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
5
m
Field Height
1
m
Tree Cover
70
%
Shrub Cover
55
%
Field Cover
40
%
Nonvascular Cover
45
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot captures a forested boulderfield on a lower slope along the Potomac River. The overstory here is dominated by Tilia americana, with Acer saccharum and Juglans nigra also present. Acer saccharum, Ulmus rubra, Asimina triloba, Staphylea trifolia, and Lindera benzoin are common in the understory and shrub layers. High rock cover somewhat limits herbaceous density, but high calcium levels in the pockets of colluvial soil support a number of nutrient-demanding spring ephemerals. As the season progresses, Impatiens pallida attains higher cover and dominates the late-season aspect.