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 Cover
90
%
Shrub Cover
30
%
Field Cover
15
%
Nonvascular Cover
1
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
A post-logging forest about 90 years old. The preeminence of Quercus velutina at this site and others in the study area (cf. GJNF334) is apparently a disturbance phenomenon, but its occurrence as an important associate of Quercus montana in somewhat xeric to submesic forests (cf. GJNF350, GJNF336) is strongly associated with south to southeast aspects and sandy and/or sandstoney soils. This community is quite oligotrophic, but mesic, apparently not much influenced by fire and situated on a bench near the bottom of a major narrow stream valley, which results in cooler, moisture local climate. These conditions doubtless explain the presence of Liriodendron, a regular associate tree on oligotrophic lower slopes and other mesic sites outside of the shale country, and Rhododendron maximum, which is largely restricted to acidic ravine bottoms and adjacent lower slopes.
Plot located ca. 0.7 mi northwest of Morning Knob, ca. 200-300 ft straight uphill from parking area on Rt. 600, and ca. 100 ft southwest along contour. Rebar stake has been removed; use photos to relocate.