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
70
%
Shrub Cover
10
%
Field Cover
5
%
Nonvascular Cover
1
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
The vegetation of this north-facing spur slope is characterized by a canopy of widely spaced oaks (chiefly Quercus montana and Q. alba) overtopping a more dense subcanopy of Acer saccharum and a very open understory and herb stratum. Although composition appears homogeneous above plot to crest of ridge, narrow width of slope and steep topography below likely restrict stand size to little more than 1 ha. Extreme density of soil may account for the virtual absence of herbs. Soil depth was not measured due to insufficient strength of probe and investigator. Plot contains a few sapling snags of unknown identity. Abundant coarse woody debris suggests past disturbance, but there is no evidence of storms. Most debris is relatively small, however, and dense Acer cover prevents clear view of canopy.
Light brown, dry, very fine-textured and extremely compact and dense clay silt loam; soil forms clods up to 3-4 mm; although very few rocks were encountered, soil is extraordinarily difficult to extract
