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
33
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
1
m
Tree Cover
85
%
Shrub Cover
20
%
Field Cover
60
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
This plot is on a very gentle slope between a riverside levee and a higher secondary terrace in the Nottoway River floodplain. Located about 25 meters from the river bank, the site supports a remnant of medium-age forest that predates extensive clearcutting on this fairly well drained floodplain about 40 years ago. The stand is likely representative of what much of the younger regeneration on the broad floodplain to the north will become, barring further disturbance. This forest has notable woody diversity, with eight trees present in the overstory, and an additional 20 small trees, shrubs, and woody vines in the understory. Quercus michauxii, Q. pagoda, Carya ovata, and C. cordiformis are probably most representative of later-successional overstory development, while Ilex opaca and Carpinus caroliniana are the most important shrubs / small trees. Several sedges and grasses contribute most of the herbaceous cover.
