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
33
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
90
%
Shrub Cover
3
%
Field Cover
0.5
%
Nonvascular Cover
0.5
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot captures the most deeply flooded portion of a large, sinuous, non-alluvial depression/swale in an extensive mesic oak flatwoods. The site is located on a high, likely fluvial-estuarine terrace that borders the Chickahominy River and extends away from it for approximately 5 miles. The depression supports a wetland forest dominated by Nyssa biflora, Quercus lyrata, Acer rubrum, and Liquidambar styraciflua; at the sampling site, some overstory dominants approach or exceed one meter DBH. There is little shrub or herb growth, and leaf litter or coarse woody debris cover most of the ground. Moss covers the bases of trees and their lateral roots. This stand evidently escaped cutting when the extensive oak flatwoods was clearcut a few decades ago.
0-3 cm: litter
3-40 cm: medium gray clay, no mottling noted
Disturbance Data:
Disturbance Type
Disturbance Intensity
Disturbance Comment
unknown
Microstegium vimineum in slightly drier habitat nearby. Red maple coppice regeneration present. Surrounding upland forest is even-aged and considerably younger than depression forest, suggesting it was clear-cut a few decades ago.
