Though Anderson's 1976 classification is the most conventional LULC classification system, and at the same time NLCD 2011 being a subset of the earlier one, there is confusion with barren and water class level-2 classification. The major confusion is with class 7. Barren ( 71 Dry Salt Flats. 72 Beaches. 73 Sandy Areas other than Beaches....) What does the level-2 73 class mean? Is it the whole coastal line other than beaches (for instance, the yellow highlighted areas in the image attached)? What if the sand holds moisture content? Can't we classify it under the water class? If the latter case is acceptable, then it will be like violating Anderson's classification scheme. I have found that NLCD 2011 classification is a brief categorization whereas Anderson's is not. Can anyone suggest how to proceed with this confusion/issue?

Thank you very much in advance.