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
28
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
70
%
Shrub Cover
60
%
Field Cover
60
%
Nonvascular Cover
0.5
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
This plot is similar to JBNF031 and is located on a convex upper slope about 0.6 km west of the latter. Loose rocks at the surface appear to be a whitish sandstone. At this site, elevation is somewhat lower and soils are drier and rockier, allowing considerable admixture of Quercus montana with the dominant Q. rubra. Betula lenta, so abundant in JBNF031, is absent and Acer rubrum strongly dominates the understory with Acer pensylvanicum. Ferns are sparse and low clones of Vaccinium erythrocarpum form large dominance patches in the herb layer. As elevation lowers downslope to the west, this stand fully transitions to a Quercus montana forest with very dense ericaceous shrub layer.