Biology - Biological Informatics Program - Vegetation Characterization Program
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USGS:Biology
Biological Informatics Program
Vegetation Characterization Program
Valley Forge National Historical Park
Physical Descriptive Data for Plots
Physical Descriptive Data for Plots(FGDC-compliant metadata for these data are in preparation.)
These data were collected by the Pennsylvania Science Office of The Nature Conservancy. They include descriptive
information for each vegetation plot, UTM coordinates, Other Data for Plots include Species Listing Data.
PLOT_ SUB_ CLASSIFIED_COMM_NAME LOCATION QUAD_NAME QUAD_CODE COORD GPS_TECH FIELD FIELD UTM SURVEY SURVEYORS PLOT_DIRECTIONS X_DIM Y_DIM PLOT PHOTOS PERM REPRESENTATIVE ELEV ELEV SLOPE ASPECT TOPO_POS SURF_GEOL ENVIRONMENTAL_COMMENTS SOIL_DEP SOIL_DEP BR LR SR S L WO WA BS O LEAF_PHENO LEAF_TYPE PHYSIOG_CLASS T1_HGT T1_COVER T2_HGT T2_COVER T3_HGT T3_COVER S1_HGT S1_COVER S2_HGT S2_COVER H_HGT H_COVER N_HGT N_COVER V_HGT V_COVER UPDATE USER SPECIES CODE PLOT SYS UTM_X UTM_Y ZONE DATE SHAPE UNITS UNITS COUNT VAFO.1 No Modified Successional Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 2 463961 4439741 18 5/8/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Typical of this portion of polygon. 0 1 Flat Flat (n/a) Low level Alluvium/fill Area appears very disturbed, dominated by exotics. A few large sycamores occur in the plot along the levee. Ailanthus and Paulownia stands occur next to the railroad. 1 0 0 0 0 15 5 0 50 0 Cold-deciduous Broad-leaved Forest 0 15 - 25 m 60 5 - 15 m 40 2 - 5 m 20 <2 m 10 0 - 1 m 100 0 0 - 20 m 5 2/23/2004 sjp 28 VAFO.2 No Modified Successional Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 2 CMT Unit 463270 4439779 18 5/8/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot typical of polygon; polygon adjacent to north appears drier. 0 1 Flat Flat (n/a) Low level Alluvium/Fill/Coal Silt Area appears to be wet in spring; poorly drained; eight deer observed within ten meters of the plot; strong browse line evident. 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 40 0 Cold-deciduous Broad-leaved Forest 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2/23/2004 sjp 28 VAFO.3 No Modified Successional Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 2 463388 4439882 18 5/8/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot typical of community; Celastrus vines (1 or more) on nearly every tree, very open below canopy; clear browse line; ground cover nearly all exotics. 0 1 Gentle W Low level Alluvium/Fill/Coal Silt Area appears to have been disturbed 20-40 years ago, only small diameter coarse woody debris, area very weedy. 0 1 0 0 0 0 40 0 0 0 0 Cold-deciduous Broad-leaved Forest 0 20 - 25 m 70 15 - 20 m 20 3 - 5 m 10 <3 m 5 <1 m 80 0 0 - 25 m 50 2/23/2004 sjp 27 VAFO.4 No Liriodendron tulipifera - Acer rubrum - Quercus spp. Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 2 461244 4437784 18 6/4/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot typical of old view lane, plot bordered on north and south sides by trails. 0 1 Somewhat steep W High slope Metamorphic: Quartzite Polygon may be former View Lane from old tower at top of Mt. Joy. 0 1 0 1 0 0 90 4 0 5 0 Cold-deciduous Broad-leaved Forest 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 <0.5 m 5 2/23/2004 sjp 15 VAFO.5 No Quercus prinus - Quercus (rubra, velutina) / Gaylussacia baccata Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 2 461208 4437964 18 6/4/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot typical of polygon on west slope of Mt. Joy. 0 1 Somewhat steep W High slope Metamorphic: Quartzite Maturing oak forest, no signs of recent disturbance other than foot trails. 0 1 0 5 20 0 40 5 0 20 0 Cold-deciduous Broad-leaved Forest 0 0 0 0 0 0 <0.5 m 5 <0.5 m 5 2/23/2004 sjp 17 VAFO.6 No Liriodendron tulipifera - Acer rubrum - Quercus spp. Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 2 cmt 461468 4437914 18 6/4/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot typical for polygon; note that 5-6 large Liriodendron (50-65 cm dbh) lie just outside of plot on all sides. 0 1 Moderate SE Midslope Metamorphic: Quartzite South-southeast slope of Mount Joy. Typical of polygon with large Liriodendron, subcanopy of sparse to moderate cover, herb layer almost entirely Microstegium and Alliaria. 0 1 0 0 0 0 10 5 0 0 0 Cold-deciduous Broad-leaved Forest 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2/23/2004 sjp 24 VAFO.7 No Liriodendron tulipifera - Acer rubrum - Quercus spp. Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 2 461318 4437693 18 6/4/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot typical of this small polygon. 0 1 Somewhat steep SE Midslope Metamorphic: Quartzite Vegetation appears more recently disturbed, possibly due to roads bounding polygon on 3 sides. Overstory similar to stand to the northwest, but with much denser shrub layer. 0 1 0 5 1 0 35 0 0 0 0 Cold-deciduous Broad-leaved Forest 0 30 - 40 m 70 10 - 25 m 20 3 - 7 m 40 <0.5 m 5 <0.5 m 60 0 0 - 10 m 5 2/23/2004 sjp 23 VAFO.8 No Quercus (alba, rubra, velutina) / Cornus florida / Viburnum acerifolium Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 2 461155 4437641 18 6/4/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot typical of polygon. Less steep areas have larger trees; other areas have small rock slides / boulder fields. 0 1 Steep E Midslope Metamorphic: Quartzite Some signs of recent disturbance, very steep slope likely experiences occassional rock slides. A number of dead and downed oak logs suggest disease / insect mortality. Several deer trails through plot, parallel to slope. 0 1 0 5 3 0 60 0 0 30 0 Cold-deciduous Broad-leaved Forest 20 m 5 15 m 80 5 m 30 3 m 30 <0.5 m 5 <0.5 m 5 0 <0.5 m 5 2/23/2004 sjp 34 VAFO.9 No Quercus prinus - Quercus (rubra, velutina) / Gaylussacia baccata Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 2 461443 4438144 18 6/5/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot typical of polygon. 