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
29
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
90
%
Shrub Cover
40
%
Field Cover
45
%
Nonvascular Cover
0.5
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
This fairly mature mixed oak forest is part of an extensive stand on the middle, convex side slopes of First Mountain that has not been disturbed by recent logging. Quercus alba and Q. montana are the most abundant overstory trees, with Q. rubra and Q. velutina occasional associates. Oak recruitment is sparse, and Acer rubrum and Carya glabra are prevalent in the understory. Formerly common large Cornus florida is now all dead, although seedling / sapling regeneration of this species is abundant. Huge colonies of Rhododendron periclymenoides <0.5 m tall suggests heavy and repeated herbivory by white-tailed deer. No herbaceous species achieves 1% cover in the plot; herbs are probably constrained both by deer pressure and heavy competition from the root mats of colonial ericads.
Several dogwood snags in plot. Heavy deer browse on Solidago spp., other herbs, and deciduous ericads. Salvage-cut stumps just outside plot. Forest road ca. 20 m downslope from plot.
