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
1000
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
6
m
Field Height
75
m
Tree Cover
80
%
Shrub Cover
40
%
Field Cover
30
%
Nonvascular Cover
5
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
The plot is representative of an extensive mafic "flatwoods" dominated by medium-aged oaks, hickories, and white ash. The understory is rather sparse and several graminoids - especially Muhlenbergia sobolifera, Piptochaetium avenaceum, Danthonia spicata, Brachyelytrum erectum, and Elymus hystrix - are patch-dominant in the herb layer, which seems abnormally low in total cover. Because overstory composition varies greatly over small spatial scales, a 1000 sq. m. releve was sampled in order to capture the range of canopy trees. At the time of sampling, conditions were very dry and the soil was parched. The plot location is very close to a mapped boundary between the Piney Mills mafic complex and Triassic diabase; spheroidal boulders at the soil surface in and near the plot suggest that the actual geologic substrate is diabase. The main problem with this forest is a very heavy level of deer herbivory and the presence (outside the plot) of patches of the invasive grass Microstegium vimineum, which is almost certain to become more abundant over time. A spring visit is needed to check for ephemerals and other species that might have died back during the droughty, late-season conditions.
