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
27
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
70
%
Shrub Cover
20
%
Field Cover
10
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
The plot was located in the least disturbed part of an extensive montane oak-hickory stand that occupies the upper east slope of Great North Mountain north of Big Schloss. This site suffered devastating damage from severe gypsy moth outbreaks 15-20 years ago. Many parts of the stand lost all canopy trees and are currently regenerating in dense sapling thickets of ash, hickory, locust, and some oaks. Exotic and weedy native species have become rampant because of the canopy disturbance and associated increase in illumination. The sampled quadrat experienced a reduction of large-tree density, but large white oaks and red hickories survived the infestation. Young hickories are now abundant in small gaps where associated chestnut oaks died. Despite being less disturbed, the stand has below-average herbaceous richness for this type of vegetation, perhaps because of heavy deer grazing.
0-3 cm: leaf litter
3-6 cm: organic matter
6-11 cm: medium brown sandy loam
11+ cm: light brown sandy loam with stones
Disturbance Data:
Disturbance Type
Disturbance Intensity
Disturbance Comment
unknown
Major gypsy moth outbreak 15-20 years ago; some canopy oaks in and around the plot died at that time. No evidence of an active gypsy moth population was seen.
