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
9
m
Shrub Height
5
m
Field Height
9
m
Tree Cover
50
%
Shrub Cover
60
%
Field Cover
35
%
Nonvascular Cover
10
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot captures a somewhat unusual shale barren formed by stream incision through Martinsburg shale in Edinburg Gap of the Massanutten Mountains. The barren is the largest of several occupying the warm aspects of slopes subtending side ravines of the gap. The habitat is a xeric, moderately steep ridge spur with several large outcrops on its flank. This stand differs from other shale barrens of the area (see GLNF044, GLNF045, GLNF047) in having relatively high species-richness with several calciphiles present. Soil chemistry data from samples collected here confirm that soil pH, calcium, and magnesium are significantly higher than in soils from other nearby barrens. Fraxinus americana and Carya glabra are important associates of the oaks, and Pinus virginiana is relatively uncommon. In addition, the typical shale-barren graminoids are less numerous than forbs, several of which (Paronychia montana, Clitoria mariana, Eriogonum allenii) for large patches.