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:
Field Height
6
m
Field Cover
80
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot established in pond 5 at Deep Run Ponds NAP. Vegetation at present is overwhelmingly dominated by Panicum rigidulum, but pond formerly held water for much of the growing season and supported more hydrophytic species, including Eleocharis acicularis and Proserpinaca palustris. Plot includes the deepest part of the pond, where Panicum is less dense and low Agrostis common. An old road or ATV trail passes through this portion of the pond. At the time of sampling, Panicum is far from senescent. Woody seedlings suggest that a chronic shortening of the hydroperiod or lowering of the water table may be at least as great a cause of the extremely dry conditions as the current drought. PVC stake for measuring water levels was planted within the plot.
0 - 1 - Panicum litter (where present; otherwise very thin layer of sandy silt)
1 - somewhat moist clay, very dense, with mottling below 10 cm; no evidence of water table at time of sampling, but penetration possible only to ca. 50 cm
Disturbance Data:
Disturbance Type
Disturbance Intensity
Disturbance Comment
unknown
It is unclear whether extremely dry conditions during year of sampling are the result of short-term drought or chronic depletion of the water table.
