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
4
m
Field Height
6
m
Tree Cover
40
%
Shrub Cover
30
%
Field Cover
25
%
Nonvascular Cover
3
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot captures a typical shale barren formed by stream incision through Martinsburg shale in Edinburg Gap of the Massanutten Mountains. The barren is one of several occupying the warm aspects of slopes subtending side ravines of the gap. The habitat is a xeric, moderately steep ridge spur with some hard outcrops. Soils are relatively stable compared to those of steeper, side-slope barrens nearby, and composed of fine silt and abundant exposed channery. The variant represented in the sample co-dominated by stunted Pinus virginiana and Quercus rubra, with Carya glabra also common. Quercus montana is uncommon. Selaginella rupestris forms substantial dominance patches in some parts of the barren.