Intensive Virginia Division of Natural Heritage, see http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural_heritage/documents/nh_plotform_instructions.pdf
Overall Taxon Cover Values are Automatically Calculated?
no
Stem Observation Area
1000
m²
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Tree Height
25
m
Tree Cover
70
%
Shrub Cover
5
%
Field Cover
5
%
Nonvascular Cover
1
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Stand of hydrophytic oaks and Acer rubrum in subtle, poorly drained depression on alluvial terrace ca. 400 m from Nottoway River. Hydrology is uncertain and is confounded by standing water following heavy rain, but is assumed to be seasonally flooded; return visit later in the growing season is needed to confirm this. Hummock-and-hollow topography prevails, and hummocks support several species (Vaccinium elliottii, Mitchella repens, Lobelia) not present elsewhere in stand. Otherwise ground cover is sparse except for scattered small clumps of carices. Nyssa sylvatica and N. biflora distinguished primarily on the basis of bole shape at base; the former appears more abundant despite the hydrology. Resurvey needed to complete inventory of herbaceous species.
Plot resampled on 27 May 2004 and full compositional data collected. At least two overstory trees in stand were uprooted by Hurricane Isabel in September 2003, but damage to plot was minimal, consistently primarily of downed branches. New seedlings of Acer rubrum abound. Several dead culms of Arundinaria may reflect prolonged flooding in 2003.
Carex intumescens var. intumescens is the dominant sedge in the vicinity of the plot.
