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
Shrub Cover
15
%
Field Cover
70
%
Nonvascular Cover
1
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
This wetland is situated in a headwaters position in a broad valley, high on the Blue Ridge Mountains. The plot region evidently receives both seepage and runoff. Soils seem to be perennially saturated and the wetland is classified as such in the National Wetland Inventory (PSSIB). Nutrient status is somewhat enhanced by runoff. One need is to determine whether hydrologic disturbances have taken place and whether the water table is now lower than during presettlement times. Also, the persistent gray birch may indicate a history of past fires here. Present levels of deer grazing seem excessive and studies of their impact on rare plants should be initiated.
Plot location: plot in middle of the herbaceous opening - small creek flows lengthwise through the plot.
