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
31
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
1
m
Tree Cover
90
%
Shrub Cover
70
%
Field Cover
30
%
Nonvascular Cover
12
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
A medium-age, post-disturbance hardwood forest with mixed overstory dominance by mesic-site oaks and hickories. Underlying bedrock is limestone of the Conococheague Formation, and soils are deep, fertile, and well-drained. Bitternut hickory is one of the canopy dominants and young recruitment of this species also dominates the understory. Most curious is the complete absence of sugar maple from this site. An early-season revisit is recommended, as many spring ephemerals were probably missed during the late-season survey.