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
15
m
Shrub Height
5
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
80
%
Shrub Cover
25
%
Field Cover
45
%
Nonvascular Cover
4
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
This plot captures a rather dry, acidic oak-hickory forest on the strongly convex brow of the upper, NW flank of Potts Mountain, south of Hanging Rock. In contrast to the more prevalent, rich and lush oak-hickory stands that occupy the crest (see JNNF023), this stand is representative of smaller areas with thinner, drier soils and a distinctly different herbaceous composition. Although the trees are not large, it lies within a substantial area mapped as potential old-age forest by Jesse Overcash (USFS). Quercus alba and Q. rubra co-dominate the overstory, and both have excellent recruitment in the subcanopy. Carya glabra and C. ovalis are also abundant, but mostly in the understory and mostly in smaller diameter classes than the stunted, spreading oaks. Ostrya virginiana is a common small tree/shrub, but true shrubs are sparse. The herb layer is patch-dominated by graminoids, especially Deschampsia flexuosa, Carex pensylvanica, and Calamagrostis porteri.
