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
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Field Height
5
m
Field Cover
90
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot documents a salt flat or salt panne at the back edge of a salt marsh on the southwestern end of Cobb Island. The habitat is a shallow depression that accumulates salt through evaporation of flood waters. It is probably flooded only by the highest tides and storm surges, but has dense organic soil that impedes drainage. Sands from adjacent dunes to the southeast appear to be migrating into the marsh; thus the salt flat is probably an ephemeral habitat that will spatially shift as the back edge of the marsh is pushed westward. The vegetation consists of just three halophytes: Sarcocornia perennis (strongly dominant), Distichlis spicata, and the low-statured form of Spartina alterniflora.
