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
1000
m²
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Tree Cover
90
%
Shrub Cover
15
%
Field Cover
15
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
This plot documents a very impressive, mature stand of bottomland hardwoods on an extensive Triassic bottomland along the Banister River. Canopy trees >80 cm. Dbh are common here, and several individuals measuring >140 cm. were recorded. The stand occurs in a band of about 50 m. on either side of an old ditch and has evidently remained continuously forested while adjacent portions of this bottom were cleared and used for agriculture. At least in aggregate, these are the largest trees seen anywhere on the Kerr Reservoir property during a two year DNH inventory project. While tree growth is spectacular, community condition is only fair due to alteration of natural hydrology induced by periodic flooding of the reservoir. It appears that extended floodplain during the winter and spring months has severely curtailed tree reproduction (except Ulmus alata), shrub and herb diversity as well as species richness in general. The long term viability of this occurrence is consequently uncertain.
A= heavy, reddish brown clay loam (loamy clay? Very sticky/plastic when wet, hard and drying to polygonal blocks when exsiccated). Probably with hardpan subsoil.
Disturbance Data:
Disturbance Type
Disturbance Intensity
Disturbance Comment
unknown
Altered flooding regime from reservoir. Ditch (very old) present at west edge of plot.
