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
400
m²
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Tree Height
22
m
Shrub Height
3
m
Field Height
1
m
Tree Cover
50
%
Shrub Cover
10
%
Field Cover
10
%
Nonvascular Cover
15
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Pond 1 at Deep Run Ponds NAP is spatially and hydrologically connected to narrow (< 20 m wide), seasonally flooded stand of Quercus palustris. Upon investigation it appears that vegetation is transitional between more open Quercus / Eleocharis acicularis community of the pond proper and adjacent acidic seepage swamp dominated by Acer rubrum, Nyssa sylvatica, and Osmunda spp. Although compositional overlap is substantial, this stand lacks Osmunda and upland elements such as Quercus alba. Plot begins < 1 m from outermost contiguous extent of Eleocharis; community extends 10-15 m beyond far end of plot, but narrows and angles away from centerline bearing toward the northwest. For trees not on hummocks, high water mark was ca. 25 cm above ground surface at time of sampling. Tally of Smilax stems may be inaccurate and should be interpreted cautiously.
Plot marked with 3/4" PVC stakes.
0 - 3 - leaf litter
3 - 5 - O horizon: primarily duff
5 - 32 - dark gray, gleyed, silty clay, with abundant organic matter
~30 - water table
32 - soil becomes nearly pure clay, with lenses of oxidized material throughout; admixtures of coarser material near 1 m
