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
Shrub
Growthform1 Type
Shrubs
Growthform2 Type
Herbs
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: Plot is located at the lower edge (nearest the tidal marsh). Soil is deep muck over sand. This section appears to be gradually becoming a leatherleaf bog. Stands of leatherleaf are divided by deer trails. In openings, a nice variety of graminoids and forbs occur, growing mostly in Sphagnum over muck. Freshwater seepage comes from nearby stream and adjacent uplands. Occasional tidal overwash also occurs. Disturbance - deer browse and deer trails.
