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 the crossing of Willow Brook at Igoe Rd., follow stream W for ~1000'. It is easier to follow the N bank and cross the stream about 1000' in.; NOTE: On the Monmouth County Hagstrom Map, this brook is known as "Hopp Brook", which feeds into Willow Brook. Access to the site is very difficult following the S bank of the stream. Follow the N bank, proceed +/-50' past the site, and cross the stream at a series of S-curves. On the first bend, the stream is easily crossed. Much of the site species list was compiled from a walk along the N bank.
Latitude/longitude coordinates taken from approximate plot center.
Environment Fields:
Elevation
27.4
m
Slope Aspect
0
º
Slope Gradient
0
º
Topographic Position
Low level
Landscape Narrative
General Landscape Description: Narrow band of floodplain forest between steep slope (+/- 60 degrees) to the S and Willow Brook to the N. Mesic slope has mature trees but few herbaceous species except common ferns. Floodplain is flat, ~8' above the level of the stream. Bank is deeply undercut on S side and has been carved in in a few places. Stream bed is firm and pebble-bottomed.;
Soil Texture: Mineral - silty clay loam, sandy clay
Physiographic Province: Inner Coastal Plain
Overall Taxon Cover Values are Automatically Calculated?
no
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
95
%
Growthform3 Cover
35
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Community Type: non-tidal floodplain forest
General Description: Narrow strip of floodplain forest located between Willow Run to the N and a steep (+/- 60 degrees) slope to the S. The floodplain at this point is ~8' above the level of the stream. Dominant trees are Fraxinus americana and Carya cordiformis closest to the stream, and Acer rubrum further back and adjacent to mesic woods on the slope. Soil is silty clay, grading into sandy clay with red mottles appearing at 18 cm. Mottles and matrix merge to become red-brown clay with small amounts of black sand and muck. The basse of the slope is occupied by hydric forbs, mostly Symplocarpus foetidus. No disturbance.; Community Description: Flat floodplain forest ~35 m wide, between Willow Brookto the N and mesic forest on a steep slope upward to the S. Near the stream, dominant trees are Carya cordiformis and Fraxinus americana; the southern (inland) part is mostly dominated by Acer rubrum. Two very large toppled trees from the adjacent slope have opened the canopy. The SW corner of the plot has a lush growth of Microstegium where light penetrates. The S band of the forest has a more or less hydric layer of forbs, mostly Symplocarpus, but the ground is firm. Community processes are not evident on the floodplain, but the streambanks below are severely undercut (and sometimes collapsing). Soil is silty clay with red mottles at only 18 cm. Mottling continues throughout until they blend with the matrix to make a sandy clay at 85 cm. Floodplain is ~8' above the level of the stream. No disturbance. Farm field above is a source of runoff and probably many of the invasive species that are present (especially Allaria petiolata). Evidence of Community Processes: Scouring of stream corridor, toppled trees, exposed tree roots.; General Comments: Since 1995, this area which had been mostly forest and farm fields has been heavily developed. Development is continuing. Some of the N bank of Willow Run may be developed - flagging tape markers are frequently seen.; Ebony jewelwing, Eastern wood peewee, woodthrush, chipmunk, gray squirrel, deer, Eastern-eyed click beetle, and 6-spotted green tiger beetle present.
2.5 YR 4/8 red mottles in 10 YR 4/1 dark gray matrix; pH at 30 cm = 5.9; silty clay loam; mottles increase with depth; color gradually changes as mottles and matrix blend; pH at 55 cm = 5.3; occasional roots
B
75
m
85
m
5 YR 3/3 dark red brown clay with small amounts of black sand and mica; sandy clay; occasional roots
Disturbance Data:
Disturbance Type
Disturbance Intensity
Disturbance Comment
Other disturbances
Farm field above is a source of runoff
Erosion
High
Streambanks are severely undercut (and sometimes collapsing)
