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
38
m
Shrub Height
5
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
80
%
Shrub Cover
5
%
Field Cover
5
%
Nonvascular Cover
1
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Mesic mixed hardwood forest characterized by a low density of large, broad-crowned Fagus grandifolia and Liriodendron tulipifera; a very open understory; and a sparse herb layer in which Brachyelytrum erectum forms small dominance patches. Both past high grading and more contemporary heavy deer browsing may account for the open condition of the understory. The sparse herb layer is nevertheless surprisingly diverse, with a large contribution from tree seedlings, a phenomenon which has been observed in other mesic upland forests of the outer Piedmont and inner Coastal Plain. Tree stature is likely a function of relatively abundant soil moisture, whereas nutrient deficiency limits herbaceous cover. Tree data are somewhat misleading; Fagus is leading dominant species, but several trees are located just outside plot boundaries.
0 - 2 - litter + duff
2 - 10 - medium to dark brown sandy loam, with some organic matter
10 - 31 - yellowish sandy loam
31 - 54 - lighter, almost off-white sandy loam
54 - yellowish-orange clay loam, with some sand
Disturbance Data:
Disturbance Type
Disturbance Intensity
Disturbance Comment
unknown
Seedlings of Ailanthus are scattered throughout stand