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
20
m
Shrub Height
4
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
75
%
Shrub Cover
50
%
Field Cover
45
%
Nonvascular Cover
15
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot is on the broad, convex upper slope of a limestone knob that is semi-enclosed by a meander loop in Copper Creek. The site is dry but fertile, with stony soils of exceedingly high calcium content. Vegetation is a dry forest co-dominated by variable combinations of Quercus alba, Q. muhlenbergii, and Q. shumardii. Oak recruitment is poor and Acer saccharum dominates the sub-canopy. The shrub and herb floras are diverse, and overall species-richness (80 taxa per 400 sq. m.) is high. The stand is a remnant of older forest on an upland used extensively for grazing in the past.