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
9
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
7
m
Tree Cover
40
%
Shrub Cover
45
%
Field Cover
40
%
Nonvascular Cover
1
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot is typical of much of a very extensive shale barren complex on the steep, southeast-facing slopes flanking Browns Hollow near New Market Gap. Composition of this stand is more characteristic of typical shale barrens than that of GLNF038, and lacks calciphiles. Soil chemistry data also indicate a more typical, extremely acidic, nutrient-poor status. Stunted Pinus virginiana and Quercus montana more or less share dominance of the open woodland vegetation.
0-4 cm: medium brown dry silty soil with small shale fragments and organic matter in patches
4+ cm: light brown / yellowish brown silty soil with larger rocks.
Many areas with exposed substrate and no vegetation or organic litter.