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
5
m
Field Height
6
m
Tree Cover
85
%
Shrub Cover
20
%
Field Cover
30
%
Nonvascular Cover
10
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
This slope of Short Mountain supports a beautiful Carya ovalis - Quercus montana - Quercus alba stand that has been undisturbed for an extended period. This stand is unusually mature for this kind of productive oak-hickory forest in the Massanutten Mountain area. Carya ovalis dominates the understory (all strata) but Acer rubrum saplings have recently increased. A good diversity of low-cover herbs is present.