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
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Tree Height
35
m
Tree Cover
60
%
Shrub Cover
20
%
Field Cover
85
%
Nonvascular Cover
1
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Somewhat disturbed, successional stand of subcanopy Liriodendron tulipifera beneath interrupted overstory of Acer, mature Quercus alba and Carya ovalis. Community sampled as a discretionary plot after unsuccessful attempt to find representative, intact montane dry calcareous forest/woodland at edge of limestone cliffs, but this particular stand was not the most worthy candidate. Adjacent to plot to the west is dense understory of Asimina triloba in slight concavity; a more noteworthy stand of scattered, larger Quercus and Carya is believed to occur another 100-200 m farther west, but faulty memory accounts for failure to return there. Herb cover in this stand is high but composition and somewhat weedy, which is likely a function of past canopy disturbance. Plot sampled in the driving rain, and consequently cover values may be inaccurate, particularly those of tree species present in multiple vertical strata.
Directions: From intersection with Lewis Hollow Trail, follow Ridge Trail west ca. 900 m to head of ravine on right, where trail bends 90 deg to the right. Here depart trail to the left and follow narrow cove southeast to edge of precipitous limestone cliffs. From here walk ENE along cliff to plot, which is located just west of broad ravine with cave entrance at bottom. Tagged tree is a Carya ovalis of 71 cm DBH with tag #169. Conduit is at a bearing of 98 degrees and 4 m from tree.