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
5
m
Field Height
6
m
Tree Cover
90
%
Shrub Cover
55
%
Field Cover
45
%
Nonvascular Cover
1
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot was positioned on a low, narrow divide between two ravines that feed into a large cove on Clinch Mountain. It captures a secondary forest of mixed oaks with an understory consisting largely of magnolias and red maple. The herb layer is moderately dense and dominated by ferns. There is some oak recruitment in this stand, although outnumbered by non-oak species. A large scarlet oak is rooted outside the plot but contributes overhanging cover.
0-2 cm: packed leaf litter
2-3 cm: humus, dense roots
3+ cm: slightly yellow-brown sandy-silty loam with many small stones
Disturbance Data:
Disturbance Type
Disturbance Intensity
Disturbance Comment
unknown
Stump-sprouted oaks indicate historical logging. Many shrubs recently top-killed and now re-sprouting, presumably from a fire; minor wind damage. Hemlocks still have most of their foliage.
