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
21
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
80
%
Shrub Cover
50
%
Field Cover
25
%
Nonvascular Cover
1
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot is representative of xeric oak - white pine / heath forest vegetation occupying the crest and upper slopes of a shale spur ridge. The canopy is composed mostly of Quercus montana and Q. alba, while the understory is heavily dominated by recruitment of Pinus strobus, which far exceeds the oaks in density of stems > 2.5 cm DBH. In the absence of fire, Pinus strobus can be expected to increase and attain greater importance in the future overstory of this stand.