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
200
m²
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Shrub Height
2.59999990463257
m
Field Height
0
m
Shrub Cover
30
%
Field Cover
99
%
Nonvascular Cover
10
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
This is one of the largest, graminoid-dominated openings in a 0.8-ha (2-acre) shrubby fen in a lateral seepage area flanking Rattle Creek. This opening is centered on a diffuse area of groundwater discharge characterized by several small, anastomosing rills. Shrubs and small trees of Thuja occidentalis, Salix sericea, Hypericum densiflorum var. interior, and other species are actively invading from the edges. If the goal of future management is to restore an open wetland across the site, this stand is probably the best reference for desired future conditions. Populations of the rare sedges Carex interior and Rhynchospora capillacea are phenomenal, and they are joined by good populations of the rarities Parnassia grandifolia and Juncus brachycephalus. Saccharum giganteum is an interesting grass that is disjunct from eastern Virginia; it may have been introduced through past cattle grazing.
