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:
Tree Cover
70
%
Shrub Cover
8
%
Field Cover
50
%
Nonvascular Cover
35
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
A long, narrow plot configuration was necessary to maintain vegetational homogeneity along this boggy, high elevation stream bottom. Even so, some microtopographic heterogeneity is unavoidable because of a braided, hummocky stream channel and the presence of two stream terrace levels. This community can be generally characterized as Picea rubens-Betula allegheniensis forest with a prevalence of wetland graminoids - e.g., Glyceria melicaria, Carex spp., Cinna latifolia.
Plot located at headwaters of Buck Run, 0.3 mi southeast of Locust Spring Picnic Area.
Soils somewhat heterogeneous in plot. A horizon along central drainageway = grayish orange mottled silt; A horizon of higher terrace and hummocks = gray to yellow brown silt sandy loam with many rocks and local mottling.