Bedrock falls of the Shenandoah River. Train tracks across river but access to this side is difficult except by water (tube). Upstream and south is a large undisturbed floodplain/island/backchannel with silver maple - cottonwood and sycamore - ash - walnut forests.;This plot is mostly bare lichen and moss covered rock with small pools of water and patches of short trees, shrubs and herbs. There is a driftwood pile along the downstream side of the plot. Above the driftwood is a depositional bar with tall herbs. Tall sycamore overhangs part of the stand but is mostly open and sunny. Eupatorium coelestinum in flower.
Representativeness
Small patch of a Phyllite shelf with short battered sycamore and ash. Plot contains most of the small patch. Small plot used to maximize homogeneity and relative elevation, however, there is still a 0.5 meter variation between tops of rocks and hollows.
Water pollution and exotics are main human caused disturbance. Floods naturally. Probably under water every year several times, mostly in the spring? Lots of garbage located in the plot. (exotic plants, erosion)
