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
5
m
Field Height
6
m
Tree Cover
35
%
Shrub Cover
50
%
Field Cover
10
%
Nonvascular Cover
10
%
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 the most xeric and "barren" of the Edinburg Gap complex (see also GLNF044, GLNF045, GLNF046), with extensive, erosive soils and channery exposed on the surface of a steep side slope. Scrubby Pinus virginiana strongly dominates the woody vegetation, and overall species-richness is notably low. Herb cover is low to sparse.