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
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:
Field Height
1
m
Tree Cover
90
%
Shrub Cover
15
%
Field Cover
90
%
Nonvascular Cover
30
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
One of the only braided, seepage influenced habitats observed in Ramseys Draft Research Natural Area, supporting a rather distinctive community for the area. Tsuga canadensis and Betula alleghaniensis are the dominant trees, and in the relatively diverse herb layer several nutrient-demanding species are present, such as Cimicifuga racemosa, Solidago curtisii and Carex scabrata. Although only one eutrophic indicator species (Carex scabrata) is present, the diversity and lushness of vegetation is obviously related to nutrient enhancement by overland flow deposits. This entire seepage zone is periodically flooded.
Plot located at head of Ramseys Draft Right Prong, in braided seepage area ca. 150 m downstream from Miner Spring.