code="GC-068" name="Slough" parent="GC-065" scope="Geoform Type: (a) A sluggish body of water in a tidal flat, bottomland, or coastal marshland; may also be called bayous or oxbows. ..."/><term thcode="62" code="GC-069" name="Tidal Channel/Creek" parent="GC-065" scope="Geoform Type: Linear or sinuous body of water through which ebb-and-flood tidal movement takes place. Smaller tidal creeks often branch off of these features. Portions of tidal channels may be intertidal or completely subtidal."/></nt></descriptor>