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
800
m²
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Tree Height
32
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
8
m
Tree Cover
85
%
Shrub Cover
56
%
Field Cover
36
%
Nonvascular Cover
0.5
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot represents a small stand of mature and "classic" oak-hickory forest on the slope of a shallow ravine. According to DOF, the stand originated in 1877, which probably represents the age of the oldest white oaks and hickories. No evidence of recent human disturbance was noted. An 800 square meter plot was sampled to adequately capture the diverse overstory composition. Unlike many Piedmont oak and oak-hickory stands, which are suffering from oak decline and the invasion of tolerant species such as beech and red maple, this stand has excellent oak and hickory recruitment and only a modest representation of tolerant species in the understory. In addition, dogwoods, which are abundant in the shrub layer, have been less affected by anthracnose than in most similar stands. The plot has impressive species-richness and outstanding herb diversity for an acidic oak forest, and no exotics were recorded. [Update, 2009-10-07:] Returned to this site with Tom Dierauf and found that the entire stand had been clear-cut.
