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
34
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
85
%
Shrub Cover
70
%
Field Cover
5
%
Nonvascular Cover
1
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
The plot is situated on the highest terrace of the broad Jones Hole Swamp bottomland upstream from the Sussex/Prince George Co. line. The sample site is essentially an "island" that lies approximately one or two meters in elevation higher than surrounding swamps. Hydrology of this site is very difficult to assess. It appears to be undergoing very little in the way of active alluvial processes and appears to be rarely impacted by overland flooding except in catastrophic events or more frequently in shallow swales that cut through the terrace. The upper soil horizon is sandy and appears well-drained; however, based on soils examined in the lower parts of the swamp, the sandy horizon probably overlies an impermeable clay lens at 1-2 meters. Thus, the site is functionally equivalent to a non-riverine saturated flat in which seasonally perched groundwater is a more important hydrologic regime than temporary overland flooding. Forest vegetation is also consistent with non-riverine sites, consisting of hydrophytic oaks (primarily Quercus michauxii) over an understory of Ilex opaca, Arundinaria tecta, and Carpinus caroliniana.
