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
200
m²
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Shrub Height
3
m
Field Height
1
m
Shrub Cover
30
%
Field Cover
27
%
Nonvascular Cover
2
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
This plot is representative of the deeper, open part of pond S105-13. This pond was not studied or plot-sampled during Rawinski's 1995-96 study of the Grafton Ponds. The habitat supports an exemplary stand of Cephalanthus occidentalis-dominated shrubland. Water marks on Cephalanthus stems are about 1 m above ground level, indicating relatively deep seasonal flooding. The habitat was completely exposed and fairly dry on the date of sampling. Herbaceous vegetation was dominated by Panicum verrucosum, with a few other species present at low cover. The margins and two ends of this opening contain fairly thick stands of shrubs, but Cephalanthus has died out of the central part of the opening, leaving abundant wood debris. Remaining stands exhibit extensive branch die-back and do not appear healthy or vigorous.
0-30 cm: organic peat with some silt in lower portion of horizon
30+ cm: white clay with black inclusions (charcoal?)
sample included clay and organic soil; clay too deep to obtain clean sample.
Disturbance Data:
Disturbance Type
Disturbance Intensity
Disturbance Comment
unknown
Cephalanthus die-back in about one-half of the pond
