"The cross section area of the stem or stems of a plant or of all plants in a stand, generally expressed as square units per unit area. Tree basal is used to determine percent stocking. For shrubs and herbs it is used to determine phytomass. Grasses, forbs, and shrubs usually measured at or less then 1 inch above soil level"@en . "Forestry Terms, About com., Web site, 2004." . "2018-04-13T15:52:05Z"^^ .