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
35
m
Tree Cover
80
%
Shrub Cover
30
%
Field Cover
80
%
Nonvascular Cover
5
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Stand located on the floodplain of Chopawamsic Creek, adjacent to the toeslope of a narrow ridge that separates creek from lateral drainage. All of the Tsuga canadensis individuals present in this alluvial forest are captured in the plot. Canopy consists of emergent Liquidambar styraciflua and Liriodendron tulipifera; Carpinus caroliniana dominates the subcanopy, and seedlings of Asimina triloba abound. Spring flooding probably occurs frequently; debris is evident at the bases of trees, especially in the near end of the plot, which lies closer to the creek. Some intermittent rivulet channels or abandoned side channels are present in this end of the plot as well. It appears that the health of Carpinus caroliniana may be influenced by siltation. There is no evidence of infestation by hemlock woolly adelgid.
Directions to plot: Follow gravel road along Chopawamsic Creek from Russell Road and park just after second crossing of creek. Follow creek downstream. Stake A stands ca. 30 m from unnamed tributary of creek and ca. 10 m @ 210 deg from 86-cm Liriodendron tulipifera.
