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
This 10x20m plot is comprised of two 10x10m plots (B1 and B2). Latitude and longitude are taken from the SW corner of the plot.
Environment Fields:
Elevation
0
m
Elevation Range
3
m
Slope Aspect
(n/a, flat)
º
Slope Gradient
0
º
Topographic Position
Low level
Landscape Narrative
Soil Description: Muck and clay over muck and sandy clay. Water table is at the surface.
Average Soil Texture: organic - muck; Horizon Type: Mor; mineral soil is found throughout the profile mixed with muck to at least 35 cm
Local Topography: hummocky
Physiographic Province: Outer Coastal Plain
Watershed: Barnegat Bay
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
Shrubs
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Community Description: Hummocky terrain with broad, low hummocks occupied by well-grown trees. Other smaller hummocks (created by tussock-forming sedges) are present where trees have died and fallen. Many of the clump-forming sedges are quite large and have been here a while. There are a few muddy patches present, covered by water-stained leaves, and often Leersia oryzoides and/or Glyceria septentrionalis growing in the mud. The plot is located well beyond the ecotone and is quite wet. Footing is firm on hummocks and squishy and unstable otherwise. Shrub layers are poorly developed, graminoid layer is very well-developed. Zonation is evident on higher ground and hummocks. Lots of fallen trees. Most appear to be Fraxinus and are variably fresh to well-rooted. Lots of wood underfoot has been covered by vegetation and is only evident when stepped on. Several trees (mostly Fraxinus) are dead on top (salt spray?) but lower branches appear to be thriving. This forest has several drainage ditches throughout but they are old. No recent disturbance. No invasive species except for a small patch of Phragmites which may be native. Further investigation is required.
Fauna: box turtle, wood frog
10YR 2/1 mucky clay; pH at 10 cm = 5.4? (Note: soil is such dense clay that pH reagent does not fully penetrate - pH reading might not be accurate)
A
15
m
35
m
10YR 2/1 sandy mucky clay; pH at 25 cm = 5.4? (Note: soil is such dense clay that pH reagent does not fully penetrate - pH reading might not be accurate)
