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
12
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
70
%
Shrub Cover
90
%
Field Cover
20
%
Nonvascular Cover
35
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot is representative of xeric but somewhat sheltered oak/heath forests on the upper NW flank of Catawba Mountain. Dominant Quercus montana overstory trees are stunted and relatively small (up to 40 cm DBH), but may be quite old. Although no evidence of fire was noted, the presence of scattered Pinus pungens suggests past burning. Kalmia latifolia greatly dominates the dense shrub layer, although relatively few stems reach 2.5 cm DBH. Ten herbaceous species occur in the stand; the shade-tolerant Galax urceolata is the only one with significant cover.
