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
30
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
80
%
Shrub Cover
60
%
Field Cover
2
%
Nonvascular Cover
5
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot captures a narrow, linear Nyssa biflora swamp in the upper reaches of a headwater tributary of Cherry Orchard Branch. The area appears to be shallowly seasonally flooded and wet for much of the year, but was dry on the date of this survey following weeks of summer drought. The bases of the trees are swollen and moss covered, and the ground has patches of Sphagnum mosses, with little herbaceous cover.