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
34
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
8
m
Tree Cover
70
%
Shrub Cover
60
%
Field Cover
80
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
This plot is representative of one of the older and least weedy floodplain forests observed along the New River in the middle stretch of the New River Trail State Park (see also plot NTSP006). The overstory of the stand is dominated by tall, medium- to large-diameter Platanus occidentalis and a younger cohort of slightly shorter Juglans nigra. Recruitment of these trees is absent in the mixed understory of Acer negundo, Celtis occidentalis, Carya cordiformis, Ulmus americana, and Fraxinus pennsylvanica. The herb layer is strongly patch-dominated by Hydrophyllum spp. and Packera aurea. Most of the narrow floodplains along this river were destroyed or altered by the construction of railroads, or were cleared and used for agriculture and livestock grazing. This site is located at the eastern end of one such field and may represent a small patch that remained forested due the narrow area between the railroad grade and the river.