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
800
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
7
m
Tree Cover
85
%
Shrub Cover
60
%
Field Cover
30
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Sampled stand is part of an extensive forest covering a broad, mostly flat floodplain along the Meherrin River. Except for a narrow backswamp, most of this site appears to pool water only in very shallow depressions. The plot is situated between a logging road, a deep narrow swale, and a gasline right-of-way, and is located in a portion of the forest with many mature oaks. Stand age was estimated by Internation Paper to be 53 years, but some trees are obviously much older. This stand has a variable and diverse overstory and understory; an 800 square meter plot was sampled to adequately capture this diversity. The herbaceous flora was likely reduced by the late date and extended drought, and a spring revisit is needed.