0 1 Moderate N Midslope Metamorphic: Quartzite Plot does not appear to be recently disturbed; many downed logs (20-30 years old?). 10-30 cm dbh suggest past mortality due to disease / insect outbreak. 0 1 0 0 0 0 90 5 0 3 0 Cold-deciduous Broad-leaved Forest 0 25 - 30 m 60 15 - 25 m 50 3 - 5 m 30 <0.5 m 5 <0.5 m 5 <0.1 m 5 <1 m 5 2/23/2004 sjp 18 VAFO.10 No Liriodendron tulipifera - Acer rubrum - Quercus spp. Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 2 461000 4438000 18 6/5/2000 Greg Podniesinski The X, Y coordinates for this plot have been altered to protect a rare plant species that could be vulnerable to collection. 20 20 Square No No Plot typical of polygon and similar to other Liriodendron-type polygons elsewhere in park. 0 1 Moderate SE Lowslope Metamorphic: Quartzite Understory very open under very tall Liriodendron canopy. No signs of recent disturbance, other than heavy deer browse. 0 1 0 0 0 0 20 2 0 0 0 Cold-deciduous Broad-leaved Forest 0 30 - 40 m 80 15 - 25 m 10 3 - 10 m 40 <0.5 m 5 <0.5 m 80 0 <0.5 m 5 2/23/2004 sjp 28 VAFO.11 No Quercus (alba, rubra, velutina) / Cornus florida / Viburnum acerifolium Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 2 461246 4438444 18 6/5/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot typical for polygon, more open gaps have patches of Microstegium. 0 1 Moderate SW Midslope Metamorphic: Quartzite Polygon appears to have been opened by some disturbance (downed logs common, 20-30 year old trees). Scattered large trees (mostly oaks) and numerous pole-sized trees filling gaps. 0 1 0 2 2 0 85 5 0 5 0 Cold-deciduous Broad-leaved Forest 25 - 30 m 50 15 - 20 m 30 10 - 15 m 40 1 - 3 m 5 <0.5 m 5 0 <0.1 m 5 0 - 25 m 5 2/23/2004 sjp 22 VAFO.12 No Quercus (alba, rubra, velutina) / Cornus florida / Viburnum acerifolium Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 2 461045 4438473 18 6/5/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot is typical for polygon on steep slopes. 0 1 Steep SW Midslope Metamorphic: Quartzite Some old downed logs, possibly from disease or insects, were present. No signs of recent disturbance were found. 0 1 0 40 20 0 35 4 0 0 0 Cold-deciduous Broad-leaved Forest 0 20 m 70 15 m 40 3-5 m 20 <0.5 m 5 <0.5 m 5 0 0-20 m 10 2/23/2004 sjp 29 VAFO.13 No Liriodendron tulipifera - Acer rubrum - Quercus spp. Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 2 460983 4438792 18 6/5/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot is similar to rest of polygon and other Liriodendron forest on Mount Joy. 0 1 Moderate N High slope Metamorphic: Quartzite No signs of recent disturbance seen other than intense deer browsing. 0 1 0 0 0 0 10 1 0 0 0 Cold-deciduous Broad-leaved Forest 0 40 m 80 25 m 5 3-5 m 20 <0.5 m 5 <0.5 m 90 0 0-20 m 5 2/23/2004 sjp 23 VAFO.14 No Modified Successional Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 1 461169 4438879 18 6/5/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot is typical of polygon with herbaceous gaps (Microstegium & Alliaria). 0 1 Moderate SE Lowslope Metamorphic: Quartzite Polygon is an early successional stand including Acer rubrum, Juglans nigra, Fraxinus americana, etc. that has become overrun by Vitis and Celastrus. 0 1 0 0 1 0 10 0 0 3 0 Cold-deciduous Broad-leaved Forest 5 15 - 20 m 20 5 - 10 m 50 1 - 3 m 5 0.5 - 1 m 5 <0.5 m 60 0 0-15 m 60 2/23/2004 sjp 41 VAFO.15 No Liriodendron tulipifera - Acer rubrum - Quercus spp. Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 1 460943 4437464 18 7/10/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot is typical of the polygon. 0 1 Moderate S Lowslope Metamorphic: Quartzite Area appears to be a successional old field (20-30 yrs old) with and open grassy (silt grass) herbaceous layer. 0 1 0 0 0 0 10 2 0 2 0 Cold-deciduous Broad-leaved forest 0 20 - 25 m 70 10 - 15 m 20 2-4 m 30 <2 5 <1 80 0 0-20 m 20 2/23/2004 sjp 32 VAFO.16 No Liriodendron tulipifera - Acer rubrum - Quercus spp. Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 2 461028 4437656 18 7/10/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot is typical of East-facing, steep slopes on Mount Misery. 0 1 Somewhat steep E Midslope Metamorphic: Quartzite Plot appears to have experienced mortality of large 30-50 cm DBH trees in the last 10-20 years (Oaks), but the canopy is still mostly closed except for occassional gaps. 0 1 0 2 5 0 10 5 0 5 0 cold-deciduous Broad-leaved forest 0 35 - 45 m 90 20 - 30 m 30 2 - 5 m 20 <2 m 5 <1 m 5 5 0 - 10 m 5 2/23/2004 sjp 33 VAFO.17 No Quercus prinus - Quercus (rubra, velutina) / Gaylussacia baccata Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 2 460798 4437837 18 7/10/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot is typical of the polygon with some areas downslope containing Kalmia latifolia. Elsewhere in the polygon Acer rubrum occurs in the subcanopy. Other areas may contain Quercus alba and Liriodendron. Stand seems like a dry oak forest or a dry oak-mixed hardwood forest. 0 1 Moderate E High slope Metamorphic: Quartzite Area appears to be mid-successional with scattered larger oaks (black and chestnut oak) and a high density of sapling and pole-sized trees. Some self-thinning is beginning in the stand. 0 1 0 0 0 0 95 2 0 0 0 cold-deciduous Broad-leaved forest 30 - 35 m 50 20 m 80 10 - 20 m 30 2-7 m 10 <2 m 5 <1 m 5 <0.1 5 0 2/23/2004 sjp 20 VAFO.18 No Quercus prinus - Quercus (rubra, velutina) / Gaylussacia baccata Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 2 460733 4437576 18 7/10/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot is typical of a Kalmia dominated area. 0 1 Somewhat steep N Midslope Metamorphic: Quartzite Location of the plot is somewhat uncertain in the field. It is located on a steep slope that is typical of the surrounding area. 0 1 0 0 1 0 90 2 0 5 0 cold-deciduous broad-leaved forest 0 30 - 35 m 60 15 - 20 m 60 3 - 5 m 40 <3 m 5 <1 5 <0.5 5 0 2/23/2004 sjp 16 VAFO.19 No Quercus prinus - Quercus (rubra, velutina) / Gaylussacia baccata Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 2 460480 4437541 18 7/10/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot is typical of the polygon. Some of the areas may have more Gaylussacia/Vaccinium stamineum. 