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
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Field Height
1
m
Shrub Cover
5
%
Field Cover
90
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot located in the middle of the wetland. In spring, this greatly sloping headwater seasonally supports saturated soils and perhaps very shallow surface water. By summer no surface water is present and the soils become drier. Water is derived from seepage that apparently flows laterally through the open wetland. Seepage discharge is apparently much reduced by summer. Growing conditions are very harsh, perhaps because of magnesium-rich, nutrient-poor groundwater. The abundance of prairie grasses in this wetland (Sorghastrum nutans, Schizachyrium scoparium, Panicum virgatum) is probably a response to the unusual hydrologic regime and seasonal drying of the soils. The open wetland has not been disturbed by ditching, and large woody species seem to be excluded by the harsh, nutrient-poor, seasonally wet soils.
On 3 August Parnassia grandifolia was in early bloom, whereas at other sites it was not yet flowering. Early flowering at Piney Creek Bog may reflect seasonal drying out of the soil.
Zigadenus leimanthoides occurs outside the plot. Aletris farinosa and Pinus rigida were observed along a wet logging/farm road.
