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
36
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
1
m
Tree Cover
85
%
Shrub Cover
50
%
Field Cover
80
%
Nonvascular Cover
0.5
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot positioned on a steep lower slope of a narrow ravine. Although SW-facing, the slope is quite sheltered and the lush vegetation suggests that it has downcut into limesand or some other weathered calcareous Tertiary deposits. The current forest canopy is somewhat open due to a large blow-down and the death of a medium-sized Ulmus rubra. Liriodendron tulipifera, Fagus grandifolia, and Carya cordiformis share dominance, and a large Quercus rubra rooted outside the plot also overhangs it. Fagus recruitment is present in every sub-canopy strata, while Asimina triloba is common in the shrub layer. The herb layer is very lush with large fern patches of Deparia acrostichoides and Diplazium pycnocarpon, both uncommon in the Coastal Plain. Several other nutrient-demanding species, e.g., Cimicifuga racemosa, Adiantum pedatum, Laportea canadensis, and Mitella diphylla, are also present. The rich forests in the lower part of this ravine and the next ravine to the southwest are very similar and stand in strong contrast to the prevalent acidic forests of the uplands around Owl Hollow.
