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
Lat/long is taken from within plot but corner/center is not identified. Plot is 20x20m.
Environment Fields:
Elevation
24.4
m
Slope Aspect
112.5
º
Slope Gradient
0
º
Topographic Position
Low level
Landscape Narrative
General Landscape Description: Floodplain forest community located to the W of the North Branch of the Raritan R. On the E is a rocky bar that extends out into the river. On the NW are mesic woods which end abruptly at River Rd. These communities are part of River Road Park, Bedminster Twp.;
Soils: Shallow roots, no mottles.;
Soil Texture: Organic - peat; Mineral - sandy loam, silt loam
Physiographic Province: Piedmont.
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
Growthform1 Type
Trees
Growthform2 Type
Herbs
Growthform3 Type
Trees
Growthform1 Cover
70
%
Growthform2 Cover
92
%
Growthform3 Cover
40
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Community Type: non-tidal floodplain forest
Community Description: Diverse floodplain located between the N Branch of the Raritan R to the S and SW, and mesic woods to the W and NW. Floodplain has a large number of tree species (some very old). Codominance is shared by Acer saccharum, Platanus occidentalis, and Acer negundo near the shore. Further back dominant species are Carya ovata, Fraxinus americana with Juglans nigra. Shrub layer and forb layer are dominated by invasive species (especially Microstegium vimineum and Berberis thunbergii) but despite this there is remarkable diversity among the forbs. Floodplain has a gravelly-rocky bar at its E edge that extends out into the river. Community has a dip and swale topography, esp. toward the upper limit where it grades into mesic woods. Judging from the number of escaped landscape shrubs, at one time there was probably a house or two on the property. Evidence of flooding extends well back (~700') from the river. Soil is dark brown silt loam (with a little sand) 7.5 YR 4/3 to 101 cm. Texture is uniform throughout. pH is high - 6.5 to 101 cm.
Evidence of Community Processes: salt deposits, occasional deposits of gravel/rocks, piles of flood debris (wood, leaves, etc.).
General Comments: Despite invasives, several NJNHP species have been located.
Community Description: Diverse floodplain forest on the N side of the North Branch of the Raritan R. Near the river, dominant trees are Platanus occidentalis, Acer saccharum, Acer negundo, Fraxinus americana and Carya cordiformis. Further removed, the trees are mixed, with greater numbers of especially Carya ovata and Juglans nigra. Shrub layer is scanty, herbaceous layer is dominated by Microstegium vimineum, but there is still quite a bit of diversity. Several threatened species were located. Many trees have been broken by heavy vines, in the canopy - notably Vitis riparia. Piles of flood debris and silt are found well inland. Little disturbance except for a footpath along the river edge. Soil is dark brown silt loam with a little sand, uniform to a depth of 1 meter. pH is quite high - 6.5.
Note: Most trees are difficult to impossible to identify because of Vitis dominating the strata.
Other associated species present but not in plot: Carex bebii (S2), Carex frankii (S3), Mimulus alatus (S3).
silt sand loam, dark brown 7.5 YR 4/13 throughout, consistent texture, pH at 40 cm = 6.5, soil moisture increases very slightly with depth, rocks encountered at 101 cm (limit of auger)
Disturbance Data:
Disturbance Type
Disturbance Intensity
Disturbance Comment
Other disturbances
High
invasive species - grape vines are pulling some trees down
