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
100
m²
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Tree Height
7
m
Shrub Height
5
m
Field Height
25
m
Tree Cover
12
%
Shrub Cover
15
%
Field Cover
2
%
Nonvascular Cover
90
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot was placed on the summit of Big Schloss, a large, exposure of sandstone caprock that straddles the Virginia - West Virginia border on Great North Mountain. Because of extremely irregular topography, the sample was limited to 100 square meters. The habitat consists of open, lichen-covered outcrop faces and ledges with shrubs and small trees rooted in cracks and depressions that support mats of organic accumulations. There is likely a rattlesnake hibernaculum somewhere on Big Schloss; a possibly gravid female of this species was discovered under a small pitch pine during sampling.
Soil consists of very local accumulations of sand and organic matter in crevices and depressions.
0-1 cm: sand and litter
1-10+ cm: sand and organic soil
Disturbance Data:
Disturbance Type
Disturbance Intensity
Disturbance Comment
unknown
Trail to overlook on outcrop adjacent. Minor trampling from recreational use in area of plot.