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
32
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
1
m
Tree Cover
60
%
Shrub Cover
35
%
Field Cover
90
%
Nonvascular Cover
40
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Resample of 13-year old permanent plot. Corners are now monumented with rebar stakes painted light blue.
Most of the differences between the resampled data and the original 2001 plot can probably be attributed to the earlier sampling date of the former (June 6 vs. August 10). More herbaceous species are present in the resampled plot, and others, particularly Veratrum viride, have higher cover due to their seasonal growth cycles. All the larger trees of the original plot are still present and have grown considerably, but the shrubs Alnus serrulata and Hamamelis virginiana have both suffered a decline in stem density. Two highly invasive exotics - Microstegium vimineum and Celastrus orbiculatus - have become established at low cover, while a third - Ficaria verna - has invaded several areas not far to the east of the plot. The latter is well adapted to saturated habitats, is highly invasive via stolons and perennial tubers, and poses a major potential threat to this seepage swamp. The deer grazing impacts noted in the 2001 sample were not seen in the 2014 resample.
