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
400
m²
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Tree Height
37
m
Shrub Height
5
m
Field Height
2
m
Tree Cover
85
%
Shrub Cover
2
%
Field Cover
40
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Location: on bank of the Potomac River ca. 250 m west of the mouth of Bullneck Run.
The plot captures a long, narrow riverbank zone that is scoured by brief but powerful flooding annually or more often. The habitat has a short (~ 8 m), moderately steep (12 deg) slope from the river's edge to a sub-level, lower floodplain terrace. Open forest vegetation is characterized by large (up to 166 cm DBH) Acer saccharinum and Platanus occidentalis overstory trees, sparse understory of Acer negundo, very sparse shrub layer, and an open herb layer of flood-tolerant forbs. This vegetation contrasts sharply with the forest of the higher, better-drained, and less often flooded upper floodplain terrace at this site, which supports a dense Asimina triloba shrub layer and a lush herb layer dominated by Mertensia virginica.