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:
Field Height
1
m
Tree Cover
50
%
Shrub Cover
70
%
Field Cover
5
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
This plot captures tidal hardwood swamp forest at the interior end of transect #1. The stature of trees is larger and the canopy more closed than forest immediately riverward, which supports a more substantial herbaceous component, including Polygonum punctatum and Arundinaria gigantea. Hummock-and-hollow microtopography characterizes much of the plot; clumps of Clethra acuminata, Alnus serrulata, Leucothoe racemosa, and other shrubs, as well as larger individuals of Fraxinus profunda and Nyssa biflora, are largely confined to hummocks. A fairly deep slough runs through the plot near one corner. Notwithstanding this slough, side drainage channels, and adjacent loosely consolidated silt banks, the substrate in the plot is much firmer than in many swamp forests. Some senescence and abscission of Nyssa leaves have already occurred. Cover of water as a component of surface substrate may be lower at low tide.
