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
32
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
80
%
Shrub Cover
55
%
Field Cover
40
%
Nonvascular Cover
2
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
The plot was positioned on a narrow, convex spur on the side slope of a knob along Meade Branch. Most of the surrounding area is underlain by limestone and dolomite, but the sampled slope is underlain by shale and soil fertility is notably lower than in most of the area, although still moderately calcareous. Nevertheless, the vegetation here proved to be an extraordinarily species-rich forest dominated by several oaks and sugar maple and containing 108 vascular plant taxa. Quercus muhlenbergii is notably absent, as are any exotics or weedy species. The herb flora is remarkably diverse.