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
25
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
70
%
Shrub Cover
80
%
Field Cover
15
%
Nonvascular Cover
0.5
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
The sample is a xerophytic, nutrient-poor forest characteristic of the upper west flank of a low spur ridge underlain by shale. Scarlet oak, sourwood, and mountain-laurel are dominants in the overstory, understory, and shrub strata, respectively. The stand appears to represent even-age regeneration following clear-cutting; large, old table-mountain pines are also scattered throughout the area, suggesting a history of fire. Some oak regeneration is present on this site, but red maple and hemlock are conspicuous mesophytic invaders in the understory.