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:
Field Height
1
m
Tree Cover
50
%
Shrub Cover
30
%
Field Cover
15
%
Nonvascular Cover
30
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
A red spruce forest on relatively deep, sandy soil on gentle topography bordering small headwater streams. Most spruces appear healthy, but yet a considerable number of trees are dead, creating small canopy openings. Cold air drainage undoubtedly contributes to maintaining a frost pocket microclimate and the spruce forest. Surprisingly, unlike plot GRNF702, Tsuga canadensis is entirely absent, suggesting a cooler microclimate resulting from slightly higher elevation and more pronounced effects of cold air drainage and collection.
Plot located 0.35 mi southeast of Hall Spring in Picea rubens forest at junction of main channel of Laurel Run and tributary joining from the east.
