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
20
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
80
%
Shrub Cover
85
%
Field Cover
2
%
Nonvascular Cover
0.5
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
This appears to be a relatively young stand of oaks and red maple on a dry, oligotrophic south slope. Dense colonies of mountain-laurel are characteristic of the shrub layer. Although no evidence of fire was seen, multiple wind disturbances have have occurred throughout the stand, resulting in gaps and an abundance of coarse and fine woody debris. The plot sample contains four oak species (Quercus alba, Q. montana, Q. coccinea, Q. rubra) in various age/size classes. However, red maple leads all potential canopy species in total density and will likely increase in dominance over time in the absence of fire. This vegetation is typical of extensive areas on the upper south slope of Garden Mountain.
