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
36
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
1
m
Tree Cover
85
%
Shrub Cover
50
%
Field Cover
40
%
Nonvascular Cover
2
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
This plot is located at the western edge of the Great Dismal Swamp, in a low area near Moss Swamp with particularly with large trees. There has been recent overland flooding, but at the time of the survey, there is no standing water. This habitat likely receives groundwater sheet flows and shallow overland flooding through shallow, braided channels, but is probably best characterized as saturated by a seasonally perched water table. The canopy is co-dominated by large Quercus michauxii and Q. laurifolia. Carpinus caroliniana and Ilex opaca dominate the shrub / small tree strata. Ferns and sedges are prevalent in the patchy herb layer.