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 Cover
50
%
Shrub Cover
20
%
Field Cover
5
%
Nonvascular Cover
2
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Young, disturbed, somewhat heterogeneous stand on upper, northwest-facing slope in the western end of Grassy Hill NAP. Species characteristic of mafic or magnesium-rich soils are altogether absent, with the exception of the ubiquitous Prunus alleghaniensis. This community seems representative of the prevailing vegetation of much of this part of the preserve (at least where Pinus virginiana does not dominate successional stands). Quercus montana and Q. alba share dominance; the stand is generally young (< 50 yr), but contains scattered relict trees 40-60 cm dbh; Carya glabra is relatively sparse; the shrub layer contains a moderately high density of tree seedlings and small saplings; and a fairly sparse, interrupted ground layer is dominated by woody species but generally lacks ericads. Gap just upslope from module 3 contributes some light.
Light to medium brown, dry, shallow, very rocky (abounding in cobbles and pebbles) fine-textured silt loam; thickness of litter and duff varies greatly and occasionally exceeds 10 cm
