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
31
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
95
%
Shrub Cover
65
%
Field Cover
45
%
Nonvascular Cover
1
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot placed in a well-drained, somewhat rich floodplain forest on a high alluvial terrace bordering the Appomattox River at the eastern end of the old High Bridge railroad trestle (now a trail and state park). An irregular, undulating ground surface at the east end of the plot may be an artifact of past disturbance, e.g., the berm of an old excavation located immediately to the east. Non-native weeds are sparse in and around the plot. A few trees were selectively logged in this floodplain decades ago. The current stand is co-dominated by mature individuals of Acer floridanum, Carya cordiformis, and Quercus shumardii. Platanus occidentalis, Liquidambar styraciflua, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Quercus phellos, Ulmus alata, and Liriodendron tulipifera are scattered overstory associates. Young Acer floridanum greately dominates the understory, while graminoids such as Festuca subverticillata, Poa autumnalis, and Carex amphibola are prevalent in the herb layer.
0-1 cm: leaf litter
1-10+ cm: medium brown silty clay loam
Disturbance Data:
Disturbance Type
Disturbance Intensity
Disturbance Comment
unknown
1865 photo of High Bridge and adjacent areas (on display at River Road parking area for High Bridge Trail State Park) shows that the location of this plot was cleared. Immediately east of the plot is a ~ 300 sq. m. depressed area that looks like a very old (now reforested) man-made excavation of some sort.