Intensive Virginia Division of Natural Heritage, see http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural_heritage/documents/nh_plotform_instructions.pdf
Overall Taxon Cover Values are Automatically Calculated?
no
Stem Observation Area
1000
m²
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Tree Height
14.5
m
Shrub Height
3
m
Field Height
1
m
Tree Cover
40
%
Shrub Cover
5
%
Field Cover
15
%
Nonvascular Cover
1
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
This stand represents a more open, "cleaner" phase of this maritime community type. Relatively sparse are uneven, round-crowned shrubs of Quercus virginiana and Morella cerifera, and density of Smilax spp. and Vitis rotundifolia is notably low. This phase is relatively uncommon at False Cape, at least along the main road. Impact of Hurricane Isabel appears minor and limited to downed pine branchlets. There was very little foliar dieback from salt spray. Virtually no pine boles grow straight, which suggests that wind is a chronic disturbance. Several pine snags are present, but most are understory individuals. Depth of water table likely fluctuates with tide, seasonally, and with recent precipitation. Soil profile examined in module 1, < 10 m from poorly drained swale adjacent to plot. Heavy precipitation occurred ca. 15 hr before sampling, and rainfall has been ca. 20 in. above normal for the year. There is no evidence of a spodic horizon within 1 m of soil surface.
From main road through park near False Cape Landing, follow Ocean-Bay trail toward Back Bay. From third blazed stake from road, stake F stands 4.1 m @ 107 deg.
0 - ~5 - litter and duff (litter: duff depth ratio ca. 4:1; litter depth variable - up to ca. 10 cm)
5 - 25 - dark gray sand with evident mottling
25 - soil becomes visibly saturated; water table encountered by 35 cm, below which soil becomes uniformly medium brown
