Intensive 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
1500
m²
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Tree Height
25
m
Shrub Height
2
m
Field Height
9
m
Tree Cover
20
%
Shrub Cover
5
%
Field Cover
95
%
Nonvascular Cover
15
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Stand is located in burn unit 1 of Piney Grove Preserve. Hardwood midstory and overstory are non-existent. Fire sprouts abound, particularly of Liquid styraciflua and Acer rubrum, but many of the taller and apparently older sprouts have been killed by repeated burning. Stand continues to bear signature of former land use, most notably old tracks and uneven microtopography which suggests past agriculture. Local landform is a subtle swale, although this concavity is not apparent except beyond the scale of the plot. Standing water is never present, but soil is apparently saturated intermittently, although not with any regular seasonal periodicity.
2004-10-06: Dominance patterns vary considerably among modules. Far end of plot (modules 5 and 6) has least graminoid cover and lowest statured herbaceous vegetation. Clethra and low ericads abound among scattered Chasmanthium laxum, Scirpus cyperinus, and Andropogon spp. There are also numerous pine seedlings at this end of the plot; most are brown except for terminal few cm. Andropogon glomeratus is especially abundant in module 10. High cover of Dichanthelium dichotomum and advancement of Liquidambar seedlings above breast height may reflect a lack of fire in recent years. Deep ruts from past logging operations are especially evident in modules 4-7.
