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
18
m
Shrub Height
5
m
Field Height
1
m
Tree Cover
75
%
Shrub Cover
40
%
Field Cover
95
%
Nonvascular Cover
0.5
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
An extensive, Quercus rubra-dominated forest occupies the high-elevation crest and upper slopes of the Great North Mountain ridge NE of Elliott Knob. This plot documents the more mesic variant of the stand, which occurs on concave topography and easterly aspects (see also GDNF009 for the more xeric variant). The dominant red oaks in this plot are considerably larger and taller than those growing on nearby, less protected sites. Shrubs are patchy to absent, giving the stand a somewhat savanna-like appearence. The herbaceous flora is dominated by a dense and extensive clone of Dennstaedtia punctilobula, except at the upslope north end of the plot, where a patch of Calamagrostis canadensis co-dominates. Much of this area was likely subjected to historical livestock grazing, which may have contributed to the current stand structure.
