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:
Tree Cover
50
%
Shrub Cover
50
%
Field Cover
90
%
Nonvascular Cover
30
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Braided spring seep on western side of main stream formed by coalescence of spring complex, 0.45 mi NW of Van Buren Furnace ruins, near end of Rt. 713. The plot is situated in the least disturbed portion of a large, forested spring/seepage complex at the foot of a mountainside. At least 6 strong springs and several lesser ones issue a remarkable volume of groundwater along narrow, muck and gravel bottomed rills and channels, forming the headwaters of an attractive small stream. The site is located in a geologically complex area of interbedded shale, sandstone and limestone. While uplands surrounding the springs are clothed in acidic oak-pine forest, wetland vegetation of the seepages (e.g. Fraxinus nigra, Caltha palustris, Carex bromoides, etc.) reflects basic of calcareous substrate conditions. The site has a history of human use, serving as the center of an informal spa development with cabins in the early to mid-1800's. One of the springs has been used as water supply in the past. However, except for an unfortunate abundance of the exotic water-cress (Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum), there are few current signs of disturbance.