0 1 Gentle SW High level Metamorphic: Quartzite No signs of recent disturbance are present. Stand appears to be 50-70 years old (larger trees) with much younger red maple and Nyssa in the subcanopy. 0 1 0 0 1 0 90 2 0 1 0 cold-deciduous broad-leaved Forest 0 30 - 35 m 70 15 - 20 m 40 3-10 m 30 <3 m 5 <3 m 5 0 0 2/23/2004 sjp 21 VAFO.20 No Liriodendron tulipifera - Acer rubrum - Quercus spp. Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 2 460885 4437811 18 7/17/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot is typical of this polygon. Emergent trees are Quercus prinus, Quercus alba, and Liriodendron. Kalmia latifolia cover varies between 0 to approximately 50%. 0 1 Moderate E High slope Metamorphic: Quartzite Area appears to be a 15-25 year old successional stand with some older emergent trees. Area appears to have been opened up by mortality of many canopy trees (insects/disease). 0 1 0 0 1 1 90 4 0 0 0 cold-deciduous broad-leaved forest 30-35 m 30 15 - 20 m 80 10 - 15 m 30 1 - 5 m 20 <1 m 5 <1 m 5 0 <1 m 5 2/23/2004 sjp 22 VAFO.21 No Quercus (alba, rubra, velutina) / Cornus florida / Viburnum acerifolium Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 2 461003 4437798 18 7/17/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot is typical of this stand. 0 1 Steep E Midslope Metamorphic: Quartzite Area is a mature dry oak-mixed hardwood forest on a steep slope with much lower density of young trees than in the stand upslope. Some evidence of large tree mortality is present. However, this mortality is perhaps less intense than in the stand upslope. 0 1 0 40 20 0 30 5 0 0 0 cold-deciduous broad-leaved forest 0 30 m 70 15 - 20 m 40 1 - 5 m 10 <1 m 5 <1 m 20 0 <1 m 5 2/23/2004 sjp 32 VAFO.22 No Quercus prinus - Betula lenta / Parthenocissus quinquefolia Talus Woodland VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 2 460994 4438010 18 7/17/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot typical of wooded portion of scree slope. 0 1 Steep E High slope Metamorphic: Quartzite Forest adjacent open scree slope, substrate very unstable; plot boundaries estimated. Open scree slope mostly unvegetated (not sampled for safety reasons), dominant vegetation in non-wooded area Microstegium and Dryopteris marginalis. 0 1 0 60 20 0 15 3 0 0 0 Cold-deciduous Broad-leaved Forest 25 m 10 10 m 60 0 1 - 5 m 30 <1 m 5 <1 m 5 <1 m 5 0 2/24/2004 sjp 19 VAFO.23 No Quercus prinus - Quercus (rubra, velutina) / Gaylussacia baccata Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 2 460962 4437938 18 7/17/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot typical of stand, similar to oak - Nyssa forest to the southwest, with many pole-sized trees and occassional large trees. 0 1 Somewhat steep NE Midslope Metamorphic: Quartzite Plot dominated by younger successional growth; many 30-40 cm dbh logs on ground; mortality event 20-30 years ago? 0 1 0 20 10 0 60 5 0 0 0 Cold-deciduous Broad-leaved Forest 0 20 m 70 15 m 20 1 - 5 m 20 <1 m 5 <1 m 5 <1 m 5 0 2/23/2004 sjp 22 VAFO.24 No Quercus prinus - Quercus (rubra, velutina) / Gaylussacia baccata Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 2 460921 4438028 18 7/17/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot typical of ridge, Kalmia abundance is variable, also better representation of rocky ridge community at Plot 22 (limited to shrubby edge). 0 1 Steep S High slope Metamorphic: Quartzite Very steep slope, substrate is mostly scree and thin soil, very rocky. 0 1 0 40 30 0 0 0 0 0 0 Cold-deciduous Broad-leaved Forest 0 25 m 60 15 m 50 1 - 5 m 40 <1 m 5 <1 m 5 <1 m 5 0 2/23/2004 sjp 22 VAFO.25 No Quercus prinus - Quercus (rubra, velutina) / Gaylussacia baccata Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 2 460808 4438012 18 7/17/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot typical of polygon, density of pole-sized trees is variable. Large patch of Gaylussacia baccata just outside of plot and scattered trees elsewhere in polygon. 0 1 Moderate E High slope Metamorphic: Quartzite Plot has several large trees in emergent canopy (30-60 cm dbh). Majority of trees are pole-sized, 4-10 cm dbh. Numerous 25-40 cm dbh logs suggest stand mortality 10-20 years ago. 0 1 0 30 30 0 35 5 0 0 0 Cold-deciduous Broad-leaved Forest 30 - 35 m 30 20 m 70 8 - 15 m 40 1 - 5 m 30 <1 m 5 <1 m 5 <1 m 5 1 - 15 m 5 2/23/2004 sjp 31 VAFO.26 No Liriodendron tulipifera - Acer rubrum - Quercus spp. Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 2 460731 4438099 18 7/22/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot typical of polygon; abundance of black oak variable, but stand dominant is clearly Liriodendron. 0 1 Moderate NE High slope Metamorphic: Quartzite Area has very open/sparse herbaceous layer; almost no shrub layer. 0 1 0 1 1 0 90 5 0 1 0 Cold-deciduous Broad-leaved Forest 0 30 m 80 8 - 20 m 10 1 - 8 m 5 <1 m 5 <1 m 5 <1 m 5 <1 m 5 2/23/2004 sjp 41 VAFO.27 No Quercus (alba, rubra, velutina) / Cornus florida / Viburnum acerifolium Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 2 460743 4438209 18 7/22/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot is typical of polygon where some areas have an occassional tuliptree or exotic (e.g. Prunus avium, Paulownia). 0 1 Moderate E High slope Metamorphic: Quartzite The substrate is almost soilless, very rocky, and almost scree-like in nature. The soil is mainly organic (decayed leaf litter) and very dry. 0 1 0 10 16 0 30 5 0 0 0 cold-deciduous broad-leaved forest 0 25 m 60 10 - 15 m 50 2 - 5 m 20 <2 m 5 <1 m 5 0 0-15 m 5 2/23/2004 sjp 26 VAFO.28 No Liriodendron tulipifera - Acer rubrum - Quercus spp. Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 1 460921 4438282 18 7/31/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot is typical of this stand. This stand is noticeably different from a more mature Liriodendron dominated stand to the west (upslope). 