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:
Shrub Height
4
m
Field Height
1
m
Shrub Cover
8
%
Field Cover
65
%
Nonvascular Cover
45
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot captures a classic shale ridge prairie / bald on a narrow, sharply convex ridge spur. Plot runs 40 m lengthwise down spine and 10 m down the WSW side, where herbaceous vegetation with widely scattered trees (4m tall) prevails. The ENE slope of the spur is steeper and supports Quercus montana - Pinus virginiana shale woodland. Exposed outcrops of Chemung (Devonian) shale and numerous shale fragments are present at the soil surface. While the habitat has the general aspect of a shale barren, soils are more stable than on the more typical, actively eroding barrens undercut by streams. The vegetation contains several characteristic and endemic shale barren species, but has higher graminoid cover than more typical shale barrens.
