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
100
m²
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Tree Height
6
m
Shrub Height
5
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
35
%
Shrub Cover
30
%
Field Cover
5
%
Nonvascular Cover
45
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot situated in a stunted, Pinus virginiana-dominated woodland occupying the summit and ledges of an exposed sandstone clifftop, as well as free-standing pinnacles below. The site is situated on the uppermost section of a very long and steep gorge slope bordering Russell Fork. Exposed pavements create small openings with ericaceous thickets and limited herbaceous lithophytes rooted in moss and organic mats. The dominant pines are scattered, but considerable young recruitment is present. Prominent non-vascular mosses and lichens include Lasalia papulosa, Xanthoparmelia sp., Flavoparmelia baltimorensis, Leucobryum glaucum, Grimmia sp., Cladonia rangiferina, Cladonia cf. subtenuis, Cladonia chlorophaea, and many crustose lichens.