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
6
m
Tree Cover
80
%
Shrub Cover
45
%
Field Cover
65
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot is representative of northern red oak forests that cover the gentle upper slopes and summit of Glade Mountain. The canopy is composed of two cohorts: 1) large, open-grown red and white oaks, and 2) young, even-aged red oaks. The older trees were probably present when the top of this mountain was cleared and pastured, while the younger cohort regenerated once livestock grazing ceased. More recently, most recruitment has been of red maple. Ferns dominate the herb layer, possibly the result of long-term selective grazing by deer. Abundant fine woody debris from wind and ice storms is present on the ground.