0 1 Somewhat steep NE Midslope Metamorphic: Quartzite Plot appears to be early successional with many old rotting logs on the forest floor. Stand may be 20-30 years old. 0 1 0 30 30 0 30 5 0 0 0 cold-deciduous broad-leaved forest 0 20 m 70 15 m 20 2-10 m 20 <2 m 5 <1 m 5 <1 m 5 <1 m 5 2/23/2004 sjp 25 VAFO.29 No Quercus (alba, rubra, velutina) / Cornus florida / Viburnum acerifolium Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 1 460900 4438318 18 7/31/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot is typical of this stand with some "tall shrub" size hemlocks outside the plot, as well as some large black oaks. 0 1 Steep NE Midslope Metamorphic: Quartzite Area has a very steep very rocky slope with some signs of past canopy mortality 20-30 years ago. Stand is a mix of large black and chestnut oak and younger trees (Liriodendron, Acer rubrum, Sassafras). 0 1 0 20 50 0 25 3 0 0 0 cold-deciduous broad-leaved forest 0 25-30 m 40 15 - 20 m 50 2 - 5 m 10 <2 m 5 <1 m 5 <1 m 5 <1 m 5 2/23/2004 sjp 33 VAFO.30 No Quercus prinus - Quercus (rubra, velutina) / Gaylussacia baccata Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 1 460555 4438163 18 7/31/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot is typical of the polygon and more representative than Plot VAFO.27. Kalmia+- ubiquitous. 0 1 Moderate N High slope Metamorphic: Quartzite Plot has some downed logs with 10-20 cm DBH and there are no other signs of recent disturbance. 0 1 0 1 1 0 95 3 0 0 0 cold-deciduous broad-leaved forest 0 25-30 m 60 10-25 m 30 2 - 5 m 50 <2 m 5 <1 m 5 <1 m 5 0 2/23/2004 sjp 19 VAFO.31 No Dactylis glomerata - Rumex acetosella Herbaceous Vegetation (Grassland) VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 1 464033 4438744 18 8/7/2000 Greg Podniesinski 5 5 square No No Plot is typical of a field though some areas have large patches of Lonicera japonica. 0 1 Gentle NE Midslope Dolostone Area is a former mowed lawn that is now mowed in early spring only. 0 1 0 0 0 0 20 0 0 0 0 Herb-perennial graminoid herbaceous vegetation 0 0 0 0 <1 m 5 <1 m 100 0 <1 m 5 2/24/2004 sjp 19 VAFO.32 No Dactylis glomerata - Rumex acetosella Herbaceous Vegetation (Grassland) VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 1 463202 4438214 18 8/7/2000 Greg Podniesinski, John Kunsman 5 5 square No No Plot is typical of this area of the field. 0 1 Gentle SW Lowslope Dolostone Lonicera japonica is a major problem. The field is mowed annually in the spring. 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Herb-perennial graminoid Herbaceous vegetation 0 0 0 0 <1 m 5 <1 m 70 0 <1 m 80 2/24/2004 sjp 19 VAFO.33 No Dactylis glomerata - Rumex acetosella Herbaceous Vegetation (Grassland) VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 1 462323 4438026 18 8/7/2000 Greg Podniesinski, John Kunsman 5 5 square No No Plot is typical of this area though individual species dominance varies (pathcy distributions). 0 1 Gentle W Lowslope Dolostone Area is annually mowed in the spring to control woody plants. 0 1 0 0 0 0 20 0 0 0 0 Herb-perennial graminoid herbaceous vegetation 0 0 0 0 <1 m 5 <1 m 100 0 <0.5 m 5 2/24/2004 sjp 21 VAFO.34 No Dactylis glomerata - Rumex acetosella Herbaceous Vegetation (Grassland) VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 1 461804 4437713 18 8/7/2000 Greg Podniesinski, John Kunsman 5 5 square No No Plot is typical of the field. Some areas have high Lonicera japonica cover (770%). 0 1 Gentle W Lowslope Dolostone Area is mowed annually in the spring. 0 1 0 0 0 0 20 0 0 0 0 Herb-perennial graminoid herbaceous vegetation 0 0 0 0 <1 m 5 <1 m 100 <1 m 5 <1 m 10 2/24/2004 sjp 28 VAFO.35 No Dactylis glomerata - Rumex acetosella Herbaceous Vegetation (Grassland) VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 1 462236 4438944 18 8/7/2000 Greg Podniesinski, John Kunsman 5 5 square No No Plot is typical of the rest of the field. There are a few small patches of little bluestem (<1% of the field) scattered in the field. 0 1 Gentle NE Low level Dolostone Field is mowed annually in the spring. 0 1 0 0 0 0 15 0 0 0 0 Herb-perennial graminoid herbaceous vegetation 0 0 0 0 <1 m 5 <1 m 100 0 <1 m 5 2/24/2004 sjp 27 VAFO.36 No Dactylis glomerata - Rumex acetosella Herbaceous Vegetation (Grassland) VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 1 462479 4439264 18 8/7/2000 Greg Podniesinski, John Kunsman 5 5 square No No Plot is typical of this field. Panicum anceps can approach 70-90% cover in some places. 0 1 Gentle SW Lowslope Dolostone Field is mowed annually in early spring. 0 1 0 0 0 0 20 0 0 0 0 Herb-perennial graminoid herbaceous vegetation 0 0 0 0 <1 m 5 <1 m 100 <1 m 5 <1 m 5 2/24/2004 sjp 24 VAFO.37 No Dactylis glomerata - Rumex acetosella Herbaceous Vegetation (Grassland) VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 1 463643 4439455 18 8/7/2000 Greg Podniesinski, John Kunsman 5 5 square No No Plot is typical of about 40% of the field. Other portions have higher (60-90%) cover of Festuca elatior. 0 1 Moderate N Midslope Sandstone and shales Field is mowed on an annual basis in the early spring. 0 1 0 0 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 Herb-perennial graminoid herbaceous vegetation 0 0 0 0 <1 m 80 <1 m 20 0 0 2/24/2004 sjp 27 VAFO.38 No Platanus occidentalis - Fraxinus pennsylvanica Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 1 459884 4440305 18 8/10/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot is more or less typical of this polygon. The polygon has frequent small gaps (single canopy tree blowdown/disease mortality). Plot more typical of areas with intact canopy. 0 1 Flat Flat (n/a) Low level Alluvium Plot is subject to occassional flooding in extreme (less than annual) flood events. No sign of recent anthropogenic disturbance. 0 1 0 0 0 0 60 5 0 30 0 cold-deciduous broad-leaved forest 0 25 m 60 15 m 40 2-8 m 30 <2 m 5 <1 m 10 0 0-20 m 20 2/24/2004 sjp 36 VAFO.39 No Platanus occidentalis - Fraxinus pennsylvanica Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 1 459957 4440303 18 8/10/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot more or less typical of stand. 