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:
Field Height
1
m
Tree Cover
15
%
Shrub Cover
50
%
Field Cover
80
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot located on southwest-facing flank of a narrow spur ridge west of Elliston. Though steep and droughty, the relatively deep soil is apparently fertile, based on the mesotrophic indicators Hepatica americana, Eupatorium sessilifolium, Thalictrum dioicum, Triosteum perfoliatum and Astragalus canadensis. Hybanthus concolor, a permesotrophic indicator, is usually abundant throughout this area, even growing on xeric rocky faces. Its indicator value is somewhat compromised here. 20 composites in plot. Above the plot, on the crest of the spur ridge, the vegetation has a grassy understory, obviously drier and less fertile. At the time of sampling, some leaves of woody species had already fallen; cover estimated as if full foliage were present.
Quercus muhlenbergii in plot measured ca. 35 cm dbh (a somewhat gnarled, drought stressed tree).