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
5
m
Tree Cover
80
%
Shrub Cover
50
%
Field Cover
20
%
Nonvascular Cover
0
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Small, slightly elevated "islands" found throughout the Great Dismal Swamp support forests dominated by medium-sized to large Fagus grandifolia, with a shrub stratum characterized by Symplocos tinctoria. This sample captures a representative stand of this mesic forest, at the western edge of the Swamp, near Moss Swamp about 100 meters from the road. The stand is mature, with many trees 40 to 60 cm DBH, and recruitment of oaks and beech in the understory. The shrub layer is dense with small trees of oak and beech, and Ilex opaca, Carpinus caroliniana, and Symplocos tinctoria. Herbs are sparse, with most of the ground strata cover comprised of woody seedlings. See plots GDNR022 and 023 for additional examples of this type of swamp island community.