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 Height
10
m
Shrub Height
3
m
Field Height
1
m
Tree Cover
12
%
Shrub Cover
20
%
Field Cover
90
%
Nonvascular Cover
90
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
The habitat lies on deep peat that has built up in the area of seepage inputs along the edge of a small mountain stream valley. The peat accumulation is very deep and centered on several seepage swales that feed into the small floodplain; thus, the wet peatland habitat lies a meter or two above the level of the stream valley. Vegetation is a rare and unusual open woodland bog dominated by Pinus rigida, with a mosaic of shrub patches and herbaceous vegetation beneath. Herbaceous species such as Osmunda cinnamomea, Eriophorum virginicum, and Carex spp. are rooted in deep Sphagnum, while Drosera rotundifolia is abundant in areas of exposed, fibric peat around seepage rills.
Profile #1:
0-12 cm - Sphagnum
12+ cm - peat and roots
Profile #2:
0-4 cm - Sphagnum
4-10 cm - peat and roots
10+ cm - orange-mottled clay loam
Disturbance Data:
Disturbance Type
Disturbance Intensity
Disturbance Comment
unknown
Formerly impacted by beavers. Possibly grazed by livestock in past. A couple of old vehicle ruts present. Heavy current grazing on Osmunda cinnamomea by white-tailed deer. Evidence of past fire on adjacent uplands.