Releve 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
100
m²
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Tree Cover
1
%
Shrub Cover
30
%
Field Cover
90
%
Nonvascular Cover
70
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
The habitat of this plot is a high elevation seepage wetland supporting a mosaic of shrub thickets and graminoid-dominated herbaceous openings with a few scattered, stunted trees present. Although clearly not an ombrotrophic system, this community type is often referred to as a southern Appalachian "bog." Many localized high elevation and northern species occur here: Abies fraseri, Carex trisperma var. trisperma, Eriophorum virginicum, etc. This wetland has been slightly degraded by feral ponies and the presence of a few exotic plants (e.g., Holcus lanatus).
Plot located in boggy opening in shrub thickets at the head of Quebec Branch ("Sullivan Swamp"), 0.3 mi WNW of Massie Gap.