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 intersection of Cumberland Road (CR 646) and the railroad tracks, walk NW along the tracks, cross river, and enter woods to the S along the marked trail. Where the trail crosses a wet area (5 m boardwalk) the site is to the SE.
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
Nonvascular
Growthform1 Type
Moss
Growthform2 Type
Herbs
Growthform3 Type
Shrubs
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Community Type: tidal freshwater marsh
General Vegetation/Habitat Description: Fen sandwiched between upland pine-oak forest and freshwater tidal marsh. This area will probably become a leatherleaf bog with time. At this time it is dominated by patchy Chamaedaphne calyculata and browsed, low white cedars on small hummocks. Sphagnum covers much of the remaining open space. Small deer paths wind between the hummocks. Otherwise, in the openings, the fen has a good variety of hydric species in low densities. Graminoids co-dominate the spots not covered with woodies. Phragmites stems are here and there. Soil is a thin layer of partially decomposed Sphagnum over sand.
Community Description: Upper edge of poor fen. Somewhat shrubby in patches with a good mix of forbs and Sphagnum underneath. Leatherleaf and deer-browsed small white cedars are the most abundant shrubs. Graminoids comprise a substantial portion of the remaining area. Soil is thin peat over sand. Flooding occurs at very high tides. Otherwise, groundwater and seepage from a small stream appear to be the sources of water. The only disturbance is a small catwalk spanning the wet area and evidence of browsing.
