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
32
m
Shrub Height
5
m
Field Height
7
m
Tree Cover
80
%
Shrub Cover
55
%
Field Cover
75
%
Nonvascular Cover
1
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
The plot documents a relatively small seepage swamp situated where groundwater discharges along the side of a small headwaters branch. This vegetation of this habitat is distinct from that of the adjacent, small, well-drained floodplain, being characterized by large colonies of Symplocarpus foetidus and the presence of obligate hydrophytic herbs, e.g., Impatiens capensis, Carex prasina, Cinna arundinacea, Viola cucullata, Chrysosplenium americanum. Some upland mesophytes also occur on better-drained hummocks between the seepage channels. The site is very close to an agricultural field and invasive exotics (especially Microstegium vimineum) are becoming a major problem throughout this headwaters area.