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
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Field Height
5
m
Field Cover
75
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
A tidal channel on the downstream side of the boardwalk forces sampling on the upstream side at the outer end of transect #3. The low intertidal / subtidal zone here is narrow and interrupted by the channel, and since the interior portion of the marsh does not exhibit any pronounced zonation in the vegetation, only two plots were deemed necessary at this transect. Plot data do not adequately reflect the greater abundance of Spartina cynosuroides at the riverward end of the transect. The cover of Hibiscus moscheutos is highest along a fringe of Alnus serrulata, which forms bands parallel to and ca. 50 m from the transect on either side. Hibiscus cover does not vary with distance from the river. Substantial senescence has already occurred in many species, and consequently completeness of species list and accurate estimation of cover are suspect. Some disturbance has occurred in the plot; one large tree bole, a couple of 2x6's (boardwalk parts?) and a plastic bottle are all present.
