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:
Shrub Cover
10
%
Field Cover
60
%
Nonvascular Cover
40
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Seepage swale between the south end of Wallops Island NASA main base airfield and Rt. 175. This plot is located in a stream-head swale which drains an open field at the south end of the airfield. Habitat conditions here are greatly influenced by groundwater seepage through sandy, nutrient-poor soils. The bog-like vegetation represented in the plot is very characteristic of several areas in the swale with abundant lateral seepage and wet, peaty substrates. Stand physiognomy varies from entirely herbaceous to scrub. Magnolia virginiana, Eleocharis tortilis, Dichanthelium dichotomum var. ensifolium, Rhynchospora cephalantha var. microcephala, R. gracilenta, and Fuirena squarrosa are diagnostic. In this plot Lycopodiella appressa is locally abundant, and two Utricularia spp. inhabit small seepage pools. This was once a frequent, fire-maintained community type in the coastal plain of Virginia, but its occurrences are now almost entirely limited to artificially maintained habitats (mowed fields, powerlines, etc.) because of widespread fire suppression.
