Invertebrates in a retreating coastal forest near Nassawadox, VA , 2019-2020

Sampling was conducted on the Eastern Shore of Virginia at Brownsville Preserve, part of the Virginia Coast Reserve LTER and adjacent to Upper Phillips Creek (37.463, -75.835). Plots were established in five zones along the forest-to-salt marsh gradient based on vegetation communities and seedling recruitment. The high forest (HF) is characterized by both coniferous and deciduous tree species, with maximum seedling recruitment. The mid forest (MF) contains primarily coniferous trees and shrubs and shows reduced seedling recruitment. The low forest (LF) canopy shows partial mortality due to salt stress and no tree recruitment; the understory contains primarily invasive (Phragmites australis) but also salt marsh (Spartina patens, Distichlis spicata) plant species. The transition zone (TZ) contains mostly dead mature trees, with its understory dominated by S. patens, D. spicata, and P. australis. The high marsh (HM) does not contain trees and is dominated by S. patens and D. spicata. 2019 data was collected September 16-18, 2019. 2020 data was collected September 8-9, 2020.