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
36
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
1
m
Tree Cover
90
%
Shrub Cover
30
%
Field Cover
90
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
This plot is representative of one of the oldest and least weedy floodplain forests observed along the New River in the middle stretch of the New River Trail State Park (see also plot NTSP008). It is particularly noteworthy for containing several large clones of Matteuccia struthiopteris var. pensylvanica (ostrich fern), a rare fern that is not known elsewhere along the New River drainage in Virginia. The overstory of the stand is dominated by tall, medium-diameter Platanus occidentalis, with Acer negundo forming a nearly continuous understory. In addition to Matteuccia, the herb layer is patch-dominated by Hydrophyllum canadense, Impatiens pallida, Galium aparine, and Packera aurea. Most of the narrow floodplains along this river were destroyed or altered by the construction of railroads, or were cleared and used for agriculture and livestock grazing. This site may represent a small patch that was subject to less disturbance than usual.
