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
6
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
90
%
Shrub Cover
60
%
Field Cover
5
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot location: ravine on west slope, 1.23 km SSW of US Rt. 50 bridge over Little River at Aldie. Not permanently marked. Rock types present: muscovite schist / phyllite fragments.
The plot is situated in a shallow ravine that appears to be somewhat more mesic than the prevalent dry, convex slope at this north end of the Bull Run Mountains. This habitat supports a second-growth forest of mixed Quercus spp., Carya spp., Liriodendron tulipifera, and some Fagus grandifolia that contrasts sharply with the oligotrophic oak/heath stands that occupy much of the ridge. Despite inroads by the fungal pathogen dogwood anthracnose, Cornus florida is still an abundant small tree/shrub. Herb cover on this ravine slope is lower than expected, at least in part because of intense deer-grazing impacts (considerable herbivory observed in the plot and vicinity). The following plants were noticeably damaged by herbivory: Carex digitalis var. digitalis, Carex laxiflora, Cornus florida, Desmodium rotundifolium, Maianthemum racemosum ssp. racemosum, Polygonatum biflorum var. biflorum, and Solidago caesia.