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
9
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
50
%
Shrub Cover
15
%
Field Cover
45
%
Nonvascular Cover
35
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Woodland vegetation with relatively high cover of herbs was not seen elsewhere on Old Rag Mountain. The stand occupies a flat bench at the top of and behind a massive granitic cliff. Pinus pungens dominates the open stunted woodland, which covers only ca. 0.5 ha. Under the trees, patches of deciduous ericads in a low shrub layer alternate with dense patches of mixed graminoids and forbs. A large fire in October 2000 burned this site extensively and probably contributed to the current vigor of herbaceous plants in this community.