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
30
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
1
m
Tree Cover
90
%
Shrub Cover
60
%
Field Cover
70
%
Nonvascular Cover
50
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
This plot is located on a lower, concave, northeast-facing slope along Mill Creek. It contrasts sharply with plot MONT016, which is located on the opposite (SW-facing) slope of the ravine ca. 0.15 km to the northeast. The site is highly mesic, covered by mossy dolomite boulders, and has abundant subsurface groundwater; a rocky seep is located immediately to the north of, and adjacent to, the plot. Vegetation is a classic rich, mesophytic forest with a lush herb layer of calciphilic and other nutrient-demanding ferns and forbs. Apparently even-age Acer nigrum, Tilia americana, and Fraxinus americana share dominance of the canopy, with Acer nigrum attaining the highest overall stem density. The Tilia in the plot appeared to be var. americana, but var. heterophylla was also seen in the area. Staphylea trifolia is the most common shrub, while Cystopteris bulbifera, Cimicifuga racemosa, and C. americana form strong dominance patches in the her layer. Jeffersonia diphylla also forms sizeable patches on this slope, but was not captured in the plot.