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
3
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
60
%
Shrub Cover
20
%
Field Cover
20
%
Nonvascular Cover
2
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
This site was visited based on study of aerial photographs, which clearly showed a substantial isolated wetland on the flat upland terrace along the north side of Chotank Creek. Field inspection confirmed that the site is a shallow, seasonally flooded depression that supports a classic wetland forest of acidic ponds and depressions. Quercus phellos, Liquidambar styraciflua, and Nyssa sylvatica are the only trees present, and shrubs (primarily Vaccinium fuscatum and Smilax rotundifolia) are sparse and mostly confined to the wetland border. Carex joorii is the only herb with significant cover. Much of the ground is covered by leaf litter with scattered patches of Sphagnum. The dominant willow oaks are large and mature, but the site has been disturbed by vehicular rutting in the past, as well as the death of several oaks. Water marks on the trees indicate that average flooding depth is 10-20 cm.
