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
38
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
85
%
Shrub Cover
60
%
Field Cover
75
%
Nonvascular Cover
1
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
The plot was placed in one of several small areas of rich mesophytic hardwood forest on the east-facing slopes along Laurel Fork. These stands are interspersed among more typical acidic cove forests with dense understories of Rhododendron maximum. The forest in the sample is dominated by large individuals of Tilia americana var. heterophylla and Liriodendron tulipifera, with Lindera benzoin and Carpinus caroliniana sharing dominance of the shrub layer. The herb layer is lush and dense with nutrient-demanding forbs (e.g., Cimicifuga racemosa, Asarum canadense, Caulophyllum thalictroides, Adiantum pedatum, Laportea canadensis), which contrasts sharply with the sparse herb layers of the adjacent acidic cove forests. The occurrence of "rich" vegetation in an otherwise strongly acidic landscape is probably related to the occurrence of a mapped belt of mafic rocks (actinolite schist) that are part of the heterogeneous Alligator Back Formation.
leaf litter averages ~ 2 cm over plot.
A horizon = medium-brown loam with stones.
Disturbance Data:
Disturbance Type
Disturbance Intensity
Disturbance Comment
unknown
A few scattered, old stumps in area. Extensive areas of Rhododendron maximum mortality on more acidic slopes and cove bottom adjacent to plot. No pathogens or other obvious causes of this mortality were evident.