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
8
m
Tree Cover
90
%
Shrub Cover
40
%
Field Cover
25
%
Nonvascular Cover
0.5
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot was established in a species-rich, mixed oak - hickory stand on a slope above the Shenandoah River at the east foot of Massanutten Mountain. The underlying Martinsburg shale has weathered into a fine, moderately calcareous silt loam that is well exposed in patches on the steep slope. Mockernut hickory and several oaks share overstory dominance, but most younger tree recruitment is of red maple. Shrub and herb composition suggest "richness," but herbs have relatively low cover, perhaps due to heavy deer grazing and the late date of sampling. Many species were exhibiting drought stress at the time of sampling.