0 1 Flat Flat (n/a) Low level Alluvium Young to mid-successional forest. Probably old farm land; stand 25-40 years old. Debris piles indicate occassional flooding (less than annually). Small canopy gaps common. 0 1 0 0 0 0 30 5 0 60 0 Cold-deciduous Broad-leaved Forest 0 20 - 30 m 70 10 - 15 m 30 2 - 10 m 10 <2 m 5 <1 m 40 0 0 - 20 m 10 2/24/2004 sjp 32 VAFO.40 No Dactylis glomerata - Rumex acetosella Herbaceous Vegetation (Grassland) VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 1 460748 4439925 18 8/10/2000 Greg Podniesinski 5 5 Square No No Plot typical of field; field dominated by Festuca rubra, but patches dominated by other grasses occassionally occur. 0 1 Gentle SW Lowslope Sandstone and Shale Former agricultural field, mowed annually in early spring; lower (southern) end of field mowed mid-summer. 0 1 0 0 0 0 20 0 0 0 0 Herb-perennial Graminoid Herbaceous vegetation 0 0 0 0 <1 m 5 <1 m 100 0 <1 m 5 2/24/2004 sjp 22 VAFO.41 No Dactylis glomerata - Rumex acetosella Herbaceous Vegetation (Grassland) VAFO Valley Forge 40075143 1 460974 4439673 18 8/10/2000 Greg Podniesinski 5 5 Square No No Typical of most grasslands around pools; some lower swales have some Cyperus and Carex spp. 0 1 Flat Flat (n/a) Basin floor Degraded Coal Silt? Alluvium? Area part of former coal silt settlement basin, no signs of recent disturbance. 0 1 0 0 0 0 20 0 0 0 0 Herb-perennial Graminoid Herbaceous vegetation 0 0 0 0 <1 m 5 <1 m 100 <1 m 5 <1 m 5 2/24/2004 sjp 29 VAFO.42 No Platanus occidentalis - Fraxinus pennsylvanica Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 1 460755 4439545 18 8/10/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot typical of stnad, with occassional large gaps dominated by Microstegium. 0 1 Gentle NE Basin floor Coal Silt / Alluvium Forest lies in a former coal silt settling basin. Likely floods up to a foot deep in spring. 0 1 0 0 0 0 20 5 0 5 0 Cold-deciduous Broad-leaved Forest 20 - 25 m 20 15 - 20 m 50 5 - 15 m 30 2 - 5 m 5 <2 m 5 <1 m 90 0 <1 m 5 2/24/2004 sjp 25 VAFO.43 No Liriodendron tulipifera - Acer rubrum - Quercus spp. Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 1 460579 4440078 18 8/13/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot typical of stand / polygon. Some hemlocks and pines near southwest edge of stand. 0 1 Gentle W Lowslope Sandstone and Shale Area is dominated by large Liriodendron with very little shrub layer. Herb layer almost entirely Microstegium, indicating very heavy deer browsing. 15 deer seen from plot (<100 meters away). 0 1 0 0 0 0 10 2 0 1 0 Cold-deciduous Broad-leaved Forest 0 30 m 80 15 - 25 m 10 2 - 5 m 20 <2 m 5 <1 m 100 0 0 - 3 m 5 2/23/2004 sjp 17 VAFO.44 No Modified Successional Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 1 460273 4439931 18 8/13/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot more or less typical of polygon. Polygon very variable in composition reflecting disturbance associated with dike construction and invasion by herbaceous and woody exotics. 0 1 Steep NE Toeslope Fill Material / Alluvium Plot is located 1/2 to 2/3 on south side of dike. Polygon appears to consist of levee/dike, borrow area for dike and adjacent disturbed ground on north and south side of dike. Community very mixed with regards to composition, with early successional and invasive species widespread, some large trees, but mostly trees are 10-30 years old. 0 1 0 0 0 0 20 5 0 30 0 Cold-deciduous Broad-leaved Forest 0 2 - 5 m 90 10 - 20 m 30 2 - 5 m 40 <2 m 20 <1 m 30 0 0 - 20 m 70 2/23/2004 sjp 38 VAFO.45 No Platanus occidentalis - Fraxinus pennsylvanica Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 1 460310 4439732 18 8/13/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot typical of basins, except for the wettest parts, which are typified by clumps of willow and river birch, Polygonum sp. (amphibium?), and duckweed. 0 1 Gentle SW Basin floor Fill / Coal Silt This part of the polygon is characterized by shallow basins that more or less dry out by late summer. Likely wet and inundated in the spring. All green ash have swollen lower boles. 0 1 0 0 0 0 20 0 0 10 0 Cold-deciduous Broad-leaved Forest 0 10 m 50 0 2 - 5 m 20 <2 m 5 <1 m 90 0 0 - 8 m 20 2/24/2004 sjp 50 VAFO.46 No Modified Successional Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 1 460040 4440073 18 8/17/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot typical of stand; yound successional forest. 0 1 Gentle W Low level Coal Silt, Fill or Alluvium Plot located within coal silt settling basin; substrate appears to be silt loam. 0 1 0 0 1 0 25 0 0 70 0 Cold-deciduous Broad-leaved Forest 0 25 m 80 10 - 15 m 40 2 - 5 m 20 <2 m 10 <1 m 30 0 0 - 20 m 40 2/24/2004 sjp 35 VAFO.47 No Platanus occidentalis - Fraxinus pennsylvanica Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 1 460170 4439748 18 8/17/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot typical of wetter basins and low levees in polygon. Polygon is a mosaic characterized by VAFO 46 and 47. 0 1 Flat Flat (n/a) Low level Coal Silt or Alluvium Plot about 60% in basin and 40% on low levee; typical of wetter portions of polygon. VAFO 46 more typical of higher, drier portions of polygon. Area is former coal silt settling basin. 0 1 0 0 0 0 40 0 0 0 0 Cold-deciduous Broad-leaved Forest 0 20 - 25 m 80 10 - 20 m 20 2 - 5 m 20 <2 m 5 <1 m 60 0 0 - 20 m 20 2/24/2004 sjp 26 VAFO.48 No Platanus occidentalis - Fraxinus pennsylvanica Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 1 460821 4440366 18 8/17/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot typical of most of polygon; silver maple codominant in other portions of stand. 0 1 Flat Flat (n/a) Low level Sandstone and Shale Polygon is wide swale with one ore more shallow, ephemeral channels. Area is poorly drained as indicated by green ash, sedges and scirpus. 0 1 0 0 0 0 25 1 0 5 0 0 20 - 25 m 80 5 - 15 m 10 0 <1 m 5 <1 m 90 0 0 - 6 m 5 2/24/2004 sjp 28 VAFO.49 No Liriodendron tulipifera - Acer rubrum - Quercus spp. Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 1 460885 4440356 18 8/17/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot typical of polygon. 0 1 Gentle W Lowslope Sandstone and Shale Appears to be successional stand on former agricultural land. Stand dominants are tuliptree and ash. 0 1 0 0 0 0 20 5 0 5 0 Cold-deciduous Broad-leaved Forest 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2/23/2004 sjp 20 VAFO.50 No Liriodendron tulipifera - Acer rubrum - Quercus spp. Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 1 461007 4440366 18 8/17/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot typical of stand; a few patches of canopy-stature Ailanthus occur. Composition more mixed than in Liriodendron-dominated stands elsewhere at VAFO. 0 1 Gentle S High level Sandstone and Shale Maturing tuliptree-mixed hardwood stand on former agricultural land. 0 1 0 0 0 0 10 5 0 0 0 Cold-deciduous Broad-leaved Forest 0 30 - 40 m 80 10 - 25 m 20 2 - 5 m 30 <2 m 5 <1 m 90 0 0 - 15 m 5 2/23/2004 sjp 24 VAFO.51 No Platanus occidentalis - Fraxinus pennsylvanica Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 1 460684 4439375 18 8/21/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot typical of north side of levee and toe-of-slope. 0 1 Somewhat steep S Toeslope Coal Silt / Fill Plot located on toe-of-slope and north side of levee. No signs of recent disturbance. 0 1 0 0 0 0 75 1 0 20 0 Cold-deciduous Broad-leaved Forest 0 25 m 80 10 - 20 m 30 2 - 5 m 40 <2 m 10 <1 m 20 0 0 - 20 m 20 2/24/2004 sjp 24 VAFO.52 No Modified Successional Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 1 461142 4439660 18 8/21/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot more or less typical of levee in this section. Trees are larger in other parts of levee in this polygon and other species may be more abundant, but black locust is usually present and often dominant. 0 1 Somewhat steep W Lowslope Fill, Coal Silt, Alluvium Young black locust forest on north and west facing slope of settling basin levee. 0 1 0 0 0 0 40 1 0 20 0 Cold-deciduous Broad-leaved Forest 0 15 m 70 0 2 - 5 m 5 <2 m 20 <1 m 60 0 0 - 15 m 20 2/23/2004 sjp 26 VAFO.53 No Platanus occidentalis - Fraxinus pennsylvanica Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 1 461290 4439671 18 8/21/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot appears typical of polygon. 0 1 Gentle N Low level Alluvium Area appears to experience regular overbank flow from the Schuylkill River, with extensive areas of bare soil. Dormant Ranunculus ficaria bulbils are everywhere (2-5 per square cm). 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 5 0 85 0 Cold-deciduous Broad-leaved Forest 0 30 m 70 10 - 20 m 50 2 - 5 m 5 <2 m 5 <1 m 10 0 <1 m 5 2/24/2004 sjp 23 VAFO.54 No Modified Successional Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 1 461612 4440110 18 8/25/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot typical of area; some areas are more open, but gaps are typically about 5-15 meters in diameter. 0 1 Gentle S Midslope Sandstone and Shale Area appears as successional old field with weedy trees, herbs and vines. Many clumps of multiflora rose are dead (sprayed?). Perennial vines significant problem on most woody plants. Ploygonum perfoliatum a problem in the understory layer. 0 1 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 1 0 Cold-deciduous Broad-leaved Woodland 0 16 m 50 5 - 10 m 20 2 - 5 m 20 <2 m 5 <1 m 90 0 0 - 16 m 50 2/23/2004 sjp 27 VAFO.55 No Modified Successional Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 1 461539 4439909 18 8/25/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot more or less typical of area; very variable in composition. 0 1 Gentle SW Low level Sandstone and Shale Similar to area at Plot 53, but with higher woody plant density and smaller gaps. Very weedy successional woodland / forest on old agricultural land. Smothering vines abundant (Especially Vitis, and Celastrus to a lesser extent). 0 1 0 0 0 0 5 1 0 2 0 Cold-deciduous Broad-leaved Forest 0 20 m 50 10 - 15 m 40 2 - 5 m 20 <2 m 5 <1 m 90 0 0 - 20 m 30 2/23/2004 sjp 21 VAFO.56 No Calamagrostis canadensis - Phalaris arundinacea Herbaceous Vegetation VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 1 461605 4439870 18 8/25/2000 Greg Podniesinski 10 10 Square No No Plot straddled three vegetation zones in a swale: 1 - a wide Phalaris zone, 2 - a narrow, sometimes intermittent Sparganium zone, 3 - a Polygonum hydropiperoides - Microstegium zone. 0 1 Flat Flat (n/a) Low level Alluvium / Sapric Peat Area appears to be a large swale (a former backwater area / channel?). Very little woody vegetation. 0 1 0 0 0 0 50 0 0 0 0 Herb-perennial Graminoid Herbaceous vegetation 0 0 0 0 0 <1.5 m 100 0 0 2/24/2004 sjp 9 VAFO.57 No Acer saccharinum - (Populus deltoides) / Matteuccia struthiopteris Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 1 461861 4439997 18 8/25/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot more or less typical of stand. River birch present along river in narrow band. Sycamore tends to be most abundant within about 30 meters of river. 0 1 Flat Flat (n/a) Low level Alluvium Plot on active floodplain, may not flood annually, but likely wet in spring. Large silver maples suggest no recent human disturbance, other than incidental foot traffic from walking / biking trail about 30 meters south of plot. 0 1 0 0 0 0 5 5 0 80 0 Cold-deciduous Broad-leaved Forest 0 35 m 70 15 - 20 m 40 2 - 5 m 10 <2 m 5 <1 m 20 0 0 - 20 m 20 2/24/2004 sjp 20 VAFO.58 No Quercus (alba, rubra, velutina) / Cornus florida / Viburnum acerifolium Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 1 462211 4440224 18 8/25/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot more or less typical of stand; composition varies with clumping distribution of individual tree species. 