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
75
%
Shrub Cover
50
%
Field Cover
70
%
Nonvascular Cover
1
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot is located on the very broad, rolling to sub-level crest of Osborn Ridge, in an extensive oak/heath forest. Quercus montana is scarce to absent here, with Quercus alba, Q. coccinea, and Q. velutina forming most of the overstory. Deciduous ericads dominate the shrub and field layers, with patches of tall Vaccinium corymbosum and Oxydendrum arboreum over low colonies of Gaylussacia baccata and Vaccinium pallidum. The overall vegetation, however, is deceptively diverse and contains many low-cover herbs, as well as a few (Galax urceolata, Gaultheria procumbens, Osmunda cinnamomea) that exceed 1% cover.