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:
Tree Height
32
m
Shrub Height
4
m
Field Height
4
m
Tree Cover
80
%
Shrub Cover
60
%
Field Cover
0.5
%
Nonvascular Cover
1
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
This convex, sheet-eroded upper slope supports a floristically depauperate oak/ mountain-laurel forest. Quercus montana is the most abundant overstory tree, with Quercus alba and Quercus coccinea also present in significant numbers. Young Fagus grandifolia appears to be invading the understory, along with Ilex opaca, Acer rubrum, and Nyssa syvlatica. There is very little oak recruitment, and true herbs are nearly absent.