0 1 Somewhat steep N Midslope Sandstone and Shale Nearly mature stand of mixed hardwoods: black oaks, beech, locally abundant tuliptree. No signs of recent disturbance other than footpaths. Understory sparse. Most of polygon on slope and 20-30 meters morth of slope, on flat. 0 1 0 1 5 0 60 2 0 10 0 Cold-deciduous Broad-leaved Forest 0 30 - 35 m 80 10 - 25 m 30 2 - 5 m 40 0 <1 m 5 <0.1 m 5 <1 m 5 2/23/2004 sjp 29 VAFO.59 No Liriodendron tulipifera - Acer rubrum - Quercus spp. Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 1 462425 4440277 18 8/25/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot more or less typical of stand; Liriodendron dominant or co-dominant, but maybe less important in localized patches. 0 1 Gentle SE Step in slope Fill / Sandstone and Shale Area appears to be mid-successional with a mix of older and much younger trees (partial clearing in past). More or less a typical Liriodendron forest, though a little more mixed in composition; e.g. beech and american elm present. 0 1 0 0 0 0 40 5 0 5 0 Cold-deciduous Broad-leaved Forest 0 30 m 70 10 - 20 m 40 2 - 5 m 30 <2 m 5 <1 m 40 0 0 - 25 m 30 2/23/2004 sjp 25 VAFO.60 No Modified Successional Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 1 463609 4440072 18 8/26/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot more or less typical of polygon at east end of park; but along river (on flood plain), typical trees are still sycamore, river birch, box elder, silver maple. 0 1 Moderate SW Step in slope Sandstone and Shale Area very disturbed with high density of foot paths. Abundant exotic species. 0 1 0 0 1 0 15 5 0 50 0 Cold-deciduous Broad-leaved Forest 0 30 m 70 8 - 20 m 30 2 - 5 m 40 <2 m 20 <1 m 10 0 0 - 25 m 40 2/23/2004 sjp 40 VAFO.61 No Liriodendron tulipifera - Acer rubrum - Quercus spp. Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 1 463379 4440530 18 8/26/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot more or less typical of polygon, with a mosaic of mostly forested and occasionally herbaceous patches. 0 1 Gentle E High level Sandstone and Shale Very similar in structure to VAFO 59. Large canopy trees well-spaced, with occassional berbaceous patches. Moderate density of small pole-sized trees in tall shrub-subcanopy layer. 0 1 0 0 5 0 15 5 0 70 0 Cold-deciduous Broad-leaved Forest 0 30 m 80 15 - 25 m 30 2 - 5 m 50 <2 m 5 <1 m 10 <0.1 m 5 0 - 25 m 20 2/23/2004 sjp 27 VAFO.62 No Modified Successional Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 1 463154 4440364 18 8/26/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot typical of polygon. 0 1 Moderate S Midslope Sandstone and Shale Near monotypic black locust stand just south of old nursery; trees do not appear to be in rows (i.e. not planted). 0 1 0 0 0 0 5 2 0 5 0 Cold-deciduous Broad-leaved Forest 0 2 - 5 m 70 10 - 20 m 50 2 - 5 m 20 <2 m 5 <1 m 80 0 0 - 20 m 10 2/23/2004 sjp 24 VAFO.63 No Successional Shrubland / Old Field VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 1 462811 4440365 18 8/26/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot typical of grassland portion of polygon; shrub portion mostly Elaeagnus umbellata and Rosa multiflora with grassland element disappearing where shrubs are densest. Also in field, but scattered are some Cornus racemosa, Platanus, Prunus species. 0 1 Gentle W Low level Sandstone and Shale Part of old field, most of field is a dense thicket of multiflora rose and Elaeagnus. Appears to be an old agricultural field, part of an old nursery. Old vehicle ruts are common. The field has many trails. 0 1 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 Herb-perennial Graminoid Herbaceous vegetation 0 0 0 0 <2 m 20 <1 m 70 0 <1 m 5 2/24/2004 sjp 29 VAFO.64 No Platanus occidentalis - Fraxinus pennsylvanica Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 1 462663 4440156 18 8/26/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot typical of polygon in this area; occassional weedy, open gaps occur with greater abundance of herbs, vines, and shrubs. 0 1 Flat Flat (n/a) Low level Alluvium Active, albeit high, floodplain forest. Adjacent trail. No signs of recent human disturbance other than foot / bike trail. 0 1 0 0 0 0 5 10 0 70 0 Cold-deciduous Broad-leaved Forest 0 30 m 80 15 - 25 m 40 2 - 5 m 20 <2 m 20 <1 m 5 0 0 - 25 m 20 2/24/2004 sjp 21 VAFO.65 No Modified Successional Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 1 461637 4439546 18 8/28/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot more or less typical of the polygon, Polygonum perfoliatum is densest near the edges of polygon, with Microstegium more prevalent where the canopy is densest. Occassional large gaps occur, dominated by Microstegium and P. perfoliatum. 0 1 Gentle N Midslope Sandstone and Shale Area consists of open forest (mostly Juglans nigra). Understory very weedy and dominated by Polygonum perfoliatum and Microstegium vimineum. Most shrubs and saplings have a dense cover of P. perfoliatum and/or Vitis aestivalis. Most canopy trees have a moderate to heavy cover of Vitis. 0 1 0 0 0 0 5 5 0 5 0 Cold-deciduous Broad-leaved Forest 0 25 m 60 5 - 15 m 5 2 - 5 m 10 <2 m 5 <1 m 90 0 0 - 25 m 50 2/23/2004 sjp 26 VAFO.66 No Pinus strobus Planted Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 1 461761 4439592 18 8/28/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot is more or less typical of the stand. Dominant conifer species depend on portion of the stand you are in. 0 1 Moderate N Midslope Sedimentary Rocks: Sandstone and Shale Area is an old pine/European tamarack plantation with some volunteer hardwood species. Occassional gaps have dense Microstegium cover and larger gaps also have Rubus and other weedy species. Vines are smothering the crowns of many conifers (Vitis aestivalis). 0 1 0 0 0 0 65 5 0 0 0 Mixed evergreen - cold-deciduous Needle-leaved Forest 0 30 - 35 m 90 8-15 m 5 2 - 5 m 5 <2 m 5 <1 m 30 <0.1 m 5 0-30 m 40 2/24/2004 sjp 26 VAFO.67 No Liriodendron tulipifera - Acer rubrum - Quercus spp. Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 1 461920 4439616 18 8/28/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot is typical of this stand. 