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
32
m
Shrub Height
5
m
Field Height
8
m
Tree Cover
20
%
Shrub Cover
30
%
Field Cover
40
%
Nonvascular Cover
1
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
This is an unusual, relatively deep, seasonally flooded depression in upland white oak "flatwoods." Based on casual observations over the years, the depression usually holds water for much of the summer, and is deeply flooded for a good part of the year. The deep, central part of the depression lacks trees and contains a stand of Cephalanthus occidentalis and a large clone of an unusual sedge that has been tentatively identified as Carex lupulina var. pedunculata (T. Wieboldt, pers. comm.). This part of the habitat was completely drawn down (but still damp at the surface) at time of sampling, and supported additional ephemeral annuals such as Fimbristylis autumnalis and Bidens frondosa. Tree-base hummocks on the less deeply flooded margins support Carex albolutescens and C. festucacea. Trees in this depression suffered extensive crown damage during hurricane Isabel (2003), resulting in extremely open canopy conditions. Past attempts to ditch and drain this habitat apparently failed.
