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
26
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
70
%
Shrub Cover
30
%
Field Cover
60
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
The plot is representative of the upper southeast-facing slope of Brushy Mountain east of Kimberling Creek, along the Appalachian Trail. Forest vegetation here contrasts sharply with the acidic chestnut oak - scarlet oak /heath forests on the southwest-facing end of the mountain, and with the disturbed forests of white pine, hemlock, and acidic cove hardwoods located downslope at the southeastern foot of the mountain. The sampled stand is a dry-mesic oak-hickory forest with extraordinary species richness; 105 species were recorded in a 400 sq. m. quadrat and many additional taxa were observed outside the plot in similar vegetation. The trees are not particularly large and probably not particularly old. Quercus alba is the leading canopy dominant, with diverse associates of Q. rubra, Q. velutina, Carya ovalis, C. ovata, and C. alba. The shrub layer is rather sparse and the herb layer contains a profusion of dry-site forbs and graminoids, the most abundant of which are Dichanthelium boscii, Danthonia spicata, and Carex pensylvanica. A large population of the globally rare mint Pycnanthemum clinopodioides is an especially noteworth component of the vegetation. An abundance of Rubus spp., as well as the presence of pine snags and several low-cover exotics, suggest past disturbances that may include clearing, cutting, and/or grazing. Basal fire scars on trees both in and outside the plot indicate past burning. Except for manganese, soil cation levels are generally low to very low.
