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
30
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
90
%
Shrub Cover
55
%
Field Cover
50
%
Nonvascular Cover
2
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
The habitat is an alluvial flat along a headwaters branch of Seacorrie Swamp in the newly established Big Woods State Forest. The ground surface is irregular and has shallow depressions that hold water, at least early in the growing season. There is a vague, shallow stream channel along the west edge of the plot. Numerous short (< 1m) baldcypress knees with mini-hummocks add to the topographic complexity. The adjacent slope to the west supports a recently burned pine plantation; the swamp serves as a natural fire break for prescribed fires, but is impacted along the edge. The forest is a young to medium-aged stand dominated by Nyssa biflora but containing some Taxodium distichum, Acer rubrum, and Liquidambar styraciflua. Clethra alnifolia and Viburnum nudum have the highest cover in a locally dense shrub layer. Saururus cernuus dominates the herb layer.
