Large wetland herb-shrub complex in an open valley bottom. Other community types include (1) Rosa palustris - Typha and (2) Alnus (plot GRAN.2).;Large wet meadow dominated by Calamagrostis canadensis and Carex stricta. Area drained by small headwater streams which probably flood large areas during high water. Area may have been altered by agriculture in past and it is not clear how much of the open meadow would have occurred pre-settlement. Grazing or haying likely expanded this community type and decreased forested swamp. Note from Elizabeth: this open meadow bears a strong resemblance to historic game-rich glade descriptions by Meshach Browning and Valentine Selders in the early-mid 1800's. A similar community at Piney Swamp has not been disturbed by the landowner for at least the last 40 years. So, it is possible that this might be a naturally open meadow.
Representativeness
Plot placed in center of large patch of wet meadow. Some areas have more Calamagrostis, some more Carex stricta. (see air photo for stand size)
