NJ Natural Heritage Program, NJDEP Division of Parks and Forestry, Office of Natural Lands Management, 22 S. Clinton Ave, Plaza Bldg 4, Fl. 4, PO Box 404 Trenton, NJ, 08625-0404
From wide bend in state park road at Hacklebarney, enter woods at SE side of road. Plot is located ~300m NE at stream edge. NE corner of plot is adjacent to old bridge concrete abutment.
GPS readings for other 3 plot corners: 1-SE) 40.76682, -74.71774; 2-SW) 40.76687, -74.71784; 3-NW) 40.76687, -74.71773
Shape
Square
Area
400
m²
Permanence
permanent plot
Layout Narrative
Transect endpoints are permanently marked with rebar. Distance and compass bearing measurements to the plot location with measurements of plot orientation off the transect were taken. GPS coordinates for each corner of the plot was taken with submeter accuracy.
Overall Taxon Cover Values are Automatically Calculated?
no
Stem Observation Area
400
m²
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(1) occurrence plot: sufficient for determining type occurrence
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Dominant Stratum
Tree
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Community Type: non-tidal floodplain forest
General description: Mesic floodplain forest on the west bank of the Lamington River, about 300-800' wide depending on location. Vegetated by a diverse mix of hardwoood species, with several being codominant. Floodplain has large exposed rocks on the landward wide, which ends at a narrow backswamp at the foot of a steep incline up +/- 50' field at the top. Backswamp is fed by an underground spring/seep and appears to be permanently wet. A few ditches cross the floodplain; they are vegetated by hydric forbs - ditches are dry at this time.;
Evidence of Community Processes: No evidence of recent flooding; no debris, no scouring.; Threats to EO: None as long as canopy remains intact, earthworm castings found near river edge.; Protection Comments: In private ownership but surrounded by public, protected lands.;
General Comments: Invasive species abound along the slope and in a few openings at the edge if the river, but floodplain community is in good shape - few invasive species.;
Species Composition and Biological Structure: good mixture of tree species, some quite old (i.e., 80cm DBH or greater).;
Ecological Processes: at one time, a road and bridge crossed floodplain, currently there are invasive species on edges, some sedimentation from uphill of backswamp.;
Community Description: Dry floodplain forest composed of mixed hardwood tree species (Acer rubrum, Betula alleghaniensis, Quercus spp., Carpinus caroliniana, Corylus sp.) with scanty shrub strata and a dense herbaceous layer of mixed ferns; dominant species is Thelypteris noveboracensis. Floodplain lies to the W of the N-S flowing Black (aka Lamington) River, and is bordered on its W edge by a narrow backswamp (source of water underground seeps as well as runoff) and beyond that a steep slope rising to a field and lawn above. Community lies on a low terrace about 4' above the level of the river. There is no evidence of flooding, recent disturbance or erosion. Invasive species are present but minimal except around the edges (streamedge, base of slope, slope). Soils are loamy sand over sand, ranging from dark brown to dark yellow. Floodplain is cut by several shallow (dry) channels. Exposed rocks become more evident heading W (away from river).
