Intensive 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
800
m²
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Field Height
1
m
Tree Cover
70
%
Shrub Cover
90
%
Field Cover
1
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot occupies crest of spur ridge along preserve boundary; far corner of module 1 actually falls outside preserve. Most of plot has no pronounced aspect, but modules 1 and 10 slope down to very slight saddle. Downed boles of what appears to be Castanea dentata abound, but there are relatively few sprouts. Most of low-cover woody species occur in gaps; one gap present between modules 1 and 2 and another in 7. Extent of Rhododendron maximum ends in module 4 and hence plot is limited to 800 sq. m. Plot probably fails to
capture the most representative vegetation here (that appears to exist beyond the preserve boundary to the south), but extensive reconnaissance in the rain was not practical. Canopy height and height of individual trees could not be accurately determined because of dense Rhododendron. Driving rain and poor visibility precluded measuring topographic indices. Patience of Rebecca Wilson and Pat Lookabaugh is admirable.
Stake A located ca. 2.5 m from blazed Quercus alba along preserve boundary.
