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
29
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
85
%
Shrub Cover
60
%
Field Cover
30
%
Nonvascular Cover
0.5
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot is representative of an even-aged white oak stand occupying a shallow swale / ravine head on a gentle Piedmont upland. Despite overwhelming overstory dominance by oaks, there is very little oak recruitment and the understory is dominated by red maple, blackgum, and hickories. This dryish, open forest vegetation is deceptively diverse, with many herbaceous species present in low numbers and at low cover. The reduced state and lack of flowering/fruiting individuals in this herbaceous flora is likely the result of heavy, prolonged grazing pressure by white-tailed deer. The increased species diversity over nearby oak/heath forests (see plots FLUV010 and FLUV013) is attributable to the concave landform, which probably contributes to slightly greater soil moisture.
No recent anthropogenic disturbance. No stump-sprouted trees present, indicating stand regenerated following clearing or clear-cutting. One Quercus stellata snag (35 cm DBH) at west edge of plot. Several dead and dying dogwoods in plot. Heavy deer browsing on Rhododendron periclymenoides.