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:
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
3
m
Shrub Cover
40
%
Field Cover
70
%
Nonvascular Cover
0.5
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot boundaries estimated to avoid trampling habitat. Dimensions are very close to 5 x 20 m (100 sq. m.). The plot captures much of a tiny (about 150 to 200 sq. m.) ridgecrest pond located in the saddle of a fairly steep spur ridge jutting off the west side of the Blue Ridge near Buena Vista. Although extremely small, this wetland holds water for most, if not all, of the year and has a substrate of deep clayey muck. The vegetation consists of a thicket of Ilex verticillata along the south and west sides, with the remainder open with dense herbaceous growth. Two state-rare plants that are unknown elsewhere on the Blue Ridge occur here: Sagittaria rigida and Ranunculus ambigens. Scirpus cyperinus, Leersia oryzoides, Carex gynandra, and Polygonum hydropiperoides make up most of the herbaceous flora, along with the Sagittaria. Very little evidence of past or recent disturbance was noted here.
