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
1
m
Field Cover
80
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot captures a narrow stand of low marsh dominated by Acorus calamus along the mouth of an unnamed creek, between the bend in the creek and the main channel of the Pamunkey River. The plot location was chosen because of the unusual combination of high cover of Acorus and of Impatiens capensis. Vegetation stature is notably low. Species richness is higher than expected based on initial examination of the vegetation. As is typical of Acorus patches this late in the growing season, many culms are senescent or dead and heavily matted down. Tidal swamp forest with a fringe of Alnus serrulata borders this creek marsh on both sides. Upstream there appears to be a rather extensive dominance patch of Zizaniopsis miliacea. A few very small clumps of Zizaniopsis are present within the plot. A small but very steep and deep gut cuts into one side of the plot, and a larger side channel beyond the plot extends to the river's edge.
