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
36
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
1
m
Tree Cover
90
%
Shrub Cover
80
%
Field Cover
95
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot captures a lush mesophytic forest with very large Liriodendron tulipifera forming a tall canopy over somewhat shorter Fraxinus americana. The stand has a nearly continuous and dense shrub cover of Lindera benzoin and a luxurient herb layer of leafy, colonial forbs. Maianthemum racemosum is phenomenally abundant here. The stand is representative of the mesic end of the habitat gradient within the old-age Montpelier Landmark Forest. Soils here are deep, well-drained, full base-saturated, and high in calcium, magensium, and manganese.