Releve 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
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Shrub Cover
1
%
Field Cover
90
%
Nonvascular Cover
8
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot located in the most open and least overgrown portion of the wet meadow with distinct prairie affinities. The presence of many rare and localized, light-demanding plant species here is indicative of rare and a localized community type that must have remained open over a long period of time. Relatively recent anthropologic disturbances such as ditching, along with the absence of natural disturbance regimes such as fire and grazing, has led to a gradual encroachment of woody scrub in recent years. It is unclear whether this wetland should be classified as saturated of seasonally flooded. Although no seepage is present, groundwater is perched at or near the ground surface during the spring and areas of shallow inundation are present during this time.
South River Preserve, 0.2 mi west of Alcoa facility and 0.6 mi ESE of the Norfolk and Western Railroad bridge over South River. Plot located on south side of ditch in open part of the preserve. Corners marked with white PVC pipes; northwest corner is 4.3 m @ 67 degrees from 4-cm dbh, 5-m tall Acer rubrum.
