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
28
m
Shrub Height
4
m
Field Height
7
m
Tree Cover
80
%
Shrub Cover
20
%
Field Cover
60
%
Nonvascular Cover
1
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
This plot is located in an exceptionally wide section of the forested Appomattox River floodplain, where the historic High Bridge railroad trestle (now converted to a state park trail) crosses. Because the park owns only a narrow strip of land on either side of the bridge, a long, narrow (10 x 40 m) plot was positioned with one long axis on the fenced boundary with adjacent private land. The forest is continuous across this boundary, but the private land side is actively grazed by livestock and much of the herbaceous growth has been depleted. The habitat is a shallow depression, about 270 m from the river channel, that was dry on the sampling date, but holds shallow water for much of the year. About 25% of the plot, in the deepest part of the depression, is covered with leaf litter and lacks vegetation. The stand is fairly mature and dominated by even-aged Quercus palustris, with some Q. lyrata (and Q. phellos outside the plot). The shrub layer is open and sedges dominate the herb flora. Toward the river, the floodplain is more elevated and supports a richer forest with Acer floridanum, Fagus grandifolia, and nutrient-demanding herbs (see plot PRIE007 from the other side of the river).
