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
15
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
3
m
Tree Cover
25
%
Shrub Cover
20
%
Field Cover
90
%
Nonvascular Cover
99
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot located in a boggy, sphagnous, seepage wetland on the upper terrace of a small montane stream valley. Seepage evidently discharges from the base of the adjoining slope to the north and is perched on the terrace before ultimately draining into the adjacent stream on the south. The plot captures the most open part of the wetland, an isolated, fern-dominated (Osmundastrum cinnamomeum) opening with scattered small trees. Sphagnum has almost a continuous cover and forms hummocks. Observations in 1991 noted much higher cover of Symplocarpus foetidus; these were made earlier in the growing season and it is possible that the species had largely died back at the time of the 2013 visit. Two species of lung lichen (Lobaria pulmonaria and L. quercizans) are abundant on the red maple trees, generally indicating good air quality at this site. Large pitch pines occur on the margins of the bog, and several dead saplings of this species were noted. Numerous seedlings of Acer rubrum, Pinus strobus, and Kalmia latifolia were noted.
No mineral soil present for at least 50 cm deep. Substrate of Sphagnum, grading to fibric peat.
Disturbance Data:
Disturbance Type
Disturbance Intensity
Disturbance Comment
unknown
Pitch pine windthrow just outside plot. Microstegium vimineum invading edge of plot near stream (heavy in surrounding, better drained floodplain). Hydrology intact despite road on upslope side.