0 1 Moderate N Midslope Sedimentary Rocks: Sandstone and Shale Area is similar to other tulip poplar stands in the park. Area is probably old agricultural land and has a very open understory. 0 1 0 0 1 0 70 0 0 2 0 cold-deciduous Broad-leaved forest 0 30 m 80 10 - 20 m 40 2 - 5 m 20 <2 m 5 <1 m 50 0 0-20 m 5 2/23/2004 sjp 32 VAFO.68 No Modified Successional Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 1 462059 4439714 18 8/28/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot is more or less typical of the stand. Occassional gaps that do occur are often dominated by Microstegium. 0 1 Moderate N Lowslope Sedimentary Rocks: Sandstone and Shale Area is a very uneven stage stand with some very large red oaks, ash, bitternut hickory, and many pole-sized sassafras, elm, flowering dogwood, ash, and bitternut hickory. Understory has the usual weedy species. 0 1 0 0 0 0 60 2 0 1 0 cold-deciduous broad-leaved forest 0 30-35 m 70 10-25 m 50 2 - 5 m 30 <2 m 5 <1 m 40 0 0-20 m 30 2/23/2004 sjp 35 VAFO.69 No Pinus strobus Planted Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 1 462139 4439617 18 8/28/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot is more or less typical of the stand with larger gaps tending to have Microstegium cover. 0 1 Moderate N Midslope Sedimentary Rocks: Sandstone and Shale Area is a former pine plantation with volunteer hardwoods (white ash, black cherry, black oak). Vitis is a problem in some pine tree crowns. 0 1 0 0 0 0 90 5 0 0 0 Mixed evergreen - cold-deciduous Needle-leaved forest 0 20-25 m 80 8-15 m 10 0 <1 m 5 <1 m 5 0 0-25 m 10 2/24/2004 sjp 30 VAFO.70 No Modified Successional Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 1 461948 4439762 18 9/18/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot is more or less typical of the polygon with a weedy young successional stand with heavy vine growth. 0 1 Flat Flat (n/a) Step in slope Fill There is a large, recently fallen snag in the middle of the plot. The community appears to be dominated by vines in part of the overstory. The stand is relatively young at 15-30 years old. 0 1 0 0 0 0 70 10 0 2 0 cold-deciduous broad-leaved forest 0 10-20 m 60 5-10 m 40 2 - 5 m 20 <2 m 5 <1 m 10 0 0-15 m 60 2/23/2004 sjp 25 VAFO.71 No Platanus occidentalis - Fraxinus pennsylvanica Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 1 462131 4439836 18 9/18/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot is more or less typical of the polygon. Canopy dominants are somewhat variable. 0 1 Gentle S Step in slope Fill Plot is located on fill and coal silt with some coke/steel slag mixed in. A foot path runs through the middle of the plot. Other than the footpath, there are no signs of recent disturbance. 0 1 0 0 0 0 45 5 0 5 0 cold-deciduous broad-leaved forest 0 20-30 m 70 10-20 m 30 2-10 m 30 <2 m 5 <1 m 60 <0.1 m 5 0-25 m 5 2/24/2004 sjp 25 VAFO.72 No Modified Successional Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 1 462319 4439507 18 9/18/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot is more or less typical of the polygons. Some patches are devoid of trees and are nearly 100% wisteria. 0 1 Moderate N Midslope Sedimentary Rocks: Sandstone and Shale Polygon is over-run by wisteria sp which is choking and smothering nearly all the other woody and herbaceous plants. 0 1 0 0 0 0 60 5 0 2 0 cold-deciduous broad-leaved woodland 0 20 m 50 5-15 m 20 2 - 5 m 10 <2 m 5 <1 m 5 0 0-20 m 90 2/23/2004 sjp 24 VAFO.73 No Liriodendron tulipifera - Acer rubrum - Quercus spp. Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 1 462535 4439451 18 9/18/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot is more or less typical of the stand with the shrub layer varying from non-existant to dense. 0 1 Gentle N High level Sedimentary Rocks: Sandstone and Shale Stand is dominated by large tuliptrees with a mix of oaks and white ash being sub-dominant to occassional. Signs of heavy deer browsing on shrubs is evident. 0 1 0 0 0 0 75 5 0 20 0 Cold-deciduous Broad-leaved Forest 0 25-35 m 80 8-20 m 40 2-8 m 40 <2 m 20 <1 m 10 0 0-20 m 5 2/23/2004 sjp 26 VAFO.74 No Liriodendron tulipifera - Acer rubrum - Quercus spp. Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 1 463197 4439666 18 9/18/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot is more or less typical of the polygon with white pine locally abundant in small clumps that don't appear to be planted. 0 1 Moderate N Midslope Sedimentary Rocks: Sandstone and Shale Area is a tuliptree-dominated stand that is 30-50 yrs old with a sparse subcanopy and moderate cover in the shrub layer. The herb layer is sparse with Alliaria possibly dense in the spring and many dead flowering stems observed in September. No signs of recent disturbance, but some lightly used footpaths present. 0 1 0 0 0 0 85 5 0 10 0 Cold-deciduous Broad-leaved Forest 0 22-35 m 80 5-15 m 10 2-5 m 40 <2 m 5 <1 m 5 <0.1 m 5 0-5 m 5 2/23/2004 sjp 31 VAFO.75 No Quercus (alba, rubra, velutina) / Cornus florida / Viburnum acerifolium Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 1 462824 4439708 18 9/18/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot is more or less typical of the polygon. Tuliptree is locally abundant in small clumps. The stand canopy is dominated by oaks with Cornus florida abundant in the shrub layer. 0 1 Moderate NE Midslope Sedimentary Rocks: Sandstone and Shale Area has scattered, mature canopy trees with a dense tall shrub layer and a low subcanopy layer. The ground layer is very sparse with abundant oak leaf litter. 0 1 0 0 0 0 94 1 0 5 0 Cold-deciduous Broad-leaved Forest 0 30-35 m 70 5-25 m 30 2-5 m 60 <2 m 5 <1 m 5 0 0-25 m 5 2/23/2004 sjp 28 VAFO.76 No Modified Successional Forest VAFO Valley Forge 4007514 1 463512 4439189 18 10/2/2000 Greg Podniesinski 20 20 Square No No Plot is more or less typical of the polygon. Small patches of white pine also occur as well as scattered Juniperus virginiana. 0 1 Moderate S Midslope Dolostone Polygon is a weedy, young successional forest on old agricultural land near an old (asbestos source?) quarry. | ||
