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 Cover
90
%
Shrub Cover
30
%
Field Cover
50
%
Nonvascular Cover
45
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Vegetation here is a dry mesic boulderfield forest heavily dominated by Fraxinus americana and Tilia americana. The herbaceous flora contains a number of more or less nutrient demanding species, but the overall herbaceous stratum cover is somewhat limited by numerous boulders.
Plot location: Shenandoah NP. Boulderfield below small cliffs just north of the Appalachian Trail, 0.25 miles west of its junction with Saddleback Mountain Trail and 0.3 miles ESE of Hensley Hollow Overlook on Skyline Drive.
Profile development uncertain. Organic rich loamy material with many small rocks present in small interstitial pockets among surficial and subsurficial stones and boulders. Very difficult to extract sample.
Disturbance Data:
Disturbance Type
Disturbance Intensity
Disturbance Comment
unknown
Logged >65 years ago. Noticeable deer grazing on Polymnia canadensis. Old American chestnut bole in plot.