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
34
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
6
m
Tree Cover
95
%
Shrub Cover
45
%
Field Cover
25
%
Nonvascular Cover
30
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot was sampled in the most mature part of an extensive mixed forest stand along Cub Run in a valley of the Massanutten Mountains. The sample area is on an elevated terrace / toe slope with high surface cover of small (<1m diameter), moss-covered sandstone boulders in the southern portion. A 10 X 40 m configuration was used to maintain habitat uniformity within the plot, and also to capture a representative sample of a very mixed overstory with scattered large trees. Liriodendron tulipifera is the leading dominant, but Quercus alba, Quercus rubra, Pinus strobus, Fraxinus americana, Acer rubrum, and Tsuga canadensis are common associates. Tsuga canadensis, Acer rubrum, and Betula lenta are the principal subcanopy trees in and near the plot. The shrub and herb floras are fairly diverse.