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
90
%
Shrub Cover
15
%
Field Cover
70
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
This plot documents part of an old age bottomland hardwood forest stand with a number of impressive trees in the 80-120 cm. dbh range. It should be noted that Quercus phellos is absent from this plot, but an important canopy tree in the stand as a whole. Although located near the upstream limits of the Kerr Reservoir and located within the natural floodplain of the Dan River, the site is subject to periodic inundation by filling of the reservoir. This has altered the natural hydrologic cycle and apparently limited the density and diversity of tree reproduction, shrub and herbaceous growth. The long term viability of this forest is consequently considered marginal.
Plot location: Dan River Floodplain 1.2 miles SSE of Wolf Trap; plot is located ca. 0.25 miles E of the large ditch near the letter "K" in "KEER" on the 1980 quad map, and 0.25 miles N of the Dam River.
