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
33
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
85
%
Shrub Cover
30
%
Field Cover
60
%
Nonvascular Cover
25
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Sampling site is a bouldery convexity on a lower slope of the Little Stony Creek gorge. Exposed boulders and stones cover about 30% of the ground surface and are themselves covered with bryophytes. Ephemeral stream channels run through the south side of the plot. This ~ 3-acre area has vegetation indicative of soils more fertile than those of the surrounding forest, which is an acidic cove forest. Here, Liriodendron tulipifera dominates the overstory, but Quercus alba, Magnolia acuminata, Acer saccharum, Carya ovata. Betula lenta, and Fraxinus americana are also present in canopy and/or sub-canopy layers. The herb layer is fairly lush with ferns, Iris cristata, Solidago flexicaulis, and other nutrient-demanding forbs. Although fairly young, the stand is developing into a fine mixed mesophytic forest.