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
400
m²
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Tree Height
32
m
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot location: In backswamp of Bull Run floodplain, ca. 0.2 mi. SW of Stone Bridge on US 29.
No surface rocks present.
The habitat of this plot is seasonally flooded, with clay-rich soils. Flooding depth is ca. 25 cm in the lowest sloughs. Vegetation is a good example of a fairly mature swamp forest dominated by Quercus palustris, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, and Acer negundo. The herbaceous flora features species typical of seasonally flooded sloughs (e.g., Saururus cernuus, Carex lupulina, Carex typhina), along with species restricted to better-drained hummocks (e.g., Circaea lutetiana spp. canadensis, Allium canadense, Elymus riparius). The exotic, invasive grass Microstegium vimineum is a distinct threat to the integrity of this forest.