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
36
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
7
m
Tree Cover
95
%
Shrub Cover
60
%
Field Cover
90
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
This plot was positioned on the northeast- facing side of a shallow ravine in the bluff along the Potomac River. The site supports relatively mature, luxuriant mesophytic forest vegetation. Nutrient-demanding spring ephemerals such as Caulophyllum thalictroides (dominant), Hydrophyllum virginianum, Dicentra cucullaria, and many others are dense and vigorous in the calcium- and magensium-rich soil. The likely source of nutrients are dikes of amphibolite which intrude the Mather Gorge schist along the bluff in Scotts Run Nature Preserve.