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
25
%
Field Cover
70
%
Nonvascular Cover
0.5
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot positioned on a low, narrow berm / terrace within a large Nyssa aquatica swamp near Austin Branch. A linear, 10 X 40 meter sample configuration was employed to maintain environmental and compositional homogeneity. The habitat is perhaps a meter or two higher in elevation than the surrounding swamp, is better drained, and supports distinctly different vegetation. Seasonal flooding here, if any, must be very short and shallow; more likely, this ridge is merely flooded temporarily during high water events. The canopy contains Fraxinus pennsylvanica and Taxodium distichum, but a massive Quercus lyrata dominates the canopy cover of the plot area. Carpinus caroliniana is a common small tree and the sedge Carex grayi forms large patches. Vines such as Bignonia, Campsis, and Toxicodendron sprawl on the ground and climb up tree trunks.
