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
32
m
Shrub Height
5
m
Field Height
7
m
Tree Cover
95
%
Shrub Cover
5
%
Field Cover
20
%
Nonvascular Cover
2
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot on steep, locally rocky lower slope subtending the North Mayo River. Areas of old erosion are evident on the slope, but the vegetation is a mature forest dominated by Fagus grandifolia in all strata, and containing some Liriodendron and Carya alba in the overstory. The shrub layer is abnormally sparse and almost all shrub species are < 0.5 m tall; this may reflect the effects of long-term deer browsing. Although very open (~20% cover) and containing many woody seedlings, the herb layer is surprisingly diverse and contains a number of species that suggest a base-rich soil. The south end of the plot is situation on the VA-NC line with approximately 3 sq. m. of NC included. The stand extends into North Carolina.
Leaf litter of variable depth, absent to ~3 cm.
0-5 cm: medium brown clay loam
5-22+ cm: red clay loam
Disturbance Data:
Disturbance Type
Disturbance Intensity
Disturbance Comment
unknown
Ailanthus seedlings present; old road along river; only seedlings and sprouts of Cornus florida present (no trees); a standing dead Carya alba in plot.