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
33
m
Shrub Height
5
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
80
%
Shrub Cover
25
%
Field Cover
20
%
Nonvascular Cover
4
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
An open, fairly mature stand of Quercus alba dominates the portion of this gentle ridge where the plot is located. This stand is the best forest remnant in the vicinity; most of the stand is younger, more disturbed, and dominated by Liriodendron tulipifera. Although quite patchy, the herb layer contains a diverse assortment of dry and dry-mesic shrubs and herbs. This stand was probably disturbed by livestock grazing in the past. Currently, overstory gaps are being invaded by Liriodendron and Fagus grandifolia has become established in the understory, indicative of a long-term successional transition to more mesophytic forest vegetation.