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
20
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
2
m
Tree Cover
50
%
Shrub Cover
40
%
Field Cover
80
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Open-canopy red maple swamp at back edge of False Cape dunes, in a zone that is transitional to wind-tidal vegetation along the margin of Back Bay. Hydrology of the sample site is somewhat ambiguous; it appears to be seasonally flooded with groundwater, but also subject to occasional surges from exceptionally high wind tides. The understory and herbaceous vegatation are very thick and relatively diverse for a martime swamp. Phragmites australis is abundant in the adjacent wind-tidal shrublands and marshes, and appears to be invading part of the swamp forest.
0-25 cm: fibric peat
25+ cm: white sand
sample not collected
Disturbance Data:
Disturbance Type
Disturbance Intensity
Disturbance Comment
unknown
Two exotic species (Phragmites australis, Microstegium vimineum) present in small numbers; Phragmites is abundant in adjacent marsh and may be increasing in the swamp forest. Extensive ground disturbance by feral hogs near plot.