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
28
m
Shrub Height
4
m
Field Height
3
m
Tree Cover
75
%
Shrub Cover
35
%
Field Cover
20
%
Nonvascular Cover
30
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot corners marked with PVC pipe.
Plot captures a shallow, exsiccated depression with exposed substrate of Sphagnum and leaf litter. The habitat and vegetation is typical of numerous depressions occurring in a large "flatwoods" in the southern section of Huntley Meadows Park. Vegetation is a medium-age forest with trees generally ranging from 40 to 70 cm DBH. In the sample, Quercus phellos is strongly dominant, with a single Quercus palustris also present. Patches of tree saplings and shrubs (Vaccinium fuscatum, Gaylussacia baccata) occur on the wetland edges. The rare sedge Carex vestita forms a large rhizomatous colony in the floristically depauperate herb layer.