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
1000
m²
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Tree Height
21
m
Tree Cover
50
%
Shrub Cover
25
%
Field Cover
5
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Small stand of maritime mixed forest on secondary dune system south of boardwalk at Cape Charles Coastal Habitat. Quercus falcata and emergent Pinus taeda dominate the overstory, and large, gnarled boles of Sassafras albidum and Ilex opaca form well-developed shrub and subcanopy strata. Both composition and structure of stand are similar to dune woodland at Savage Neck NAP, although physiognomy is clearly forest here. Portions of modules 1 and 10 include two separate gaps, beneath which Campsis radicans, Lonicera japonica, and Aralia spinosa are most abundant. Microtopography is undulating in both directions.
Note: This plot replaces the original CAPE001P, a sparsely vegetated community which was destroyed by development of the adjacent golf course.