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
200
m²
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Tree Height
25
m
Tree Cover
50
%
Shrub Cover
50
%
Field Cover
90
%
Nonvascular Cover
30
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
This headwaters swamp was devastated by a gypsy moth outbreak in the early 1990s. Hundreds of red and white oaks growing on hummocks and low rises between braided streams died, resulting in an opened canopy over large areas. Because of pervasive canopy gaps and numerous downfalls, the largest undisturbed, compositionally heterogeneous wetland site that could be sampled was 200 sq. m.. Characteristic species of this site such as Fraxinus nigra, Caltha palustris, and Carex bromoides are clearly responsive to soils with relatively high Ca and Mg.
Plot location: vicinity of Bearwallow at headwaters of Overall Run, ca. 1.0 mi. NW of Hogback Mtn. summit.