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
10
m
Tree Cover
8
%
Shrub Cover
30
%
Field Cover
12
%
Nonvascular Cover
10
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
The habitat of this plot is a long, convex, depositional boulder/cobble bar along the Potomac River in Mather Gorge. It supports a woodland of stunted, damaged, flood-trained trees, largely of Platanus occidentalis. Surface substrate consists of hard-packed sandy soils among prevalent water-worn boulders and cobbles, producing a difficult and periodically droughty edaphic environment for herbaceous plants.