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
38
m
Shrub Height
4
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
80
%
Shrub Cover
30
%
Field Cover
30
%
Nonvascular Cover
1
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
This plot is located in a large patch of oak flatwoods that occurs in a mosaic with deeply flooded Nyssa aquatica swamps and higher terrace forests, in a backswamp of the Merherrin River. The forest is of intermediate hydrology and contains depressions that hold water in the winter months. The stand has not been cut in a long time and is now mature, with dominant overstory trees (Quercus palustris, Quercus lyrata, Liquidambar, Carya aquatica) from 60 to 90 cm DBH. There is no evidence of recent disturbance, though there is a gasline right of way adjacent to the stand. A large cf. Fraxinus profunda was noted just outside the sample and Quercus pagoda occur in the surrounding area. Liveworts are common on a few, small hummocks.